For Ascension Recovery Services, 2025 was not just another year of projects, openings, and milestones. It was a year that reminded us why we exist — to build programs that change lives, support communities, and bring recovery within reach for people who often have nowhere else to turn.
At our core, we are an organization built by people in recovery, for people in recovery. That lived experience shapes everything we do — the way we design programs, the partners we choose, and the commitments we make long after a ribbon cutting. This year tested that commitment in meaningful ways, from complex multi-state expansions to Tribal nation partnerships to the turnaround of struggling facilities that needed more than operational support — they needed hope.
Below is a look back at what made 2025 extraordinary.
The Midwest: Building Full-Continuum Recovery Markets from the Ground Up
Our work with the Nelson portfolio represented a major highlight of the year. With new facilities opening in Indiana and Iowa — and additional sites already underway — 2025 reinforced ARS’s role as a long-term partner with the expertise to stand up entire regional care ecosystems.
· Columbus, Indiana welcomed a new 54-bed detox and residential facility in January.
· Throughout the year, the program expanded through acquisition, bringing IOP and MAT into the fold.
· Iowa City opened its own 60-bed center, strengthening a growing triangle-of-care across the state.
· A fourth facility in Mishawaka, Indiana is on track for a January 2026 opening.
Access gaps in the Midwest are profound — and without the right infrastructure, people slip through the cracks. Watching these communities gain access to detox, residential, MAT,
and outpatient services under one integrated vision was one of the year’s proudest achievements.
The Pacific Northwest: Turning Struggle into Strength
Three years ago, Ascension RS developed Holman Recovery Center in Everett, Washington — a residential program built with heart and strong mission alignment. When challenges emerged and the organization faced setbacks, they came back to us not for a redesign, but for help rebuilding.
Our team stepped in to stabilize operations, reestablish clinical consistency, and restore financial viability. That shared success led to one of 2025’s most meaningful moments: breaking ground on Freedom Bridge, a second facility in Arlington that will bring detox and residential services to a region that desperately needs both.
Recovery is rarely linear — for individuals or for organizations. Holman’s story is a reminder that with the right support, setbacks can become new beginnings.
New Hampshire: A Turnaround Story That Shows What’s Possible
In Laconia, New Hampshire, Paugus Bay Behavioral Health approached ARS after struggling to maintain stability in its outpatient and sober-living programs. The community needed a reset — clinically, operationally, and financially.
Within a year, Ascension RS helped transform the program into a cash-flow–positive operation, restoring confidence for staff, leadership, and families. The facility now serves as a model for rural communities wrestling with resource shortages and growing demand.
This was not just a turnaround — it was a reaffirmation that even in the most resource-constrained environments, the right structure and leadership can restore hope.
Pawnee Nation: A Landmark in Tribal-Owned, Culturally Grounded Treatment
Perhaps the most significant milestone of 2025 was our work with Pawnee Nation, one of the very few fully Tribal-owned and Tribal-operated recovery programs in the United States.
Under the leadership of Program Manager Brian Kirk, the program launched in phases:
· May: Intensive Outpatient Program
· June: Detox and Residential Treatment
By the fall, occupancy had doubled and revenue was tracking ahead of schedule.
This wasn’t just a launch — it was a demonstration of sovereignty in behavioral health, cultural integration, and a true partnership approach. Seeing Tribal and non-Tribal members access care in a space built on cultural dignity will remain a defining accomplishment for our team.
Looking Forward: 2026 and the Road Ahead
As we close out 2025, we do so with a deep sense of gratitude — for the clients who trusted us, the communities that welcomed us, and the staff members who did the hard work every single day.
The coming year brings new facilities, new Tribal partnerships, more turnarounds, and more opportunities to deliver sustainable recovery solutions nationwide. But our north star remains unchanged: to honor the principles of recovery, lead with compassion and operational excellence, and build programs that endure.
For everyone who walked alongside Ascension RS this year — thank you. The work is not easy, but it is meaningful, and we are proud to be part of the solution.
Here’s to a hopeful, purpose-driven 2026.