Feature Friday: CREDO Community Center of Addiction

Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addiction’s mission is to transform lives through quality treatment. First established in 1973, Credo is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The agency provides addiction treatment and counseling services to individuals, groups, families, adults, adolescents and children whose lives have been adversely affected by substance use disorder in the tri-county area. Over the years, the agency has adapted to meet the changing needs of the community.

Meeting the Need

Over the course of five decades, Credo has grown and developed in response to the needs of its clients, the community and society with a mission to transform lives through quality treatment. Their Integrated Outpatient Services as well as their holistic and person-centered approach is designed to meet their clients needs. Their services include individual, group and family outpatient services, varied levels of residential care, care management, referral and engagement to and from other care providers, and medication.

Collaboration at Credo

Transitional Living Services of Northern New York, more commonly referred to as TLS, also celebrated a recent milestone. Founded in 1977, TLS celebrated its 45th anniversary last year. For nearly fifty years, TLS has served those with serious mental illnesses in Northern New York.

Last month, Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addiction and Transitional Living Services of Northern New York, both members of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, announced their plans to consolidate the two organizations into one new entity. The two entities have increased their collaboration efforts in recent years and started working under an affiliation agreement in April 2022. Both agencies anticipate completing the merger process in January 2024.

Today, Credo and TLS look forward to strengthening their ability to sustain the needs of those they serve. Once the merger is complete, John Wilson, Credo’s executive director, will serve as chief executive officer whereas Maureen Cean, TLS’s executive director, will become the new entity’s chief operating officer.

Looking Ahead

In addition to the impending merger, renovations for a new facility are well underway. The new facility in Watertown, New York will provide new offices and treatment rooms to meet the growing need of those suffering from addiction or mental health challenges. Additionally, the new Integrated Outpatient Clinic and Opioid Treatment Program facility will provide effective treatment and offer clients more privacy.

Another member of the Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce, C&S Companies, has partnered with Credo to complete the agency’s critical infrastructure needs. Next week, Feature Friday will highlight C&S Companies.