The mission of Casa Serena, Inc., is to provide effective treatment services and a safe, sober living environment to women suffering from the disease of alcoholism or who are addicted to alcohol and other drugs; to introduce them to the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12-Step process; and to promote community awareness of Casa Serena.
Residents engage in group and individual counseling sessions and are taught the tools of the recovery process in order to live their lives free of alcohol and drugs. Casa Serena instills a sense of hope, self-esteem and community in women attempting to change their lives.
Our Houses
Main House: Phase 1, a structured 90-day program
Grad House: Phase 2, longer-term care (up to 9 months)
Oliver House: Women with children
History
Casa Serena opened its doors to alcoholic women in August of 1959 primarily through the efforts of our founder Mildred Pinheiro. Recovering from alcoholism herself, Mildred wanted to open the home "because there was no place here for a woman alcoholic to go for help." The house was originally a project of the Santa Barbara Committee on Alcoholism (now the Santa Barbara Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse) but became a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in 1973.
At the core of our successes are three beautifully cared for and welcoming homes. The original house on Bath Street is able to accommodate 22 women and serves as the initial entry point to Casa Serena's program. In the early 1990s we purchased a second home nearby on Castillo Street. The Grad House is home to an additional 10 women, who are participating in the second phase of Casa Serena's program.
In 2000 we acquired Oliver House, located on the Mesa. Oliver House is home to 6 women and 12 children who are also participating in the second phase of Casa's program. Oliver House is the only residential facility in Santa Barbara that will accept both recovering women and their children. With a total capacity of 38 women and 12 children, we provide a caring staff and a simple yet gracious and dignified setting in which to live and grow. Casa Serena has given more than 6,000 women a firm foundation on which to begin their recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
Admission Criteria
Casa Serena provides recovery treatment services to women over the age of 18 who are seeking recovery from alcohol and drug dependence. A woman must be clean and sober for a minimum of 24 hours prior to entry and be willing to commit to the program for at least 90 days. Prior to acceptance, a woman must participate in a face-to-face interview with one of our counselors, have a current TB test (within 6 months) and make financial arrangements to cover the cost of her program.
Casa Serena welcomes referrals from employers, employee assistance programs, social services and criminal justice agencies. Acceptance and participation are the same for everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, age or disability.
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