New Directions for Women

In 1977, the landscape for addiction treatment was missing a key component: a place for women. Pamela Wilder, a recovering alcoholic herself, identified this gap and stood up at a Junior League of Orange County meeting to ask for help. With the support of Marion Schoen and Muriel Zink, this bold move planted the seeds for New Directions for Women. Their goal was to create an affordable and accessible recovery program designed specifically for women. The organization started as a project of the Junior League, becoming an independent non-profit in 1982. This was a pivotal moment, allowing them to expand from a social model recovery home to a full-service treatment provider. A significant evolution occurred in 2001 with the establishment of The Pamela Wilder Family Home, which allowed women to undergo treatment without giving up custody of their children—a profound differentiator in the field. This addressed a huge barrier to entry for mothers seeking help. Over the decades, New Directions has continued to build on this foundation, adding services like an on-campus early childhood development program and intensive outpatient options. It remains one of the few facilities in the country where women can bring their children into residential treatment. Having served over 5,000 women since its inception, the organization's journey shows a consistent focus on a clear, unmet need and the power of a model designed by women, for women.