40 for 40: Jelani Mission Recovery House - 1986
Friday, September 14, 2012 at 11:38AM 
The year was etched in humankind’s collective memory by some of history’s darkest moments: the world’s worst nuclear accident occurred in Chernobyl; US President Ronald Reagan ordered military air attacks on Libyan “terrorist centers,” and millions watched in horror as US Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launching, killing all crew aboard.
That year also had its lighter and more positive moments: Nintendo released its blockbuster Super Mario Brothers while Oprah made her eponymous debut and pop stars Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie and Prince ruled the airwaves. And in San Francisco, a facility currently known as Jelani Mission Recovery House, the Women’s Alcoholism Center, opened an innovative residential treatment center for women and their children.
The center’s goal was to specifically address women’s alcohol problems while breaking the intergenerational cycle of alcohol abuse by including children in the treatment. At the time, a facility where women could live with their children in a structured and sober environment was relatively radical. Director Rhonda Ceccato wanted to create a comprehensive program “to encourage abstinence as a way of life while maintaining family unity.”
AND played a key role searching for, and identifying a site—a double-wide lot with an existing structure—and converting it into a residence for 21 women and children. On the other half of the site, AND designed offices, child care facilities and therapy rooms, totaling 3,400 SF. Knitting the two buildings together is a courtyard that maximizes natural light in both and provides entry into ground-floor community rooms. A landscaped yard with play structure for the child care program was designed by Miller Company Landscape Architects. In creating a safe space comprised of separate but related buildings, the Mission Recovery House provides an atmosphere where women in recovery are supported and live with dignity. AND is proud of its work helping women and children overcome substance abuse while supporting family stability.
