Why Ashley?

In 1983, Father Martin and Mae Abraham began treating those suffering from SUD with a dignified and holistic approach. They removed the stigma and shame typically associated with SUD treatment and identified alcoholism as a disease —not a moral failing. This visionary method has since transformed the field of SUD treatment, research, and patient care. Within two years of opening, Forbes Magazine ranked Ashley as one of the country’s Top Ten SUD treatment facilities.

More than 40 years later, Mae and Father Martin’s legacy continues on Ashley’s 147-acre campus, where we believe in a future in which SUD prevention, treatment, remission, and recovery are accessible to all who want it. Our comprehensive services provide individualized compassionate care that fosters hope and empowers individuals to reclaim their lives from the grips of SUDs.

Dollars raised out of our $20,000,000 goal.

Accelerate Research to Advance Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Through the Unlocking Ashley’s Future Campaign, we seek financial support to:
Build a Research Center: Very few SUD treatment centers have any research component, let alone a dedicated facility and staff. This campaign will allow Ashley to be an industry leader in advancing SUD medicine by building a Research Center on our campus. This physical plant will serve as a hub of research, innovation, and thought leadership for the field of SUD treatment.

Ashley is already at the forefront of research, and over the past three years we have created an infrastructure for our research program, including:

• Establishing relationships with world-renowned institutions like The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, along with companies such as FitBit and Trac9, in order to focus on biometrics and clinical data;
• Collecting and analyzing data that will help us discover improved treatment modalities at all levels of care, including detox, residential, partial hospitalization programming, intensive outpatient, and outpatient; and
• Continuing to publish our research findings in peer-reviewed academic journals to inform and shape the future of SUD treatment.

Enrich the Patient and Family Experience

At Ashley, we seek to form lifelong connections with patients and their families. Our research shows that the longer the engagement with patients and families, the more favorable the outcome; as such, we have a goal to provide direct engagement for one full year following treatment. We know Ashley is only the first stop on the journey to recovery; once patients leave our campus, they have the opportunity to become part of a robust alumni program that includes regional and virtual meetings, home groups, and one-on-one connections.

Establish a Family Services and Alumni Program Center: Total commitment from the family — partners, parents, caregivers, children, and other relatives — makes a significant difference in lifelong recovery. It takes participation from an entire support system for a loved one to get well and stay well. Renovating a previously purchased 5,000 sq. ft. private residence adjacent to campus (currently known as Namvary House) will allow us to expand our Family Services and Alumni programming to provide comprehensive education and long-term engagement.

Enhance the Environment of Care

A nurturing environment is a crucial component of recovery. Restful, peaceful, and beautiful facilities promote focused healing. Our historic 147-acre main campus in Havre de Grace, Maryland, overlooks the majestic Chesapeake Bay. This beautiful setting is the perfect location for patients to experience total immersion in our holistic treatment programs. Alumni often recount Ashley’s physical surroundings as part of their healing journey.

While Ashley’s Endowment Fund provides more than $2 million annually for basic maintenance, critical renovations and enhancements are needed to preserve our campus and continue to provide the ideal setting patients need to heal their mind, body, and spirit. These necessary capital repairs and renovations include:

• Patient Room and Bathroom Renovations: We want all Ashley patients to have a clean, safe, and comfortable environment while in treatment. In total, we need to renovate 45 patient rooms and 33 bathrooms, along with purchasing new furnishings.
• Elevator Replacement/Installation: In Bantle and Noble Halls, respectively, to ensure our facilities are accessible to all.
• Grounds Upgrades: Building activity courts to provide a space for entertainment, exercise, and community outdoors.
• HVAC Upgrades and Maintenance: COVID-19 highlighted the importance of indoor air quality. Our HVAC system is in dire need of an upgrade to ensure a healthy, safe, and comfortable environment on campus.

Increase Our Impact through Scholarships

Through the Unlocking Ashley’s Future Campaign, we seek to grow the Scholarship Fund to offer financial support to more individuals while also expanding the Fund to include access to Family Services. This investment will ensure quality Substance Use Disorder treatment and education is accessible to as many individuals and families as possible, fulfilling a vital component of Ashley’s mission.

Scholarship Funds to Support:

• Ashley Scholarship Fund
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship Fund
• Emerging Adults Scholarship Fund
• Family Services Scholarship Fund
• Janel Claire Hudson Women’s Scholarship Fund
• Mae Abraham Legacy Women’s Scholarship Fund
• Stephen Zanardelli Room and Board Fund