☎ (832) 649-6696 ✉ info@recenterhouston.com
Serving Houston Since 1950

Caring for families
affected by chemical
dependency.

Our holistic approach helps the chemically dependent rediscover who they truly are — wholly unique individuals of unlimited potential — and rebuild their lives on a foundation of sobriety.

A voice from recovery
"You can kick your habits. It's not easy — but I did it, and so can you."
— Recenter Houston resident
40
Meetings / week
70+
Years serving
227
Current residents
100K+
Meals annually
40
Recovery meetings per week
227
Residents in program
100K+
Meals served annually
70+
Years of service
Our Mission

We help people recenter on a life worth living.

At Recenter, we support our participants with an array of programs, each specifically designed to address different aspects of addiction and to guide participants to a life of productive sobriety.

We take a holistic approach — addressing the mind, body, and spirit on the path to lasting recovery — because we believe that a recovered life is an unlimited life.

"Recenter has seventy years of caring for families affected by chemical dependency, one person at a time."

Substance addiction is a largely misunderstood public health problem. The solution is peer support, structure, and accountability. Recenter equips people suffering from addiction with the tools to rebuild and reclaim their lives.

We are proud to be an LGBTQ+ inclusive program, welcoming all individuals seeking recovery.

What We Offer

Hope  ·  Healing  ·  Home

🌱

Hope

A peer-driven, 12 Step journey to recovery — offering participants the chance to live, learn, and laugh together in a nurturing environment built on trust and accountability.

❤️‍🩹

Healing

Mental health support, spiritual well-being, employment assistance, and the overall wellness of the mind, body, and spirit through evidence-based programs and community care.

🏡

Home

Safe, affordable on-campus living that removes one of the biggest barriers to recovery — giving participants the stability and proximity to support they need to succeed.

Our Approach

Recover · Restore · Rebuild

Recover

Environment plays a part in recovery. Our newly renovated facilities offer on-campus living and non-medical detox in a supportive, serene atmosphere — a structured place to call home.

Restore

The addiction is not the person. One piece at a time, we rebuild self-confidence and sense of self through group meetings, peer mentorship, and holistic healing of mind and body.

Rebuild

There is life beyond addiction. We support residents in rebuilding independence through employment, life skills, and encouragement — toward a balanced, hopeful, and sober life.

Take the first step

When life has you down, Recenter is here.

For hope, healing, and a home — call us today.

About Recenter

More than a program —
a community.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Houston's homeless and addicted rediscover who they truly are, one person at a time.

Who We Are

Recenter Houston

Recenter is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to help individuals who are predominantly homeless recover from alcoholism and drug addiction in order to lead more productive lives.

Substance addiction is a largely misunderstood public health problem. The solution is peer support, structure, and accountability. Recenter equips people suffering from addiction with the tools to rebuild and reclaim their lives.

Assist

Creating healthy lifestyles through productive habits — employment, volunteering, and community participation.

Support

Ongoing programs, case management, and hosting of AA, NA, and CA meetings open to all.

Provide

Onsite housing and meals for men and women recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction.

Empower

Equipping residents with tools for employment, education, and lasting independence in sobriety.

Leadership

Board of Directors

John Puckett
Chair — CFO, Phoenix Environmental Services
Over 25 years in the energy services sector. Co-founded multiple companies. MBA from Rice University, BBA from University of Mississippi.
Alan G. Woodbury
Board Treasurer — Owner, Alan G. Woodbury CPA
Rice University graduate, 1965. Specialized in bank computer auditing. Decades of CFO experience across oil, construction, and community service.
Andrew J. Martin
Board Secretary — Chairman, Challenge Group International
Houston community member for over 64 years. Served on numerous nonprofit boards in fundraising, PR, governance, and financial compliance.
John Andell
Board Director — Managing Principal, Hansen Partners
16+ years in commercial real estate. Responsible for 600,000+ sq ft of office space in Houston. MBA from Rice University.
Steven Brinkman
CEO / Executive Director
With Recenter since 2006, starting as a Resident Manager. Passionate about meeting the program population at ground level. Background in Biology and Psychology.
FAQ

Common Questions

Everything you need to know about our program, enrollment, and how Recenter can help you or your loved one find a path to recovery.

What kind of program is Recenter?+
Recenter is a leader in the fight against addiction, offering individual recovery, family re-unification, and community re-education. We remain adaptive — but one ideal has stood the test of time: accountability.
Are you a homeless shelter?+
No. We offer an affordable program of recovery for people who suffer with substance abuse challenges.
Do you provide detox?+
We provide NON-MEDICAL detox only. Detox can be life-threatening — we strongly urge those requiring medical detox to seek professional care before enrolling.
Do you serve women?+
Yes, we invite women seeking recovery from substance abuse challenges to enroll in our program.
How much does enrollment cost?+
Enrollment fees range from $360 to $900 per month depending on individual need. Recenter accepts vouchers and other subsidies. We work with every new person during admission to determine appropriate housing.
Do you accept credit/debit cards?+
At this time we only accept cash or check.
How often is space available?+
Availability changes daily. Always call to verify. We work on a first come, first serve basis and welcome you to our waitlist if space is unavailable.
How many people per room?+
We have a variety of housing options. The number of people per room ranges from two to ten people.
Our Network

Our Partners

Recenter works with a comprehensive network of Houston organizations to provide holistic care for our residents.

Career & Recovery Resources City of Houston Coalition for the Homeless Houston Food Bank Mental Health America of Greater Houston Harris County Houston Community College Houston Recovery Center Healthcare for the Homeless Houston Houston Police Department Main Street Ministries Memorial Hermann SEARCH Homeless Services Second Servings of Houston The Women's Home Workforce Solutions
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Program
What We Do

Programs built around
the whole person.

A comprehensive, holistic approach to recovery — addressing hope, healing, and home through the LifeMap framework.

The Framework

The LifeMap Program

The LifeMap Program provides supportive services to chemically addicted individuals with more intensive needs. It assists participants in reaching their ultimate goal of living a recovered life through case management and life skills education.

Charting the LifeMap begins when a new resident attends the Review Board, usually within the first thirty days. We work together to identify barriers in life and create a strategy for navigating those challenges through short and long-term goals.

1

Assessment

Our management team identifies specific life barriers upon admission. Many times, non-medical detox is the most appropriate first step.

2

Review Board

Within the first 30 days, your personalized LifeMap is created — setting short and long-term goals that serve as milestones on the road to recovery.

3

Ongoing Support

Staff meets regularly with each individual to review progress, make revisions, and celebrate achievements as residents rebuild their lives.

Hope Programs

🌱 Building a Foundation of Hope

We offer a peer-driven, 12 Step journey to recovery, offering participants an opportunity to live, learn, and laugh together in a nurturing environment.

Welcome Home

A peer-driven orientation to inspire hope and courage. Newcomers are matched with peer partners who offer advice and encouragement during the stressful first weeks, helping them adjust to their new surroundings and community.

Fresh Start

An opportunity for residents to walk and work the 12 Steps. Meeting once a week in compassionate group sessions, residents complete the first three steps through short lectures followed by open discussion — learning, laughing, and growing together.

E.A.T. — Everybody at the Table

Three hot, nutritious meals a day for program participants in a group setting — feeding both body and spirit. Over 100,000 people are reached and served through E.A.T. each year, including Houston's homeless population.

The Next Mission: Veterans in Recovery

Honoring our nation's veterans with a program specifically designed for their unique needs. Our veteran residents created "Shoulder to Shoulder" — a 12 Step meeting so they may work together in a peer support setting.

Healing Programs

❤️‍🩹 Restoring Mind, Body & Spirit

Addressing and treating mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing is imperative to achieving balance in life and in recovery. We continuously design and implement programs to restore good health across all dimensions.

At Ease — Mental Health

Collaborating with Houston's leading mental health providers to ensure residents have access to the support they need.

  • Referrals to Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
  • Referrals to Harris Health Neuro Psychiatric Center
  • Referrals to SEARCH & Healthcare for the Homeless Houston
  • Licensed Counselors for Chemical Dependency
  • Anger Management & Relapse Prevention groups
  • Scholarships for Mental Health Peers and Recovery Coaches

Wellness — Total Body Health

A stronger body yields a stronger mind. Our services address the prevalent physical ailments common in a life of addiction and homelessness.

  • Harris Health Gold Card Application Assistance
  • SEARCH, UT Dental School & Legacy Health Dental Program
  • Houston Food Bank nutrition lectures
  • American Cancer Society Smoking Cessation Program
  • Texas Prevent Blindness eye exams and free eyeglass vouchers

Opportunity Knocks — Education

  • Adult education / GED preparation (Peggy A. Brinkman Scholarship Fund)
  • Vocational training scholarships
  • Academic preparedness classes (study skills, time management)
  • FAFSA completion assistance

H.I.R.E. — Help in Regaining Employment

Our Workforce Lab provides computer terminals for residents to research and seek employment.

  • Basic computing skills & email account creation
  • Resume writing advice and instruction
  • Online employment application assistance
  • Vocational counseling
  • Job placement with employers that hire those with criminal records
Home Programs

🏡 A Place to Call Home

By providing a clean and comfortable home, we remove a major barrier in the path to a sober life. A life ravaged by addiction requires more time to re-stabilize than a traditional 30-day in-patient program allows.

Recenter Residential

Clean, supportive on-campus housing across multiple structures in the heart of Midtown with easy Metro Bus and MetroRail access. In 2016 alone, we housed 609 homeless persons — 72,732 sober bed nights.

Non-Medical Detox

During detox, we make people comfortable while addressing nutritional and hygiene needs. Residents are monitored 24 hours a day and may be referred to a medical facility as needed.

CommUNITY

40 open 12-step meetings per week, a network of sponsors, emergency shelter, meals for the homeless, and special event evenings for free screenings, nutrition, and Al-Anon meetings.

Recovery Stories

From people recentered
and focused on a healthy life.

Real voices. Real recovery. Proof that a sober life of unlimited potential is possible.

About This Page

Real Hope, Real People

There are 227 people who reside at Recenter Houston. We offer 40 twelve-step Recovery Meetings each week attended by residents and non-residents alike.

All in recovery strongly believe they receive help from our counselors and from association with their peers. Many realize for the first time that an escape from drug and alcohol addiction is possible.

"You can kick your habits. It's not easy — but I did it, and so can you."

Recenter Houston has fees for residency but not for program participation. We rely on donations from friends and the community. These donations make these stories possible.

Share Your Story

Would you like to share your experience with Recenter? Your story can inspire others who are still struggling.

Email Us Your Story

Help Fund More Stories

As you hear these stories, notice the individual's pride in becoming addiction free — and think of the value this brings to our city.

🎬

Video Stories

Recovery video testimonials from Recenter residents. Contact us to request access.

Request Access
Open to All

40 Recovery Meetings
Every Week.

Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Cocaine Anonymous — open to residents and the entire Houston community.

Join Us

Recovering Together

Recenter offers face-to-face meetings to those in recovery. Recovering men and women of any age may attend 12 Step Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

We host 40 open 12-step meetings per week — welcoming strangers and residents alike to discuss their progress in overcoming their alcohol and drug challenges.

Recenter also welcomes the entire Houston community to special event evenings featuring free vision screenings, nutrition lectures, smoking cessation, financial literacy, and Al-Anon and Alateen meetings.

Meeting Location

3809 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002

📞 (832) 649-6696
 info@recenterhouston.com

Guidelines

12-Step Meeting Guidelines

  1. No use of profanity.
  2. Limit your share time to 5 minutes.
  3. No "war stories" — please don't glorify your drug or alcohol use.
  4. No cross talk. Don't reference anyone specifically; share in a general way.
  5. Your anonymity is your responsibility.
  6. Not everyone will get to share. Please raise your hand and hopefully you will get a chance.
  7. Please remember our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety.

Ready to attend a meeting?

Call (832) 649-6696
Watch Us Grow

The Fred & Susan
Dailey Building

A $20 million, 50,000 sq. ft. facility — 62 new beds expanding our ability to serve Houston's recovery community.

New Facility

A New Chapter for Recenter

Recenter is proud to announce the opening of The Fred and Susan Dailey Building — a landmark investment in Houston's recovery community.

This new building represents our commitment to expanding our ability to serve the community and house those in recovery. The facility sits at the heart of Midtown Houston with convenient Metro Bus Line and MetroRail access.

The Fred and Susan Dailey Building allows us to serve even more of our neighbors who are fighting addiction and rebuilding their lives.

$20M
Total Investment
50K
Square Feet
+62
New Beds
🚇
Metro Access
Highlights

Facility Features

🏠

Modern Resident Rooms

Comfortable, dignified rooms designed to provide structure and peace for those on their recovery journey — from private to shared arrangements.

☀️

Dayroom & Gathering Spaces

Informal spaces for residents to connect, support one another, and build the community essential to lasting recovery.

🚇

Midtown Houston Location

The Houston Metro runs directly in front of Recenter, ensuring easy access to employment, healthcare, and services across the city.

Help us continue to grow and serve more Houstonians.

News & Events

Stories from the
Recenter community.

Updates, events, and reflections from Houston's longest-running recovery program.

Feature Story

How Recenter Stayed Nearly Covid-Free

Covid infections held to 1.4% of residents. No hospitalizations. No evictions. A story of community, accountability, and survival.

Read the full story →
Dec 2023

Sober Celebrations

Tips for substance abusers at holiday parties — guidance on navigating holiday gatherings while maintaining sobriety and enjoying the season.

Community

Recenter Takes the Long View

Why recovering substance abusers need long-term support — and why Recenter's sustained approach produces lasting results.

May 2023

Mayfest Celebrated at Recenter

May 6th was a warm and beautiful spring day. 35 riders, 250+ residents and friends gathered for fellowship, food, and community.

Dec 2022

Blanket Drive Results

We concluded our blanket drive with Mancuso's Harley Davidson on December 22nd — 48 blankets distributed to residents in older buildings.

Oct 2022

Halloween Costume Party

Over 150 people attended. Fried fish, dirty rice, candy — and the Lady in Blue took first place in the costume contest. A joyful night for all.

Jun 2022

A Beautiful Day for a Bike Ride

30 riders, HPD escort, food trucks, a bouncy house, and a dunk tank. Our residents celebrated hard-earned sobriety together.

Feb 2022

H-Town Sober Chili Cookoff

A family-friendly chili cookoff with five competition categories — bringing together agencies focused on creating safer environments for recovery.

Recognition

Mayor's Proclamation

Mayor Turner recognized Recenter's 72 years of service to the City of Houston — a milestone honoring the work of everyone in our community.

Feature Story

How Recenter Stayed
Nearly Covid-Free

Covid infections held to 1.4% of Recenter residents — a story of community, accountability, and the will to live.

1.4%
Infection Rate
0
Hospitalizations
97,200
Meals Delivered to Rooms
10,000+
Masks Distributed

At Recenter, we have 200 full-time residents who are recovering from the diseases of alcohol and drug abuse. Since Covid arrived in Texas we hosted 539 people in our facility, although only 200 reside with us at a time. Our residents live close together — in ten-person, two-person, and one-person living quarters — sharing a single dining facility.

We immediately went into lockdown mode. We furnished free masks. Only residents and a minimum of service people were allowed access to our five buildings. We tried using Zoom for AA meetings, but participants felt we'd lost the emotion normally present — so we cut back to residents only.

Recovering drug and alcohol abusers are survivors. Many have had near-death experiences. They are still around because they want to LIVE.

Our people soon learned to tell what Covid symptoms look like and were not bashful about taking someone aside and asking if they plan to get tested. The effect was to self-police. We used hand-held thermometers to take non-residents' temperatures who needed entry.

What We Did

  • 1,000 washable cloth masks distributed to residents and visitors
  • 10,000 disposable masks distributed to residents and visitors
  • 100 gallons of hand sanitizer distributed
  • 97,200 meals prepared and delivered directly to resident units
  • Virtual twelve-step meetings offered during quarantine
  • Extra staff hired to monitor adherence to safety rules

Our Results

  • No residents were asked to leave for failure to pay rent
  • No one passed away, no one was hospitalized
  • 7 of 539 residents tested positive for COVID — quarantined on-site
  • 1 of 46 staff members tested positive for COVID — quarantined on-site

During the pandemic, our donors reduced their giving. We kindly ask that you support Recenter so we can continue to help those suffering from the diseases of alcohol and drug abuse.

How to Help

Make a Difference

Your donation helps us provide hope, healing, and a home to Houston's most vulnerable community members.

Hope · Healing · Home

Start Your Journey
to Recovery Today

832.649.6696

Get in Touch

We're here for you.

Recenter has seventy years of caring for families affected by chemical dependency, one person at a time. Whether you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one — call us.

Office Hours

Monday – Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sunday Closed

Send Us a Message

Or call us directly: (832) 649-6696