Educational Alliance Newsletter:
February 2025
How vocational training transforms lives
New York State is currently in a substance abuse epidemic. In response, measures that directly treat addiction receive most of the attention. Not often mentioned is one of the most effective steps to redirecting an individual away from substance use disorders: vocational and educational services.
Educational Alliance’s full continuum of addiction treatment programs – called the Center for Recovery and Wellness – excels at integrating addiction treatment with training for a job, so we were particularly shocked when the funding for vocational education was removed from last year’s New York State budget.
That funding was ultimately restored due to a concerted lobbying effort, but we’re in a new budget cycle now and working again to preserve this vitally important program. You can read our CEO’s letter to the Governor here.
An important part of rehabilitation is finding purpose. The skills or employment that individuals develop while with us enable them to provide for themselves and their families when they leave treatment, a powerful incentive to maintain sobriety long-term.
Our vocational education program has many facets, one of which is the opportunity to work in our kitchen and earn a food handler’s certificate –which prepares them to work in a professional kitchen.
In the video above, Chef Pete explains why vocational training is so important and the deep impact it has on our clients.
