Serenity Place had its beginnings in 1977, when a small group of people from the Manchester area became concerned with the growing problems of alcohol and drug abuse not only in Manchester, but also in the State of New Hampshire and in the whole country. This group included the late John Sweeney, Kay Boisvert, Arthur Card and Joe Therrien. This concern led them to conduct a number of educational programs about addiction problems at many of the City's schools. They became more and more convinced about the seriousness of addiction problems and that there was a need for people to become involved. They established a council called the Greater Manchester Alcoholism Council aimed at providing treatment and preventative programs and facilities for low income people with addiction problems. In 1983, under the name of the National council on Alcoholism, Greater Manchester, a crisis and treatment center was established at 88 Hanover Street in Manchester with five beds for men and two for women. Later, in 1984, the Council was awarded a contract by the State of New Hampshire to provide a program of mandatory education for those drivers who were convicted of a first DWI offense. This program, called REAP (Resources for Evaluation of Alcohol Problems), has become an important component of Serenity Place serving over 700 clients a year.

The Hanover Street Crisis center moved to the Hillsborough County House of Correction in 1985 and then back to the Hanover Street address in 1986. By this time, the Center was called the Sobriety Maintenance Center and Crisis Site, defining the services being offered to an expanding number of needy clients. The population of the city of Manchester was growing, so too were the problems of drug and alcohol addiction. The Hanover Street address became a haven for alcoholics and drug addicts who were referred there by a number of agencies throughout the State. More beds and additional services were added to meet these needs.

As the Center grew in purpose and complexity, a Board of Directors was named to oversee its operation and to serve as its legal entity contracting with the State of New Hampshire for the portion of its operating budget. This board was composed of concerned citizens in Greater Manchester who were willing to volunteer their time and energy in overseeing the agencies activities. Doctor John Sweeney, the Board's first President, saw a need to move the facility from Hanover Street to a more accommodating location. The Hanover address was too small for the expanding number of clients, and lacked adequate kitchen and sleeping space, and it had very little room for classes and offices. Also, the REAP program was in a different location on Elm Street. Executive Director Lou Gifford was in charge of the Center when it moved to its present location at 93 - 101 Manchester Street.

In 1995, Professor William J Farrell was named President of the Board and a new Executive Director, Elaine Benson, was hired to run the operations of the Center. A number of Board Committees were established aimed at increasing the efficiency of its operation. In addition, new sources of funding were pursued from the State of New Hampshire, local banks, funding agencies, the City of Manchester and private individuals. Programs, such as lectures by the world-renowned authority on alcoholism, Father Joseph Martin, added public awareness of the Center's operations, and the "Courage to Change Award" banquet and auction became one of its centerpieces with Kay Boisvert the first recipient of the award.

John Ciaramella became the Center's Executive Director in 1996. Under the guidance of an expanding Board of Directors, he was able to improve the Center's physical appearance with new furnishing, paint, flooring, a new kitchen, as well as other needed amenities. In January of 1999, the Board of Directors agreed to change the Center's name to Serenity Place. This gave an identity to its functions. Serenity Place still maintains its long-standing affiliation with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Many refer to the agency as NCADD Serenity Place in recognition of this national identity and the laudable work done by NCADD in establishing and encouraging treatment facilities for drug and alcohol dependency.

The name change to Serenity Place was made to identify the center as one agency with its three programs; Crisis Intervention, Sobriety Maintenance and REAP. It also gives the center a public recognition as being one agency.

In 2000, Professor Farrell's tenure as President of the Board expired, and Attorney James Craig replaced him in that office. After John Ciaramella retired as Executive Director, Louis Craig, who had been the Executive Director of New Horizons in Manchester, was selected to take his place. Under the guidance of Attorney Craig and with the energy and dynamic personality of its new executive director, Serenity Place has entered into a new phase. From its humble beginnings, it now serves over 550 clients a year and is regarded as one of the most successful treatment facilities in the State of New Hampshire. It now offers a number of treatment and counseling services for those who are addicted or troubled because of the abuse of alcohol or drugs. Under Louis Craig's direction, successful golf tournaments are held each year at Candia Woods, fund raising grant applications have been awarded for significant improvements in the facility. Manchester together with this country and the world is growing in population and in complexity. With this growth, there are new and more demanding problems. There are many more people suffering the consequences of addiction, and there is a need of a number of new programs to meet this challenge. Serenity Place recognizes that reality. The agency is now actively involved in seeking a new location, as well as financial assistance, in order to develop better and more efficient treatment programs designed to meet these needs.

There is a visible identity that Serenity Place shares with its benefactors and with the city of Manchester. The agencies colorful logo is visible on the Serenity Place sign that hangs outside the building on Manchester Street, and it is the frontispiece of its attractive brochure. Its logo stands as a clear and brilliant reminder that there is always a ray of hope for those who suffer from the terrible consequences of substance abuse. It stands as a bright and steady beacon guiding the work of its director and staff, its Board of Directors, its volunteers and the many people who have contributed their efforts to the mission of Serenity Place. It stands as a promise that this work will continue so long as there is a need. It stands as a proud testimony of the thirty-one years of service Serenity Place has offered those who seek serenity and wisdom, and who pursue the courage to change….one day at a time.

William Farrell