Phoenix House NY/LI, Elected Officials Celebrate Newest Graduates in Recovery

QUEENS, NY (10/10/2025) (readMedia)-- Yesterday, amid National Substance Use Prevention Month, Phoenix House of New York & Long Island held its annual graduation ceremony, celebrating 82 new alumni and their collective journey to recovery from substance use. Attendees gathered at Queens Theatre to honor the class of 2025, meet with other alumni, and learn about Phoenix House's treatment programs. Last year, the fatal overdose rate for Queens County was 15.9 out of 100,000 residents, and Queens residents made up almost 20% of noncrisis substance use treatment admissions to OASAS, as recently as 2021.

View photos of the graduates and watch this year's event here.

Joining hundreds of recovery community advocates, relatives, and supporters in recognizing the graduates, State Senator Kristen Gonzalez delivered this year's closing remarks and highlighted the work of Phoenix House's Long Island City Residential program, the largest of its residential centers statewide. Graduates shared their personal stories of engaging with Phoenix House's treatment programs and successfully navigating sobriety, with the support of their peers, dedicated staff, and leadership. A 2023 survey found that around 207,000 New Yorkers reported receiving substance use treatment.

"Every single graduate here today is proof of what's possible when we center compassion, community, and care in our response to the overdose crisis," said Senator Kristen Gonzalez. "Recovery is not a solitary journey. It is something we build together, through programs like Phoenix House that meet people with dignity and support, not stigma or punishment. As we celebrate these 82 graduates, we also recommit to building a city and a state where every New Yorker has access to the care they need to heal, recover, and thrive."

"For almost six decades, Phoenix House has been on the frontlines supporting New Yorkers in recovery from addiction. Our mission and approach are firmly rooted in the understanding that both personal agency and community are at the foundation of recovery. We are immensely proud of the class of 2025 for reaching this milestone, and remain inspired by the generations of alumni who continue to uplift each other. As we honor our newest graduates, particularly during Substance Use Prevention Month, we thank Senator Kristen Gonzalez, and all recovery advocates for their efforts in helping us address this crisis," said Ann-Marie Foster, Phoenix House President & CEO.

"Phoenix House did more than change my life for the better; they saved me. Their staff pushed me to face myself. They didn't let me hide behind excuses. They made me stop running, sit with my pain, and look in the mirror. Through that process, I discovered who I really was and faced the pain I had been medicating for years. Now, nearly 20 years sober, I'm proud of my journey and the new chapter Phoenix House helped me embrace," said Milagritos Quiñones, Senior Counselor and alumna at Phoenix House LIC Residential.

About Phoenix House New York & Long Island: For nearly 60 years, Phoenix House New York and Long Island has helped thousands of people overcome substance and alcohol use in order to lead healthy, productive, and rewarding lives. Born as a model for integrated substance use treatment, Phoenix House has grown into a treatment network that offers short-term and long-term residential, intensive outpatient, and general outpatient treatment. Phoenix House also offers treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical services, medication for addiction treatment, health and wellness goals, and vocational and educational support.

###