Victory Programs

08/31/2026

This morning, the Boston Common was transformed into a quiet, breathtaking sea of purple as we gathered to plant thousands of flags for International Overdose Awareness Day.

This year’s global theme, "25 Years On. Still Needed," carries a heavy truth. We wish a day like today wasn't necessary. But as we stood on the grass today, we were reminded that remembrance is a powerful, active form of care.

Our team from the Jamaica Plain Recovery Center (JPRC), alongside Victory Programs President and CEO Sarah Porter, joined hands with community advocates and state leaders to stand in solidarity. Listening to a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace" echo across the Common, the air was thick with both grief and undeniable resilience.

During the memorial, Governor Maura Healey stepped to the microphone and asked the crowd to look past the titles and dignitaries, calling on everyone to make the space about the people who truly matter:

“A friend, someone who was deeply loved and taken from us too soon... I just want to take a moment. We heard names and different ones of us and dignitaries and the like. The names to all of us that actually matter. The names of your loved ones. So take a moment. Shout out the name of your loved one.”

In that spirit of radical honor, we called out their names. We planted flags for siblings, friends, clients, and family. We plant these flags to show that grief does not have to be carried in silence, and that every single life lost was a person who was deeply loved.

To our peer volunteers, staff, and community partners who showed up early this morning to turn remembrance into a visible promise: thank you. To everyone still fighting, still healing, and still here—Victory Programs stands with you. Our red doors remain open, offering dignity, respect, and health-focused care without unnecessary obstacles.

If you are looking for a community of support on your journey, or want to learn how you can help keep our community safe, please visit our website.

08/30/2026

On the eve of International Overdose Awareness Day, we are amplifying the voices of the individuals we serve. Behind every statistic in the overdose crisis is a person with a story of profound bravery, survival, and quiet triumph.

Hear directly from residents in our recovery programs on what motivates them to keep fighting:

💜 “My husband passed away from an overdose. I don't want it to happen to me. I want to live.” — A resident of New Joelyn's Home

💜 “No person in active addiction needs to die. It's possible to recover, no matter what your circumstance is.” — Denika, LARC Alum

💜 “I've lost 30 friends and family members to addiction. I'm the last one still fighting.” — Vanessa, Portis Family Home Alum

At Victory Programs, we believe that recovery has many paths and is rarely linear. Stable, supportive housing is a crucial foundation for long-term healing—providing the safety, dignity, and security people need to rebuild their lives.

Our residential recovery homes offer more than just a place to stay; they deliver compassionate, round-the-clock care, peer support, and clinical stabilization without unnecessary barriers. When individuals have a safe place to land, recovery becomes possible. Our red doors will always remain open to welcome everyone, meeting people exactly where they are on their journey.

08/29/2026

Overdose awareness and healing isn’t just about the words we say—it’s about the tangible, daily practices we use to protect one another. 💜

Earlier this month, our community at the JP Recovery Center (JPRC) gathered for a deeply moving workshop: Crafting to Commemorate Lost Loved Ones. Side-by-side, participants and staff came together to hand-sew custom fabric pouches designed specifically to carry life-saving naloxone (Narcan).

Taking time to honor those we have lost by sharing stories and photos, each stitch served as both a personal tribute and a physical shield to keep our neighbors safe.

At Victory Programs, we believe recovery is a non-linear journey of reclaiming connection, health, and purpose. Where traditional models often rely on rigid compliance, our team chooses a different path—meeting people where they are through compassionate, individual-centered care. While our residential programs provide clinical stabilization, long-term recovery thrives on ongoing, peer-led connection, which is why the JPRC provides a safe space to break isolation and build lasting community. These handmade pouches are a beautiful extension of that daily effort to deliver life-saving tools directly to those who need them most.

♥️ If you or a loved one is seeking a supportive, peer-led community, our doors are open: jprecoverycenter.org.

Swipe to see our community holding up photos of loved ones alongside our "JPRC Remembers" poster, as well as participants hand-stitching the custom Narcan pouches.

08/28/2026

A safe place to call home changes everything. ❤️🏘️

As National Supportive Housing Week comes to a close, we’re reflecting on why this model is so essential. Check out this staggering data from the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)—it shows that supportive housing isn't just the most compassionate solution to ending homelessness, it's also the most effective.

Relying on emergency shelters, jails, and hospital visits costs our communities drastically more than simply providing someone with a permanent roof over their head. At Victory Programs, we know that when individuals are met with immediate access to safe, stable housing and health-focused care, they can finally step out of survival mode.

Supportive housing allows people to reconnect with their communities, focus on their health, and build a brighter future without unnecessary obstacles.

As we wrap up Supportive Housing Week, let's keep the momentum going: let's invest in solutions that heal, not systems that punish.

📢 Help us spread this important fact during Supportive Housing Week

Supportive housing provides lasting stability at a lower daily cost than other responses to homelessness. It is a proven investment in people and a better use of public resources.

08/28/2026

If you are walking around Jamaica Plain and Greater Boston this week, you’ll notice vibrant purple bows 💜 lining neighborhood streets. Our team at the JP Recovery Center (JPRC) was honored to join the Devine Recovery Center in hanging ribbons for the 5th Annual Scars In Heaven Adopt-A-Pole initiative to honor loved ones lost to overdose. Special thanks to the Gavin Foundation for their sponsorship of this initiative and for serving as the local hub for bow pickup and distribution!

💜 As JPRC Program Director Adrienne Martin shares:
"Putting the names of their loved ones on the purple bows was an emotional and meaningful experience, giving people a special way to honor, remember, and keep the memory of those lost to overdose alive!"

At Victory Programs, we believe recovery is a non-linear journey of reclaiming connection, health, and purpose. Where traditional models often rely on rigid compliance, our team chooses a different path—meeting people where they are through compassionate, individual-centered care. While our residential programs provide clinical stabilization, long-term recovery thrives on ongoing, peer-led connection, which is why the JPRC provides a safe space to break isolation and build lasting community.

These ribbons will remain up through September—Recovery Month—as visible symbols of remembrance, dignity, and hope. They stand as a daily promise that we will never stop standing with those who are still here, still healing, and still fighting.

08/28/2026

Grateful for a powerful day of learning and connection at the Encore Boston Harbor Nonprofit Leadership Retreat!

Big thank you to Encore Boston Harbor and Wynn Resorts for hosting us yesterday. In the words of Alvin Toffler, leadership today requires us to "learn, unlearn, and relearn"—and this retreat pushed our team to do just that alongside so many incredible Greater Boston peers.

It was inspiring to build meaningful connections with incredible peer organizations like Animal Rescue League of Boston, , , , , .angell, .river.watershed, and so many others!

Events like this energize us to think innovatively, break down silos, and work cooperatively to strengthen our communities.

08/26/2026

As the world mourns the loss of Dolly Parton, we join millions in celebrating her extraordinary legacy of love, empathy, and advocacy.

During the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, Dolly chose active compassion over fear. As she famously shared, every person deserves to be seen, accepted, and loved:

"I try to get into the human element of it... I’ve got transgender people. I’ve got g**s. I’ve got le****ns. I’ve got drunks. I’ve got drug addicts — all within my own family. I know and love them all, and I do not judge... That’s who they are. They cannot help that any more than I can help being Dolly Parton."

Today, as policy landscapes shift toward punitive measures over compassionate solutions, Dolly's message has never been more vital. At Victory Programs, her spirit of radical hospitality guides everything we do—keeping our red doors wide open to welcome everyone with unconditional respect, dignity, and care.

Read our full reflection on how Dolly’s legacy inspires our ongoing policy advocacy and community support on our website and in the comments.

08/18/2026

A huge thank you to the fantastic volunteer team from the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General for spending a summer afternoon with us at the The Boston Living Center!

While the day-to-day work of Life at Treasury MA keeps key state programs and initiatives running smoothly across Massachusetts, this dedicated group brought that same commitment right to our dining room—serving nutritious meals, sharing warm conversations, and bringing bright smiles to our members.

Thank you for standing with our community and demonstrating what true public service looks like in action!

Interested in group volunteer opportunities at Victory Programs? Learn how your office can get involved by visiting vpi.org/volunteer or emailing [email protected] today!

08/14/2026

As we prepare for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, community spaces of remembrance are vital for healing and grief support.

At Victory Programs, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our program at the JP Recovery Center (JPRC) for partnering with Support After a Death by Overdose (SADOD) to organize tonight’s Craft to Commemorate Loved Ones gathering and vigil.

Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: 120 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA

To learn more about this evening's program or to explore other events at JPRC, visit https://www.jprecoverycenter.org/. Join us for these upcoming events designed to strengthen recovery and build community!

08/14/2026

Drink Coffee. Make an Impact. ☕️ ♥️ For the entire month of August, treat yourself to the Red Velvet Victory Mocha at The Well Coffee House!

20% of all sales from this special drink (hot, iced, or frozen!) go directly to support Victory Programs’ shelter, health, and recovery services across Greater Boston.

Grab yours at any of their 4 locations:📍 Everett | State Street | East Boston | Tremont

Thank you, The Well Coffee House, for pouring so much love into our community! 🥤✨