About Van L. Smith Jr.

Van Smith (right) and Mike Bleeg (left), chair of SMART, discuss re-entry strategies

Van L. Smith, Jr. is a model of successful re-entry and recovery. As Director of Recovery Houses of Rochester (RHR), Van runs programs for men in re-entry and in addiction treatment and recovery. In addition, he is a strong advocate for improving re-entry services and recovery processes. In his mid-forties, Van has already experienced three lives. Prior to living productively, Van experienced a dark period in his life where he committed offenses, was convicted, and subsequently incarcerated. Like many, he struggled with a lack of self-worth along with other fears, which caused him not to use his gifts or realize his full potential. Memories of this first phase fueled the passion and commitment for the phases that followed. During the next phase, Van experienced intense growth and learning. He developed personally and professional skills and experience, built family, accumulated resources, joined a church community, and professed his faith. While beginning his career as a Professional Addictions Therapist in the 1990s, Van realized in 1993 he needed to contribute to service delivery. It was then he studied the national Oxford House Model, which promotes recovery from addictions through nurturing, responsibility, and democratic structure. Envisioning himself as a provider of peer-supported housing for recovering alcoholics and addicts, Van began the third phase of his life with the help of others and founded RHR. Van Smith is not shy about telling his story. He knows it not only inspires others, but also strengthens him as he continues to build RHR as an organization where men, in residence and on a day-to-day basis, take ownership for their lives and begin to direct themselves on healthy, productive paths.

Copyright © 2009 Recovery Houses of Rochester,Inc.