How Integrity House is providing life-changing treatments in Newark

Location

Newark

Leader

Robert Budsock, CEO

Origin

In the mid-1960s, Newark parole officer Dave Kerr saw something missing — a dedicated support system for parolees struggling with addiction. Kerr started meeting with parolees, leading to the creation of a small social club in Belleville. Richard Grossklaus joined him and found a permanent home in Newark. In August 1968, Integrity House was officially established as a nonprofit dedicated to supporting individuals and families on their recovery journey.

Mission/vision

Integrity House’s mission is to help individuals and families through an effective and measurable system of comprehensive therapeutic community addictions treatment, mental health treatment and recovery support in a way that brings about positive, long-term lifestyle change. It seeks to rebuild and transform lives, families and communities as the leading provider of integrated mental health, physical health and addiction services. Integrity House prioritizes helping individuals facing significant socioeconomic barriers such as a lack of employment, homelessness, involvement with the criminal justice system and chronic health conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes.

Key programs

• Recovery support & community engagement programs: Integrity House offers a full continuum of care for substance use disorder, including inpatient, high-intensity and low-intensity residential treatment; partial care, intensive outpatient and outpatient services; and gambling services.
• Integrity Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic: The Integrity CCBHC provides integrated care, including outpatient mental health services, outpatient addiction treatment, crisis services, primary care services, peer and family support and care coordination. Walk-ins are welcome, with appointments available but not required.
• Integrity Harm Reduction Center: Located across from the Integrity CCBHC, the Integrity Harm Reduction Center offers education on overdose prevention and risk reduction, mental health services, medication-assisted treatment, access to a range of supplies and drug checking tools, wound care and personal care kits and care coordination services.

Biggest event/fundraiser

On Nov. 21, Integrity House will host its 2025 Gala: Where It Begins, a celebration of first steps and the role of community in helping beginnings become lasting change. Held biennially, the Integrity House Gala is the agency’s largest event.

Supporters/donors

Integrity House thanks the many individuals and organizations that have contributed to its mission. Without your support and collaboration, this work would not be possible!

One more thing

Integrity House’s Mobile Community Care program brings assessments, medical care, risk reduction services and peer support directly to high-need areas in Newark, partnering with local outreach teams to reach people where they are. Last year, the clinic served more than 1,000 individuals, including 1,105 receiving harm reduction services and 320 receiving medical care.

How to support

All donations can be made online at integrityhouse.org/donate/ or mailed directly to: Integrity, Inc., Attn: Development Department, 103 Lincoln Park, Newark NJ, 07102