Our Residential Program is at the heart of Odyssey. It provides a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment where individuals commit to recovery while receiving holistic support, including medical care, counselling, and skills training. Recently, Odyssey acquired access to additional property adjacent to our Eagle Vale site. The buildings are currently not fit for purpose and ...
Odyssey House NSW
Revitalising the Odyssey Eagle Vale Residential Centre
GOAL
$200,000
Australia > NSW > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Health/wellbeing and medical research
- Individual/family services and support
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- People experiencing or at risk of homelessness
Odyssey House NSW
Odyssey House NSW was founded in 1977 by Sydney businessman, Walter McGrath. Mr McGrath brought the Odyssey House model of long-term residential rehabilitation from the United States of America to Australia. From humble beginnings, the program has expanded to be one of the largest and most successful alcohol and other drug (AOD) rehabilitation services in Australia.
OUR VISION
A world free of addiction.
OUR PURPOSE
To build safe and healthy communities by reducing the impact of substance use on individuals, families, carers and communities.
OUR IMPACT
Over the last five decades, we have supported more than 50,000 people to turn their lives around.
OUR WORK
We provide treatment, personalised support, and education to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals impacted by AOD use.
Our programs address the full spectrum of AOD-related challenges, from physical and mental health to trauma, family breakdown, social disadvantage, and contact with the justice system. By offering a continuum of care that includes withdrawal, residential rehabilitation, in-community programs, family support, and culturally safe services, we help individuals rebuild their lives and create lasting pathways to recovery.
We work with people experiencing intersecting social issues, including domestic violence, homelessness, unemployment, and criminal justice involvement. Our wraparound, trauma-informed approach supports individuals and families to overcome these barriers, break cycles of disadvantage, and move toward stability and independence.
Our prevention and education work, through Community Drug Action Teams across NSW, empowers local groups to reduce AOD-related harms and promote healthier, safer and stronger communities.
Project Summary
Our Residential Program is at the heart of Odyssey. It provides a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment where individuals commit to recovery while receiving holistic support, including medical care, counselling, and skills training.
Recently, Odyssey acquired access to additional property adjacent to our Eagle Vale site. The buildings are currently not fit for purpose and need major renovation. We are currently constrained by limited space, with small classrooms not conducive to adult learning, accommodation sleeping 3-5 residents per bedroom and a significant shortage of dedicated therapy and counselling spaces. This presents a rare opportunity to expand and transform our centre, providing higher quality care and improving recovery rates.
Our goal is to revitalise and expand our residential centre. The refurbished buildings will become the new home of Odyssey College – Odyssey’s education arm, while providing additional trauma-informed therapy spaces, modern bedrooms and living spaces.
We are dedicated to exceeding expectations in the quality of life for residents.
-With purpose-built classrooms designed to support adult learning, it will be a major improvement on current compact classrooms.
– We will create dual-occupancy bedrooms to replace the current dormitory-style rooms, giving residents greater privacy and dignity.
– For the first time, we will create dedicated disability access rooms to support clients with mobility needs, ensuring inclusive, and accessible care for all.
– The redevelopment will provide additional counselling and group rooms to better support therapy and connection.
This project reflects our commitment to creating safe and welcoming environments where people feel nurtured and empowered to thrive.
Project Outcomes
1. Increased capacity and stronger retention
By expanding and improving the Residential Centre, we will be able to better support residents to stay engaged in their recovery journey. Progress will be tracked through changes in occupancy rates and program completion.
2. Improved client care and experience
A more comfortable, private, and thoughtfully designed environment will directly enhance the care we provide. We will listen closely to the voices of our residents and staff through qualitative feedback, capturing how the spaces support dignity, safety, and the recovery process.
3. Stronger recovery outcomes
Recovery is at the heart of everything we do. Using our Client Outcome Measurement System (COMS), we will track meaningful changes in residents’ lives, including reduced dependence, decreased psychological distress, and an improved overall quality of life.
4. Enhanced education outcomes
Through Odyssey College, residents are supported to rebuild confidence and skills for the future. We will evaluate the impact of the new learning spaces through pre- and post-renovation surveys, ensuring the space truly supports growth and opportunity.
5. Greater staff efficiency and wellbeing
Our staff play a vital role in every recovery journey. We will gather feedback from staff on the usability and functionality of the new spaces on staff meetings and through staff surveys.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $1,300,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Philanthropic donations and reserves | $850,000 |
| Funding Gap | $200,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Remediation work, reconfiguration, FFE, contingency and project overheads | $1,300,000 |
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