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Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday that Unity House will receive a five-year, $2.8 million state grant to open a Clubhouse — a community-based recovery program for adults with serious mental illness — in Auburn. Unity House was one of just seven organizations statewide selected to receive the funding. “The Clubhouse model is inclusive and member-driven,”… Read the full article: Gov. Hochul Awards Unity House $2.8 Million to Open Mental Health “Clubhouse” in Auburn

Morgan O’Neil, 29, has battled substance use since her teenage years. “I started drinking at 15,” she said. “I was throwing parties every weekend when my stepdad wasn’t home.” At 17, Morgan was prescribed opiates. That quickly led to dependence. Heroin and fentanyl use soon followed. By her mid-20s, even Morgan’s sales jobs at liquor… Read the full article: A Long Road to Recovery: Morgan’s Story

April Rendsland is a caseworker at Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services. She was a direct support professional at Unity House from 2017-2019, and currently sits on the board of directors of East Hill Medical Center. April holds a bachelor’s in human service and development from SUNY Empire State College and recently completed… Read the full article: Unity House welcomes two new board members

At Unity House, we’re encouraged by the inclusion of a 2.7% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) in the 2026–27 New York State Budget for behavioral health and community-based services. “I am grateful to our legislative partners who have heard us and demonstrated their support and continued advocacy,” CEO Darlene Podolak said. “They know who we are… Read the full article: CEO Darlene Podolak responds to passing of 2026-27 NYS budget

Teresa Motz brought people together through laughter, friendship, food, music and dance. Hard-working and joyfully unconventional, she believed every person deserves dignity and respect. Due to a series of serious accidents, Teresa lived with chronic pain, said Unity House CEO Darlene Podolak, who met Teresa through her church. “She knew from lived experience how support,… Read the full article: A Legacy of Hope and Healing: Motz estate directs $100K to Unity House

It’s a Friday afternoon, and Richard Langendoerfer has just completed his work week as a teacher’s aide at TST BOCES. “It brings a smile to my face,” said Richard, 28. “It’s a job where I come home and think, ‘Wow, I really did something for them today.’” Not long ago, Richard was working as a… Read the full article: Fulfilling a Longtime Dream

Three years ago, Martin Kasey was in a hospital, recovering from a suicide attempt. Two years ago, he was a participant in Unity House’s PROSperity Program, attending group classes with others recovering from mental illness. With help from a PROS practitioner, he was working on his goals: earning his peer certification and applying to graduate… Read the full article: Empowered to Help Others

Harmony Hill Haines, our youngest sister, was born in August 1961. She had Down Syndrome, but that meant nothing to us, her siblings. She was just our unique and lovable little sister. We grew up on a farm in McLean, NY, between Ithaca and Cortland. Harmony flourished with all of the attention she received as… Read the full article: Composing Connection: Harmony’s Story

We are delighted to introduce our 2026 Atkins Community Service and Open Arms awardees! 15th annual OPEN ARMS AWARDEE: Julie Bennett of Aurora Julie Bennett is a 12-Step recovery advocate and owner-operator of Town & Country Dog Grooming in Aurora and Ithaca. Drawing from her lived experience, Julie offers guidance grounded in empathy and authenticity, helping… Read the full article: Unity House announces 2026 award winners