HISTORY AND VISION
Brief History
Kevin McDonald, President
Kevin R. McDonald is the President and Founder of Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, (TROSA), a nationally recognized non-profit, two-year, residential recovery program located in Durham, North Carolina.
Since coming to Durham in 1994, Kevin has been the driving force that has shaped TROSA into a unique 501(c)(3) entrepreneurial nonprofit dedicated to helping substance abusers change their lives. Drawing on his 12 years of experience at The Delancey Street Foundation, Kevin has created an innovative, highly structured and disciplined program that provides two-years of residential treatment in a community-oriented environment.
The Founding Years: 1994 - 1996
Several years of planning pay off and TROSA becomes a working organization in 1994 with newly hired Executive Director Kevin McDonald at the helm and $18,000 in the bank.
Durham County Commissioners vote unanimously to lease the Old North Durham Elementary school to TROSA for $1 per year.
The first two staff members arrive in August and TROSA begins accepting residents in October. Together they begin renovating the school and working in a fledgling business, peeling potatoes.
TROSA opens a moving business after finding an existing moving company going bankrupt and purchasing its license.
By 1996, TROSA grows to 100 residents and six staff, and their businesses include vegetable processing, selling construction industry products, and moving.
TROSA's annual cash and in-kind contributions budget grows to $880,000. Computers and supplies donated by IBM, GTE, and Duke support TROSA's education program.
Residents build tremendous goodwill in the community by helping their neighbors clean up after Hurricane Fran.
TROSA celebrates its first four graduates.
TROSA purchases the former Flav-o-Rich dairy on James Street. The new 13-acre site has 3 buildings, 6 automotive bays, office space, and 100,000 sq. ft. of storage.
The Growing Years: 1997 -2001
In 1997, the TROSA community grows to 125 residents and the budget expands to $1.3 million.
TROSA Moving serves 880 clients in North Carolina and 55 across the country.
TROSA businesses expand to include moving, painting, bricklaying, catering, framing, and furniture refurbishing.
By 1999, 500 substance abusers have been served by TROSA, and while not all of them stay for the entire two years, they all benefit from their experience at TROSA.
TROSA begins offering residents aftercare services including long-term housing options and ongoing therapeutic support.
By 2001, the TROSA community includes 300 residents and a full time staff of fifteen.
Kevin McDonald, now President and CEO of TROSA, wins the prestigious Leadership for a Changing World Award given by the Ford Foundation.
TROSA becomes the largest independent mover in the Triangle region and completes more than 5,000 moves per year.
With the help of Duke University Medical School, TROSA begins accepting substance abusers who also require mental health care.
Moving to the Next Level: 2002 - present
TROSA envisions a plan to develop the James Street property into a 6 million dollar campus that will house 275 residents and begins raising money to support this expansion.
Business operations move to warehouses on Mallard Avenue and Neville Street.
The campaign to raise funds for the James Street campus gets off to a fabulous start with several substantial gifts and pledges.
In 2004, TROSA grows to 325 residents and a full time staff of nearly 40 people. This growth continues.
The organization has purchased and renovated more than 30 properties in Durham. More than 400 residents, graduates and staff now live in TROSA-owned housing.
An on-site medical clinic is opened at the James Street campus.
TROSA purchases the L.C. Industries for the Blind building in the 1800 block of E. Main St. for the expanding moving and storage business.
New Apartment buildings and Town homes are completed on the James Street campus thereby providing housing for over 100.
TROSA completes construction of new Community Center/gymnasium in 2010 and plans to break ground on new dormitories.
Vision for the Future
TROSA plans to expand its 13-acre property at 1820 James Street into a central campus. When complete, this campus will provide housing for approximately 275 recovering substance abusers. The creation of this central campus will help us improve the services for our residents, while at the same time reducing long-term operating costs. The expanded campus will also further our ability to train others in TROSA's model.
Campus Expansion
For people who are struggling to overcome severe substance abuse, safe and affordable housing can make the difference between success and failure. If a person lives in a supportive and drug-free environment, they are more able to focus on changing their behaviors and getting the life and job skills they need in order to transition into a sober, independent life. At TROSA, we are committed to providing holistic treatment for people wanting to overcome their substance addictions. This includes providing housing for all residents enrolled in our two-year program, as well as graduates who participate in our aftercare programs and wish to continue to live in our housing.
Train Others
TROSA's efforts to develop a more consolidated and integrated campus will also move us forward toward our goal of becoming a model long-term therapeutic community. We envision making use of the expanded educational facilities to train others in TROSA's unique model.
We know that the eradication of substance abuse in this country and elsewhere around the globe is far off in the future, however if sharing our model can help additional families, it will make a huge difference in the lives of those desperate to have a new chance in life. Sharing our success, our vision, and our model is important because TROSA believes in the greater good and everyone's potential to be successful and valuable members of society.
Goals 2010-2011
1. TROSA will complete construction of two new dormitories some time in 2011 once the remaining funding is secured. TROSA has already raised $900,000 toward this construction; however, another $200,000 is needed. We are counting on support from the community to make up the difference. To contribute toward this goal, you can make a donation here. (Link to: http://www.trosainc.org/support/contribution.htm)
2. TROSA will serve more than 700 men and women in our program this year. In FY 2009-2010, TROSA gave a total of 777 residents the opportunity to treat their substance abuse disorder, advance their education, gain vocational skills, access medical care, improve their interpersonal and leadership skills, and learn how to re-enter the larger community. Throughout our 16 year history, and even in today’s economic climate, TROSA has offered treatment to anyone who meets the criteria of our program and currently, we still offer treatment with no charge to the individual. Our staff and residents are devoted to ensuring that we can keep the doors open not only for the current residents but also for the next person who needs help.
3. One measure of success that we look at is how our graduates are doing after they complete TROSA’s program. TROSA will continue to work with our graduates to maintain their recovery. We have a dedicated Aftercare department who facilitate bi-weekly support groups and transitional services for our graduates. Our goal is to have 85% or more of our graduates still employed and sober 1 year after completing TROSA’s two-year program. Last year’s study found that one year after graduation 95% of our graduates were still employed, and only 8% had relapsed (national rates predict a relapse rate of at least 40%).