Wine Country Times

Women’s Recovery Services (WRS), located in Santa Rosa, California, is a nonprofit organization founded in 1975 that helps families recover from a mother’s addiction. The organization’s goal is to break the cycle of addiction for women, including by providing a safe, healthy residence that allows neglected children to remain with their mothers while they learn life skills necessary to become responsible community members.

Wine Country Times recently interviewed Women’s Recovery Services (WRS) Board President Neil Martin to provide more information about himself and the organization.

Martin got involved with WRS in 2002 through volunteer work during United Way “Day of Caring” events.

"I got to know the executive director at that time, Cheryle Stanley, and she asked me to consider joining the WRS Board of Directors, which I did in 2005," Martin told Wine Country Times.

Before serving as president, Martin was on the WRS Board of Directors for 17 years and held several roles, including president, vice president and treasurer.

"We have a strong and diverse board of directors, as well as a strong and experienced executive director. It is a real pleasure to work with such a strong organization," Martin said.

Martin worked as a director at Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies and Keysight Technologies for 30 years. He was raised in a loving, stable home and didn't have any first-hand experience with substance abuse and broken families, but his parents did volunteer work.

"My parents always did volunteer work at nonprofits, and they were strong role models in this regard. Of course, substance abuse is endemic and as a result we have all met people and families impacted by substance abuse," Martin said.

As president, Martin said his most important responsibility is supporting the executive director (ED) Diane Madrigal and providing guidance to the board to set the ED’s responsibilities and conduct annual performance reviews. He leads and facilitates the monthly board meetings, and is a member of several board subcommittees. He also ensures that the board has an annual retreat where they set next year’s strategy and assesses performance related to its responsibilities.

"The reason that I have been active with WRS for so long is because I believe that our organization is making a difference," Martin said. "Not only are we able to provide treatment directly to the women in residence with us, but we are also able to positively impact the lives of their children, some of whom live with their mothers during treatment. Additionally, we know that when the women we serve become healthy, this has a positive impact on many other people in their families and communities. I think that what we do has a big positive impact in Sonoma County. I am extremely proud of the work that WRS does."

WRS offers a 120-day residential program for pregnant and parenting women as well as their kids, a children’s program and an eight-month AfterCare program. AfterCare is a weekly program provided upon successful completion of the residential program. WRS also offers up to two years for families to live in a transition home while getting back on their feet.

Women caring for infants and young children who do not have child care are not turned away from addiction treatment at WRS. While mothers attend recovery groups and classes, their children are cared for in the on-site children's program or attend nearby community schools.

WRS currently provides shelter for 52 women and children, and seeks public donations to provide shelter, food and counseling for residents. Donations help provide a safety net for women and children, including a safe place to eat and sleep, diapers and food for babies, protection from their abusers and counseling. WRS also hosts fundraisers through its Facebook page.