The Retreat and Otto Bremer Foundation Provide Scholarship Funds to Outstate Minnesota Residents Seeking Addiction Recovery Services

Funds Are Available Through Nov. 12 for Individuals, Families
and Community Members Outside 7-County Metro

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Thanks to a grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation, The Retreat, a Twin
Cities-based peer-to-peer addiction recovery program, has made $250,000
in scholarship funds available in 2015 to individuals and families
within outstate Minnesota who seek recovery services. Having served 63
individuals thus far using scholarship funds, approx. $50,000 is still
available for those who apply by Nov. 12, 2015.

Few problems impede the health and success of an individual more than
addiction, and for communities outside a metropolitan area, the problem
is considerably worsened by isolation and lack of resources. To combat
this, the Otto Bremer Foundation has provided a substantial sum to The
Retreat to support individuals and families in outstate Minnesota who
need and seek The Retreat’s services. The sole criteria is the applicant
express a desire to recover and request the help to do so.

“We couldn’t be more grateful to the Otto Bremer Foundation. These
scholarships will open the door to recovery for people who are often
overlooked,” says John Curtiss, president and CEO for The Retreat. “Our
model has always been to keep recovery affordable and accessible, and
this grant helps make that possible for residents of Greater Minnesota
who want and need assistance in their recovery process.”

Scholarships are provided, minus an ability-based contribution, so that
applicants may access any of the The Retreat’s programs – including
30-day residential, non-residential, Older Adult programs, long-term
sober-living, weekend retreats, family programs, and more.

For more than 17 years, The Retreat has helped individuals and families
struggling with addiction to build new, sober and productive lives in
recovery. Its high-outcome methods of peer-to-peer service, grounded in
the Twelve Step principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, represent a
non-clinical, mutual-help approach to the problem of alcohol and drug
dependency, and have been studied and replicated across the country and
abroad. With these scholarship funds, additional Minnesotans may access
recovery in an affordable, effective program.

Since 1998, The Retreat has helped more than 17,000 people access a life
of meaningful and productive recovery. A 30-day residential stay at The
Retreat costs $4,900; other addiction treatment programs can cost
between $30,000 and $50,000.

Already in 2015, the Otto Bremer scholarships have served 63 individuals
from communities such as St. Cloud, Duluth, Rochester and Mankato.
Approximately $50,000 are still available from the program’s inaugural
funds.

For more information about scholarship funds and recovery services,
please contact: 952.476.0566, 877.446.9283 or visit www.theretreat.org.

About The Retreat
The Retreat’s mission is to improve the
quality of life for individuals, families and communities affected by
alcohol and drug dependency by providing affordable, effective
educational services grounded in the Twelve Step principles of
Alcoholics Anonymous. The Retreat is an innovative residential recovery
continuum that provides time out for those in need. The Retreat is a
mutual-help approach to the problem of alcohol and drug dependency. This
supportive, educational setting is grounded in the spiritual principles
of AA. By providing a safe and supportive environment to study and
practice these principles, The Retreat opens the door to a life of
contented sobriety. “We believe that if we provide a dignified, safe and
supportive environment, accurate information about the problem and
the solution, and a solid bridge to Alcoholics Anonymous, people
will recover,” according to President and CEO John Curtiss. For more
information, please visit: www.theretreat.org

About the Otto Bremer Foundation
Created in 1944, the Otto
Bremer Foundation assists people in achieving full economic, civic and
social participation in and for the betterment of their communities.
This mission is based on the intent of founder Otto Bremer. His vision
and longstanding commitment to communities during and after the Great
Depression are carried forward today through the Foundation’s work in
the places that are homes and neighbors to Bremer banks. The Foundation
strives to help build healthy, vibrant communities – communities are
basic needs are met, mutual regard is prized and opportunities for
economic, civic and social participation are within everyone’s reach. To
learn more, please visit www.ottobremer.org.

Contacts

For The Retreat
Anne Schopen, 763-227-1644
schopen@pineapplerm.com