The Turning Point at Washington has been in business at the same location and operated by the same person, Patricia J. Lutz, since 1991. Located in Washington, PA, a quiet, residential city neighborhood, the Turning Point residential program provides a safe, supportive and chemical free environment that facilitates the development of a healthy recovery. The facilities are conveniently situated with easy access to public transportation, churches, schools, shopping areas and Twelve-Step programs. Numerous employment opportunities are available within walking distance.

The Turning Point campus consists of five (5) properties. One home, which is regarded as a historic site, houses the halfway house program. Capacity for the halfway house has grown from an original eight (8) beds to twenty-four (24) beds. One home houses the administrative offices of the organization. Two homes function as three-quarterway homes.

The final property, Julie\'s House, is a residential treatment program for women with minor children, which opened in August 2010. This program has completed the long-range vision set down by the Founder in 1991.

All in all, the Turning Point has served as an anchor of hope for those in addiction recovery and as a stabilizing force in Washington and the neighborhood in which it is located. With five (5) properties, a workforce of fifteen (15) people and an annual operating budget nearing $450,000 for all current programs, the Turning Point is a beacon of strength for the North Main Street Washington neighborhood.

The Turning Point at Washington is an organization that provides continuing care for those who suffer from the disease of addiction and is committed to assisting the next generation in clarifying life's goals and rebuilding their lives.

The professional staff at the Turning Point implements a program of recovery designed to address the individual woman's physical, emotional, spiritual and vocational needs. There are several components:

Counseling- Each resident receives individual and group counseling to address the issues that contributed to or stem from her addiction as well as education about the disease of addiction.

Life Skills- Developing responsibility and improving self-esteem are goals underlying each woman's treatment plan. After an introductory, each resident is expected to find and maintain full-time employment in the community. She must contribute to the cost of her treatment, perform household chores, and help with cooking for herself and the other residents and participate in governing of the household.

12 Step Groups- All residents are expected to become active and participate in the local 12 step communities.




Mission Statement: Our Mission The Turning Point Halfway House in Washington, Pennsylvania, has served the Washington community since 1991. The trust in the original mission of service to women in recovery has been steadfast and unwavering. Over the last nineteen (19) years, the goals of founder, Patricia J. Lutz, M.Ed.; C.A.C.; C.E.D.T., have been upheld by the strength of the organization. The Turning Point at Washington has served some one thousand (1,000) clients at its residential treatment facility on North Main Street. Most of these clients have been women from Washington and surrounding counties. All have benefited, some more than others, from our drug and alcohol treatment program. Our most recent internal studies show that over 40% of our clients served during 2008 remained drug-free and 'coined out' as they successfully completed our program. A benchmark in which we take particular pride!