Thirty years ago, the story of Victory Programs began. Victory Programs started as a sanctuary for anyone seeking help and recovery. Our first counselor Joe Snow said, “we take everyone,” and it was true. From the day our first program, Victory House, opened in June 1975, our agency made it an explicit mandate to ensure entry to care had no obstacles. If someone was a Vietnam veteran living with the ravages of post-traumatic stress from combat, it didn’t matter. Later, we welcomed homeless women desperate to find their children safe shelter away from violence and abuse, and people newly diagnosed with a potentially debilitating disease, such as Hepatitis C and HIV. Today, it doesn’t matter if a new resident needs to be on methadone while in residential care, or if they are diagnosed with a mental illness that requires medication, have sustained a head injury related to their addiction, or simply feel they don’t fit in anywhere else because of their transgender identity.

Today, this simple approach has helped more than 46,000 individuals and families, who were traumatized and homeless, alcoholic and addicted, find the “spirit within and belief in themselves.” They learn to recognize that recovery and hope are not only possible for them, but are their right. 

We crown this thirty-year journey with an astounding wreath of achievements. This year, Victory Programs finalized a merger with ReVision House of Dorchester, protecting the future of one of Boston’s most needed family shelters. ReVision House expands Victory Programs’ capacity by serving a further 22 homeless families in shelter, with a childcare center and entrepreneurial urban farm program. In addition, we continued to create new treatment options for those addicted to methamphetamines, commonly known as “crystal meth.” Our outreach to those on crystal meth, and our new treatment initiatives, were highlighted by Channel 5’s Chronicle team in a powerful segment on the debilitating effects of this lethal drug, whose use is growing. Finally, we complete a perfect thirty-year circle with the total gut renovation of Victory House, our flagship program: now a dazzling, state-of-the art treatment facility.

Because the seed of our agency’s unique identity was planted at this first program, we dedicate this annual report to the inspiration of our original co-founders Ted Cantone and John deMiranda. We also dedicate this report to Lee Kennedy, & Co and to Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, who thirty years later stepped in at our time of great need, and offered their support, professional services, and pro-bono assistance to ensure the renovation of that same building came to completion. 

The story of Victory Programs continues because of a host of individuals like Ted and John, and organizations like Lee Kennedy and Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge. These are people who believe that we must all keep striving to find ways to overcome impossible obstacles and continue our work, because together our work saves lives.