Projects and Grants

Grants and Improvements 2025

Grant Partners & Community Support

At Serenity Recovery Network, our mission is made possible through the generosity of foundations and community partners who believe in the power of recovery. Their investments allow us to provide safe, structured recovery housing, expand supportive services, and create opportunities for individuals to build healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives.

Edelweiss Foundation

Through a generous $15,000 grant from the Edelweiss Foundation, Serenity Recovery Network is able to strengthen the programs and services that support individuals on their journey to long-term recovery. This investment helps sustain our mission of providing safe, structured, and supportive recovery housing where residents can establish stability, develop life skills, and build a foundation for lasting independence. We are grateful to the Edelweiss Foundation for recognizing the importance of recovery housing in our community.

Millstone Fund

Serenity Recovery Network was awarded a generous $40,000 grant from the Millstone Fund to support our ongoing programs and operations. This funding plays an important role in sustaining the recovery-focused environment that our residents depend on. By investing in our daily operations, the Millstone Fund helps ensure that individuals seeking recovery have access to safe housing, meaningful accountability, and a supportive community as they work toward rebuilding their lives. We are incredibly thankful for the Millstone Fund's commitment to strengthening organizations that make a lasting difference in our community.

OneOhio Foundation

Creating Pathways to Employment and Financial Independence. Through a $77,760 grant from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, Serenity Recovery Network is expanding our services with the addition of two Employment Navigator positions. This initiative allows us to provide individualized employment support to residents as they work toward financial stability and long-term independence. Our Employment Navigators assist residents with identifying employment opportunities, preparing resumes, developing interview skills, and connecting with employers and workforce resources throughout the community. We believe meaningful employment is a critical component of sustained recovery. This investment allows us to go beyond simply helping residents find a job by supporting them in building careers, gaining confidence, and creating a more stable future. We are grateful to the OneOhio Recovery Foundation for investing in innovative solutions that strengthen recovery and create opportunities for lasting change.

Unnewehr Foundation

With the generous support of the Unnewehr Foundation, Serenity Recovery Network received a $15,000 grant dedicated to supporting our programs and mission. This funding helps us continue providing an environment where individuals in early recovery can focus on personal growth, accountability, employment, and developing the tools necessary for independent living. The Unnewehr Foundation's investment supports our belief that recovery is not simply about achieving sobriety, but about building a life filled with purpose, connection, and opportunity.

Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation

Serenity Recovery Network is grateful to the Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation for a $5,000 grant supporting our ongoing programs. This generous contribution helps us maintain the supportive housing environment and recovery-centered programming that individuals rely on as they work toward rebuilding their lives. Through partnerships like this, we can continue providing residents with the structure, community, and encouragement necessary to achieve lasting recovery and greater independence.

The Bridge House Is Officially Open!

On October 1, 2026, Serenity Recovery Network proudly celebrated the grand opening of the Bridge House, marking the completion of Phase I of our Recovery | Reunify | Transform Capital Campaign!

Once a vacant building, the Bridge House has been transformed into a welcoming home offering eight additional beds for individuals continuing their recovery journey. This expansion increases our total housing capacity from 39 to 47 beds, creating more opportunities for lasting recovery and independence.

We were honored to celebrate this milestone alongside Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, State Representative Dani Isaacsohn, and the many donors, volunteers, and community partners who made this vision possible.

The Bridge House is more than a building. It represents new beginnings, continued growth, and the power of a community coming together to support recovery. And this is just the beginning!

The Capital Campaign Kick Starter Drive 2025 - $135,000 year to date (June 2025)

We continue to raise funds privately prior to this Capital Campaign being officially launched and received leadership level gifts, from Board Members and Friends of SRN, totaling $135,000 to date. This kick starts our fundraising efforts toward our $4.4M goal. Utilizing the Capital Campaign, we look to create a recovery campus and expand our ability to offer Phase II housing to our residents graduating from our program, allowing them the stability they need in early sobriety, particularly women with children. This will also open beds earlier in our Phase I program and allow us to reach the next person seeking recovery from substance use/misuse faster.

Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati through the OneOhio Local Funding Initiative Grant - $240,900

These funds will support the renovation of a 5-unit, 9-bed building in Cincinnati to provide stable, abstinence-based recovery housing for individuals overcoming addiction. Our new facility will offer stable, apartment-style recovery housing with built-in accountability and access to vital recovery support services, emphasizing peer support, structure, and community reintegration, helping residents rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.

This initiative aligns with Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati’s ongoing strategy to use opioid settlement funds to provide community centered solutions to the addiction crisis.

George B. Riley Trust Estate Grant - $130,000

The George B. Riley Trust has been a steadfast patron of Serenity Recovery Network, awarding grants to our organization since 2008. Each year, the trust selects worthy charities that serve the poor and needy in Hamilton County. These funds are used for the benefit of residents in our men and women’s houses, with extra support this year toward our Capital Campaign funding the renovation of a newly acquired multi-family home into extended supportive housing with nine additional beds for women recovering from substance use disorders. We are grateful to have been chosen again in 2025.

Impact 100 Cincinanti - $100,000

Impact 100 Cincinnati has awarded $420,000 in grants to six local nonprofits, funding bold community projects that span legal services, supportive housing, accessible playgrounds and summer enrichment programs.

Serenity Recovery Network is grateful for a $100,000 grant for our supportive housing expansion: The grant will help renovate a newly acquired multi-family home into extended supportive housing with nine additional beds for women recovering from substance use disorders, ensuring continuity of care and access to essential services.

The Spaulding Foundation - $50,000

Serenity Recovery Network is once again grateful for the support and generosity of The Spaulding Foundation for awarding us a $50,000 grant towards our Capital Campaign to partner with us as we look to create a recovery campus and expand our ability to offer Phase II housing to our residents graduating from our program, allowing them the stability they need in early sobriety, particularly residents with children. This will also open beds earlier in our Phase I program and allow us to reach the next person seeking recovery from substance use/misuse faster.

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation - $25,000

Serenity Recovery Network was the recipient of a $25,000 grant through their Boots on the Ground program. This grant is for Recovery Housing Program Improvements. Greater Cincinnati Foundation (GCF), in partnership with the City of Cincinnati, has awarded $836,000 in Boots on the Ground Fund grants to 38 local nonprofits. These funds, $650,000 of which were provided by the city, strengthen the capacity of small, community-based organizations with a programming focus on housing, food and healthcare access, gun violence prevention, workforce and youth development, mental health, and substance use services.

Valuing the power of lived experience, GCF engaged a diverse group of community members in the review process. Each of these grants, up to $25,000, signals a thoughtful and targeted investment in grassroots organizations that are rooted in community.

“The organizations receiving funding will gain greater capacity to build upon established and trusted relationships to drive impactful outcomes,” said City of Cincinnati vice mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney. “It’s a core belief of mine that those closest to our community’s greatest needs and opportunities are the ones who can design the solutions necessary to create lasting change.”

Serenity Jam 2025 - $10,000

We’re thrilled to share that the Serenity Jam raised $10,000 for a donation to our Resident Sponsorship Fund! This special fund is dedicated to removing barriers for residents at Serenity Recovery Network — covering essentials like bus passes, hygiene items, rent assistance, identification documents, and court costs.We’re beyond grateful to have been chosen as the recipient. Because of this generosity, so many lives will be touched and transformed.

Western Southern Financial Group - $10,000

We are pleased to announce Western Southern Financial Group’s commitment to helping us expand our mission work by contributing a generous grant toward our Capital Campaign Fund. Their investment in our Community is how we are able to grow and help more people.

Chrome Diva’s Cincinnati - $5140

We were the beneficiaries of their annual golf fundraiser, and their generous donation was directed to our Resident Sponsorship fund. These funds are used to help our residents that lack resources early in sobriety, by supporting them with food insecurity, transportation expenses like bus passes, obtaining birth certificates and identification for aid in seeking employment and many other needs.

Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation - $5000

We are honored to receive funds from The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation for the second year in a row. They are a private foundation located in Cincinnati, OH that primarily funds program support.

Christ Church Cathedral Grants Committee - $2500

We are grateful to Christ Church Cathedral Grants Committee for their generous grant toward Serenity Recovery Networks operating costs.

Community Partner Projects

We are thankful to have community partners that are willing to roll up their sleeves. We have 3 projects, one which is completed and two that are completing by the end of May!

Simple Serv painted and re-decorated the first floor and second floor television room at Serenity House, our men’s sober living house. Their touch breathed fresh live and class into their living space.
Crossroads Go Local is going to bring a crew to repaint the bedrooms at Bassett House, our Phase II housing for graduates of our program.
Cerity Partners is brining volunteers to repaint the first floor of Serenity House, our men’s sober living house, refreshening and brightening up the space.

Property Improvements 2025

One of our largest outlays consistently is the maintenance and improvement of our Houses that our Residents reside in. Donations by our Friends of SRN and Grants make that possible. Here are some of the larger projects we undertook this year:

Jan/Feb - RWB Remodeling helped us renovate one of the bathrooms in Bassett House, our Alumni Housing. ($3160)
April - Integral Flooring helped us replace the kitchen flooring in all three units of Bassett House. ($3000)
May - We are replacing the third floor HVAC unit in HFM, our Women’s Recovery House. (est. $10,000)

Grants and Improvements 2024

SRN Launches Recovery | Reunify | Transform Capital Campaign

Serenity Recovery Network is excited to take the next step in expanding our mission through the Recovery | Reunify | Transform Capital Campaign!

Through the acquisition of additional property adjacent to Angie’s House of Freedom and Miracles, we are creating new opportunities to expand recovery housing, improve campus accessibility, and develop welcoming spaces that bring individuals, families, and the recovery community together.

Our vision includes additional housing for individuals progressing in their recovery, expanded parking, and the transformation of existing properties into spaces dedicated to connection, support, and long-term recovery.

This campaign is about more than expanding our campus. It is about expanding opportunities, strengthening families, and building a community where recovery can thrive.

Case Statement

The Capital Campaign Kick Starter Drive 2024 - $255,000

We receive leadership level gifts in cash and stock from Board Members and Friends of SRN, including the George B Riley Trust, totaling $255,000 to kick start our fundraising efforts toward our $4.4M goal. With the Capital Campaign, we look to create a recovery campus and expand our ability to offer Phase II housing to our residents graduating from our program, allowing them the stability they need in early sobriety, particularly women with children. This will also open beds earlier in our Phase I program and allow us to reach the next person seeking recovery from substance use/misuse faster.

George B. Riley Trust Estate Grant - $20,000.00

Durk Rorie Grant - $10,000

Mr. Rorie generously donated a kick start donation to SRN establishing a separate fund for starting a Foundation to benefit Serenity Recovery Network over the years to come. This year he bestowed another $10,000 gift to that end. His kindness will allow SRN to have financial security in the years to come.

Chrome Divas Motorcycle Club, Cincinnati Chapter - $5686

GE Community Fund - $5000

We are honored to continue to be the recipients of these $2500 grants which benefit our residents directly via our Resident Sponsorship Fund. These funds are used to help our residents that lack resources early in sobriety, by supporting them with food insecurity, transportation expenses like bus passes, obtaining birth certificates and identification for aid in seeking employment and many other needs.

Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation - $5000

We are honored to receive funds from The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation. They are a private foundation located in Cincinnati, OH that primarily funds program support.

United Way - Reds Grant for Addiction Awareness - $1000

Serenity Recovery Network was honored to be chosen as a community partner and recipient of this award in honor of Addiction Awareness. We had the opportunity to deliver the Game Ball to the field and be recognized as an organization for the work we do in the recovery community.

Property Improvements 2024

Jan - Sohan and Sons restored the foundation of Bassett House, our housing for Alumni. This, along with the installation of a new downspout took care of water intrusion issues. ($14.300)
Jan - Moller and Sons helped us convert underutilized Dining Rooms at Bassett House into Bedrooms. We did this in all three units, which increased our capacity for Alumni Residents from 6 to 9. ($3700)
July - Brickblenders Masonry undertook a huge project of stabilizing the foundation at Bassett House. ($13,200)
July - We purchased new washers and dryers at both our men’s and women’s houses replacing 3 machines. ($2350)

Grants and Improvements 2023

United Way – Hamilton County Non-Profit Relief Program - $30,000.00

The Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners allocated American Rescue Plan funds for a new round of nonprofit grants administered by United Way of Greater Cincinnati. Nonprofit organizations with annual revenue of $500,000 or less, providing eligible services to residents who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 were eligible for funds. Serenity Recovery Network received funding towards our program costs for a 6 month period, September 2022 – March 2023.

Anonymous Unrestricted Use Grant - $25,000.00

A friend of Serenity Recovery Network blessed us with funds to support our mission of helping any addict or alcoholic build a foundation for lifelong recovery.

Durk Rorie - Kick Start Donation for the SRN Foundation - $10,000.00

With an eye to the future, in 2022 SRN started aggregating funds to invest separately from our operating budget with the vision of establishing a Foundation to provide a continuing stream of income for SRN, in perpetuity, to preserve the founder’s work in the creation of SRN and to ensure the continuation of our mission, to help build a strong foundation of lifelong recovery in a structured residential setting for addicts, alcoholics, and their families suffering from the disease of addiction. This generous gift by Durk Rorie, combined with donations from other benefactors, has allowed us to establish an investment fund this year.

Grants and Improvements, 2021-2022

Serenity House - The Spaulding Foundation Grant - $25,000

Through a generous grant from The Spaulding Foundation, we were able to complete the badly needed renovation of the kitchen at Serenity House. This involved taking the room down to the walls, installing new flooring, plumbing, electrical work, new cabinets, counters, appliances and fresh paint. This renovation has rounded out other projects improving and updating Serenity House.

With good stewardship of our grant award, we had $4000 in remaining funds, and The Spaulding Foundation authorized us to use these funds to replace a failing safety railing at the back door of Serenity House.

Serenity House - The Marge and Charles J. Schott Foundation Grant - $15,000

Through this generous award, SRN was able to make updates and improvements to the common spaces of Serenity House. We were able to repair water damage to plaster walls, fix trim/doors, and paint common areas and hallways, ceilings, as well as all the men’s bedrooms. This was a much-needed improvement which served to unify, refresh and brighten the space.

Renovations in common rooms enable the men to gather for meals, relaxation, and meetings (including NA & AA 12 step meetings and meditations), computer access and resources and staff has observed a new sense of pride and ownership among the residents. Meetings, friendships, and the fellowship within recovery are key elements to reduce feelings of isolation and build a support system for the addict, and empowers the addict to live in a structured home environment without the use of alcohol and drugs.

Bassett House – Messer Construction $25,000

Serenity Recovery Network received this Grant in 2016 for the construction of a Career Center and Communal Space in the ground floor space of the Carriage House at AHFM. We were unable to break ground, as we ran into easement issues with the City of Cincinnati and approached Messer to reallocate these funds in 2020. Messer Construction allowed us to transfer this award to the replacement of the retaining walls at Bassett House. The old walls were deteriorating badly and were going to start causing structural and foundation issues at Bassett House. This work was completed in April 2021.

Angie’s House of Freedom and Miracles - $27,250 Capital Improvement

Our fundraising efforts have allowed us to address many items of deferred maintenance, one of them being the driveway and parking lot behind HFM. The existing, original driveway and lot were asphalt, and were deteriorating badly. They were crumbling and filled with large potholes and low spots, which impeded drainage and were especially troublesome in the winter. Also, there was a handicap access ramp that had been angled into the driveway at the front of the house, creating a significant barrier entering and exiting the driveway. This summer we undertook the project of removing and grading the driveway and pad, pouring new concrete, and repositioning the handicap ramp so that it no longer impeded the driveway. This improvement will benefit us for years to come.