Annual Appeal Drive to benefit women and their children affected by addiction

Friends,

Believe it or not, there are women in our community who are unable to receive the long-term residential addiction treatment they need because the only options available to them are co-ed facilities. As you might imagine, many of these women have experienced traumatic events throughout their lives. It is neither safe nor healthy for them to live in a co-ed treatment environment. Too often, they choose not to go—and the consequences can be devastating. ERC finds this unacceptable.

There is only one women’s only residential treatment program in the state of Washington. Just one. Not only is this unacceptable, we also find it appalling.

Some women struggling with addiction who have children choose not to enter long-term residential treatment—treatment that could literally save their lives—because there is no one to care for their children. The State of Washington has been progressive in addressing this issue by developing and funding long-term residential treatment programs where children can live with their mothers and receive services as well. These programs are known as Pregnant and Parenting Women (PPW) programs. At ERC, we call ours Evergreen Manor.

The state has allocated a limited number of these programs, and ERC is fortunate to operate one of them. At times, however, we are at full capacity and unable to admit a family—even those in dire need—due to limited bed availability.

The need and demand for these services continue to grow. Limited capacity and inadequate funding place our entire community at risk.

As you know, over the past year the federal government has begun dismantling our nationwide behavioral healthcare safety net. Addiction is increasingly being reframed as a moral issue rather than what it truly is—a health issue. Funding reductions and threats of cuts, along with legal challenges tied to DEI work, have created uncertainty. Out of fear, many of our partner organizations have paused current programs and put plans for growth on hold.

Simply put: there are women—our mothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, daughters, and friends—who do not enter residential treatment because co-ed facilities are their only option. There are women who choose not to enter treatment because of the need to care for their children. ERC operates a program—Evergreen Manor—that removes this barrier, yet capacity often cannot meet demand, leaving mothers and their children with few healthy options. Meanwhile, many partner organizations have halted expansion plans.

If not US, then who? If not NOW, then when?

ERC has chosen to do the exact opposite. We are executing an ambitious plan to better meet the needs of our community. There are not enough beds at Evergreen Manor (PPW) to meet demand, so we are adding nine additional beds. And while the state currently has only one women’s only residential treatment center, ERC is taking action. In April 2026, we will open Rainwood, a residential treatment program exclusively for women, providing compassionate, trauma-informed, gender-specific care. Both the expansion and the new residential program will be housed in vacant facilities on our Summit campus. We have received $750,000 from the Washington State Department of Commerce to renovate these facilities. Donations from our Annual Appeal Drive will be used to furnish them.

The true magic and healing at ERC are not found in the buildings themselves, but in what happens within them. For more than 50 years, ERC has served our community by helping individuals and families recover from the challenges of addiction. We help them rebuild, rise, and keep going. We remind them that they are capable, worthy, and enough. We see them at their worst upon arrival and at their best as we support their transition back into the community.

For over 50 years, ERC’s culture has been one of quiet dedication—heads down, focused on providing excellent care. We were taught not to boast or talk about ourselves. That is changing. We are stepping forward to lead our community through the challenges caused by addiction. We will tell our story so people know we are here, understand the services we provide, and recognize the positive impact we make. Join us in creating a safer, stronger future for women and families in recovery. Your support of our Annual Appeal helps open doors to healing, stability, and lasting change—please give today and stand with our community.

Good & Exciting Things are Happening at ERC!

Patrick Evans, ERC CEO