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“This place is a success story waiting to happen for anyone who truly wants it,” Alicia reflects on her experience at Haymarket Center.

Before she arrived at Haymarket, Alicia faced significant challenges. She was homeless, living in a stairwell of an abandoned building frequented by drug dealers, and struggling with daily heroin use. Although she never wanted to engage in substance use activity, she lacked the courage to change her situation. In 2019, after hitting rock bottom, she made the desperate decision to get herself incarcerated, seeking merely a safe, warm place to sleep.

“Take me to jail,” she remembers saying repeatedly.

In July of 2021, through the Cook County Jail Thrive program that provides access to treatment at Haymarket Center instead of incarceration, Alicia found her way to this transformative facility. Here, she learned to read and write, obtained her birth certificate and state ID, and accessed crucial medical and DCFS services. Everything she needed to be an active participant of society was available to her at Haymarket Center.

Haymarket focuses on the whole person, offering comprehensive support for recovery. Our treatment programs are accessible to everyone 24/7/365, including the most underserved communities of the Chicago area. Please donate to help us to continue the care for all individuals, regardless of ability to pay for treatment.

Now, as she graduated from Haymarket’s programs year, Alicia has been sober for over two years and is working in the housekeeping department at Haymarket Center—her first job ever. With Haymarket’s assistance, she is also back in school, working toward her GED.

“Everything I do now is because I want to, not because I have to. I used to have to wake up to get money to get high—it was mandatory. Now, I go to school because I want my education. I come to work because I like my job. Nothing I do anymore is because I have to,” Alicia said.

However, despite her remarkable progress, she recently faced a heartbreaking setback.

Setbacks may occur, but patients at Haymarket learn invaluable lessons to overcome challenges, even after they leave.

“I learned at Haymarket that life will happen. I heard that every day since I came here, but I didn’t truly understand it until now. I can’t control life; I can only control myself. What matters is that I keep fighting for my future.”

Alicia’s journey is just one of many that highlight the transformative impact of Haymarket. When asked what she would tell potential donors, her message is clear and powerful: “There is another me out there waiting to be saved. This place saved me and has saved others before me. As long as Haymarket stands strong, it will continue to save lives.”

Please consider donating to Haymarket Center in support of patients like Alicia. Your contribution can help create more success stories like Alicia’s. Together, we can ensure that others have the opportunity to turn their lives around and gain courage to reclaim their futures.

Mark your calendars for Giving Tuesday on December 3rd! This day celebrates generosity and inspires individuals to uplift their communities through simple acts of kindness. The concept of radical generosity is at the heart of this global movement, highlighting the power of giving.

Join us in celebrating our patients by shopping from our Giving Tuesday Amazon Wishlist! It’s as simple as adding a few items to your cart while you get a head start on your holiday shopping. Every item purchased by our generous supporters will bring joy to our patients and enrich our programs as they navigate their recovery journey.

We are counting down the days until we can open Mac’s Deli! The first-of-its-kind work training program at Haymarket Center is a collaboration with Vienna Beef, so we hope you are hungry for a Chicago dog, cheeseburger or Italian beef sandwich. All the proceeds support our life-saving treatment programs.

Stay tuned, we’ll share more details about the grand opening and how you can support Mac’s Deli soon. Follow Mac’s Deli on Instagram and Facebook.

October is particularly a busy month for the Youth Prevention Team. During the week of October 23rd-31st, they participate in special activities to celebrate Red Ribbon Week—an opportunity for parents and educators to reinforce a drug-free mindset among children. Students across the country pledge to stay drug-free during this important week.

Click here for the history of Red Ribbon Week.

Spencer Jones fondly recalls the team’s first Red Ribbon Week: “Seeing the students’ enthusiasm was truly inspiring. It motivated me to ask, ‘How can we do more of these?’”

Each year, the National Family Partnership sponsors a Red Ribbon Week Theme Contest, and this year’s theme is: “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.” This Theme allows the Youth Prevention Team to showcase their creativity. They will set up a red-carpet event where students can walk the carpet and, at the end, sign their pledge to stay drug-free on their own star.

Building confidence is crucial in promoting a drug-free lifestyle, and this year’s activities are designed to empower all students. “They walk these hallways every day, but now they get to walk down a red carpet,” he adds.

The red carpet will be available all week, giving even the more reserved students a chance to participate when they feel comfortable. At the end of Red Ribbon Week, while the carpet will be removed, schools can choose to keep the pledge board of stars displayed throughout the year.

In addition to the red-carpet event, the team will host a reading corner where eighth graders will read age-appropriate Red Ribbon Week books to third and fourth graders, fostering a sense of community and support among students.

Looking ahead, the Youth Prevention Team hopes to incorporate more parent programs, recognizing the importance of starting these conversations at home. As Mr. Jones emphasizes, the source of information is crucial for children.

If you’d like to support the Youth Prevention Team’s activities, please consider contributing through their Amazon Wishlist to help provide materials for these impactful and life-changing initiatives.

Haymarket Center is home to many dedicated employees, some of whom have been with us for over two decades. This fall, we’d like to recognize Ivory Johnson, Jesse Taylor, Lawrence Walls, Wendell Harris, and Tryone Martin for celebrating their 20+ year anniversaries.

These milestones capture the heart Haymarket and its employees. So, what makes Haymarket Center so special? Ivory Johnson, a Case Manager who recently marked his 28th anniversary, provides some insight:

Haymarket celebrates and values each and every employee!

On Friday, September 20th, and Saturday, September 21st, Haymarket proudly continued the tradition of the West Loop Bavarian Block Party. Hosted by the Associate Board, this fest celebrated authentic German culture, featuring staple foods like bratwurst and pretzels, along with lively traditional polka music.

The musical lineup included crowd favorites such as Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press, as well as Too Hype Crew. The fest originated as an annual birthday celebration for our founder, the late Monsignor Ignatius McDermott, aimed at fostering community spirit and goodwill among our neighbors. We carry on this tradition with the West Loop Bavarian Block Party, with funds raised supporting comprehensive substance use and mental health treatment for Chicago’s underserved populations.

Reflecting on the event, Kelly McKay, President of the Associate Board, shared, “I loved the setup this year of the game tent and kids’ activities, along with the NA bar facing Haymarket. It made the event accessible to everyone. One of my favorite moments was seeing Haymarket clients—one of whom helped us build flower displays the day before—join in the games and activities right in front of the building during the fest.”

Kelly also emphasized the importance of volunteerism, stating, “Volunteers make everything possible! What makes a fest like this special is the meaning behind it—supporting Haymarket. We accomplished that by adding love to so many pieces, like putting hearts and quotes on the building and creating flowers for clients. We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support from our volunteers.”

If you would like to learn how to volunteer, please contact Ella Benoit, Development Manager, at 312) 226-7984 ext. 577 or ebenoit@hcenter.org. You can also click on this link to get involved.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating our community and contributing to such an impactful cause!

View photos from the event

Haymarket Center is proud to announce it has once again been awarded on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2024. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

The America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2024 list awards the leading 400 addiction treatment centers in the US. Facilities in the 25 states with the highest number of addiction treatment centers, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), were included in the survey. For the first time, four region lists were included in the ranking.

The list is based on three data sources:

• National Online Survey: Over 4000 medical professionals and managers/administrators working in addiction treatment centers were invited to recommend leading facilities in their respective U.S. states.
• Accreditation Score: Accreditation data on addiction treatment centers provided by SAMHSA.
• Google Reviews: Reviews from Google were included as a measure of patient experience.

Haymarket Center is honored to be acknowledged on Newsweek’s list, reflecting our dedication to providing outstanding care and support for those seeking addiction treatment.

“Being recognized for the second year in a row underscores our steadfast commitment to excellence and superior patient care,” said Dr. Dan Lustig, President & CEO of Haymarket Center. “I am proud to work alongside our dedicated Board of Directors and staff who work tirelessly to ensure everyone has access to high-quality care.”