October 2025

Honoring Our Veterans: 11th Annual Veterans Black Tie Dinner

Rachel and Trevor worked harder than many of us can ever imagine. After decades of struggling, they both overcame their substance use disorder. Last week at the 11th annual Veterans Programs Black Tie Dinner, Samaritan Daytop Village honored and recognized Rachel, Trevor, and four other veterans for achieving five and 10+ years of successful recovery. Today, they are both living the lives they want with careers they're proud of, the love of their families, and the warmth of permanent and stable homes. They, like many veterans, found the right support at Samaritan's veterans-specific programs, including the only program of its kind for women veterans. Former ABC World News Tonight anchor Bob Woodruff, the event's guest speaker, spoke to the veterans in attendance, praising both their service to the country and their efforts to overcome significant mental health and substance use challenges. Woodruff was critically injured by a roadside bomb while covering the Iraq war and has since launched a foundation to support veterans and their families.

Learn more about our veteran recovery programs here.

Rowing Toward Recovery: Veterans Find Strength and Connection on the Water

Samaritan Daytop Village and Row New York have joined forces to bring a one-of-a-kind rowing experience to veterans in recovery. Now in its ninth year, the partnership activities take place at Row New York’s boathouse in Flushing Meadows Corona Park and combines the discipline of rowing with the teamwork and structure that support lasting recovery.

Each session, veterans meet with certified instructors to learn the fundamentals of rowing and take to the water together. The experience helps them build physical strength, develop trust, and reconnect with community—all while advancing their recovery goals.

Many of our veterans find that this program helps them rebuild confidence and rediscover structure and teamwork.

Food for Thought: How Nutrition Powers Recovery

At Samaritan Daytop Village, recovery is about more than treatment—it’s about whole-person well-being. That’s why our residential and outpatient programs integrate nutrition education and healthy meal options to help participants heal their bodies and minds.

Just ask Jamel Lewis, who once relied on Honeybuns to get through the day. At Samaritan Daytop Village, he began to experience the life-changing effects of healthier eating. As his nutrition improved, so did his focus, mood, and motivation. Now, Jamel shares that message with others in recovery: eating better can help you feel better.

Read more about Jamel’s story and how nutrition supports recovery in his recent City Limits opinion piece.

Recognizing Excellence: Charles Madray Honored with National Award

Charles Madray, MBA, Vice President for Health Services and Community-Based Programs, oversees efforts to support 3,000 people each year in recovery from substance use disorder, our Health Home program, and our Older Adult Center. Over his decades in the field, he has built programs to ensure that people get the support they need to live healthy, fulfilled lives.

Charles was recently recognized for his work by being awarded the Nyswander/Dole “Marie” Award from the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD), which honors leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to the opioid treatment field.

Charles helped propel Samaritan Daytop Village to the top of the treatment and recovery field. Our programs work because people like Charles are constantly improving our services and treatment options to provide the individualized, targeted support that works best.

Learn more about our treatment and recovery programs here.