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Our March 5, 2025 Zoom Pathway Session with Shawn Robinson was informative and hopeful. During the session, Shawn described how the Enders Island Recovery Residence strengthens recovery for young adult males post chemical detox and an inpatient treatment program. When Shawn gets a call from a parent, it’s usually in desperation. The family “has tried everything”, and nothing has worked. After inpatient, their loved one will relapse within a few weeks.
At Enders Island, which is located in Mystic, CT, the goal is physical, psychological and spiritual recovery. Every day, there is focus on recovery, education, community, and spirituality. The resident attends daily 12-step meetings, daily church services or the equivalent. Volunteer work on the grounds and mentorship of others, when appropriate, is also required. Group therapy and access to individual clinical and spiritual counseling are also included of the program. The result of all this work, which typically takes place over a year or longer, is to help young men “build lives worth living”.
All meals take place with the other residents, staff members and sometimes with retreatants. Each day is capped off with an AA meeting at 7:30pm and a evening prayer together in the Fisherman’s Chapel. There is a focus on outdoor experiences, given the beautiful location on Long Island Sound, especially in the summer. There is access to the Mystic YMCA, as well as to a religious recovery coach and/or priest every week.
Education and/or vocational training is also part of every resident’s recovery plan. Shawn and the Enders Island team have connections with a number of collegiate recovery programs around the country. A few great programs that Enders Island alums have attended include Texas Tech, University of Alabama, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Some people know Enders Island because of the retreats that take place. This beautiful asset is the location for many different spiritual and recovery retreats, including some for AA Fellowship. The residential recovery program complements this, and has been extremely successful over the 20 years of its existence.
Feel free to view the replay of the Pathway here, as well as the Enders Island website which includes some testimonial videos by alumni. Shawn has asked that his contact info be shared. He will gladly speak with any and all parents who have specific questions. Shawn Robinson, Director of the Enders Island Recovery Residence program: srobinson@endersisland.org, 860-381-7202.
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