2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Building community. That’s what we’ve done. You have to lose everything you think you know in order to start something better.
-Jen M.Program Coordinator & Cedar House Graduate
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
Dear Friends,
What a banner year for us here at Cedar House! We strengthened community partnerships, added leadership positions, and created specialized programs to benefit those we serve. The impact has been phenomenal, and we are moving forward with our vision to offer a full continuum of care to meet the growing need for our services.
I am so proud to share a glimpse of our talented Board of Directors and Executive Team at Cedar House Life Change Center, along with some of our clients, as they share from the heart in this, our first Annual Report. In our business, it really does come down to the heart. Nearly every employee has their own “why”; I know I have mine. And, as painful as it is to recall, we must bring that to our roles and use it for the betterment of those we serve.
This is what makes Cedar House what it is—an environment where our core values of Excellence, Passion, Integrity, and Compassion reign supreme, and we are authentic about it.
Cedar House graduates are empowered with their “tool kit” and a supportive network, but they need so much more to sustain long-term recovery. That is why we have a bold vision to expand our services and add to what comes after they successfully complete treatment. Please be sure to read about that later in the report. We are “Growing to Great Heights!” Lives depend on it—not just for our clients but also for their families and community.
You’re invited to join us as we grow. Please reach out to let us know how you would like to get involved at Cedar House Life Change Center, and we will make sure you are included in our tremendous growth. Thank you for your continued support of our mission.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lamb, CEO
Jamie Lamb Chief Executive Officer
who we ARE
For over half a century, Cedar House has been implementing the proven principles of drug and alcohol addiction recovery to create treatment programs that work. The secret to our success? Empathy. We’ve been there. We get it. And now we’re paying it forward with compassionate care at every level.
OUR MISSION & VISION
Cedar House provides evidence-based treatment to empower those affected by addiction to find wholeness in recovery.
We envision a full continuum of care and outreach activities to achieve healing for individuals, families and communities.
OUR VALUES
Our staff is dedicated to treating every client with dignity and respect. They exemplify our core values of excellence, passion, integrity and compassion.
The futures of those we serve depend on the effectiveness of our treatment programs. That’s why we offer a safe, confidential, therapeutic environment that promotes quality care by enhancing intrinsic motivation and assisting individuals through the stages of change. Our programs are constantly evolving as we add the latest curriculum, develop innovative ways to continuously improve our services, and hire credentialed, highly qualified staff. We are changing lives and healing families.
OUR HISTORY
2020
Cedar House and Maple House earned CARF Accreditation for their withdrawal management, residential and outpatient services, and, for the first time, opened admissions to private health insurance consumers.
2023
In partnership with Riverside County University Health System Behavioral Health, Cedar House began operations at the Arlington Recovery Community in Riverside with a sobering center for up to 15 and a 54 bed residential unit.
2017
Cedar House began serving clients with Medi-Cal which enabled significant enhancement in services.
2008
Cedar House purchased 4.4 acres across the street from the main facility with hopes to expand services. The residence onsite is currently used as Sanctuary House Sober Living for men.
2005
1990
The organization moved into its current facility and became Cedar House Life Change Center providing 125 beds for residential addiction treatment.
Cedar House purchased a home and created the Maple House Women with Children program to address the special needs of pregnant women and those with young children.
1973
Amigo House was founded for men struggling with alcoholism, and the first board of trustees was formed.
1984
Programming expanded to be a full-service treatment center serving men and women suffering with substance use disorders, thus becoming Social Science Services, Inc.
who we SERVE
OUR PROGRAMS
Cedar House received its second consecutive 3-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Rehabilitation Facilties (CARF) in 2023. We offer effective treatment, promoting safety, trust, transparency, and empowerment through trauma-informed care and proven principles.
We provide comprehensive Withdrawal Management services to stabilize our clients’ physical condition, including medically-appropriate step-down medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms.
Our Residential Treatment program combines evidence-based therapies and, as needed, medication-assisted treatment to normalize brain chemistry and sustain long-term recovery.
Cedar House at Arlington in Riverside offers a Sobering Center and short-term stabilization treatment serving as a foundation for individuals seeking long-term rehabilitation for substance use, many of whom are experiencing simultaneously occurring mental illness.
Maple House Women with Children offers residential treatment focused on helping women improve their lives and acquire parenting skills while our staff assists them with caring for their children as they grow in a safe environment.
Sanctuary House Sober Living , located across the street from our main facility, is a supportive home for men who have completed treatment programs, offering a drug-free environment and easy access to our services.
Our Outpatient Treatment and Recovery Services Program allow individuals to maintain employment and family life while receiving ongoing support and community for sustained recovery.
OUR COMMUNITY
Medi-Cal vs. Private Insurance Consumers
Age & Population of Consumers
3,277 individuals entered treatment Ethnicities at Cedar House
Common Substance Use Disorders treated at Cedar House
“Great place to go and get rehabilitated if you need help. I went there, and they help me get through my addiction.”
— Ernesto
“I was there and had a Child Protective Services Case. They helped me, and now I’m reunited with my son and sober.”
— Vanessa
“Since I first came to Cedar House, I have used the tools they gave me and have maintained sobriety. The staff is amazing, and they care deeply about their clients.”
— Jimmy
MEET SHERI
Cedar House opened my eyes to see that it’s okay to need help; it’s okay to be bi-polar; and it’s okay to grow through things.
Sheri was brought into the world in a hotel room to two addict parents. Her mother shot her up with heroin to quiet her as an infant which resulted in a lifetime of physical and mental disorders to overcome. But Sheri was strong. She was blessed to be adopted by loving parents at the age of five. They were LA County police officers and cared for her deeply the best way they knew how.
Sheri always had a strong urge to use drugs and alcohol. She wanted to experiment and explore as a teenager. She said, “I was just wild!” At the age of 16, she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder but didn’t begin treatment until she was 22. She married her first husband when she was 18 and he was 35. During their first few years of marriage, she suffered through four miscarriages and her husband’s abuse. She said, “I just felt so alone. I wanted to try and get sober.” Sheri ended up getting arrested during this wild streak as she battled her addiction, fear, loneliness, and the shame she felt from years of sexual abuse.
Upon her release, Sheri went directly to Cedar House for three months. She recalled that she related to her case manager Salena’s personal story and knew that she would learn from her. She said, “Someone was finally going to help me get my mental health right.” During her time in treatment, the Cedar House staff also counseled Sheri’s parents to understand how to support her through the challenges she was going through.
Since 2012, Sheri has worked the program, got a sponsor, got re-married and had a son. She found employment with Amazon as a packer where she worked her way up to the human resources department. She loves to give back and proudly donates clothes to Cedar House and Maple House on a regular basis. Cedar House laid the foundation for Sheri’s life in recovery. She said, “If I wasn’t sober, I wouldn’t be alive. I’m so grateful for my family and Cedar House. I just want to give back.”
MEET ERICA
When I look back at 2020, it wasn’t a bad year. It was life changing for me.
With no real support structure or authority figure in her life, Erica dropped out of school in 8th grade. A few years later, when her mother was $49 short on rent, they were evicted from their apartment and became homeless. At the age of 18, Erica moved from place to place with her mother seeking shelter anywhere they could find it. “The environment was bad. I tried to adapt to it, trying to fit in.” That’s when her addiction to meth began. She said, “That drug destroyed my life.”
Erica tried numerous times to get clean. She entered different rehab programs but always returned to the same people and the same bad habits. When she gave birth to her first baby, and the baby tested positive for meth, she managed to stay clean for a few weeks. But it didn’t last. After having another baby born positive for meth, she knew she had to make a change. She knew that one more dirty drug test would mean she would lose her girls permanently. After 25 days of staying clean in outpatient, she was able to enter the Cedar House residential program on February 28, 2020.
“I went in knowing I had to survive 90 days. I did it with my head held high.” Erica maintained a positive attitude during treatment. She knew this time needed to be different. She learned that “30 days can change a habit, but 90 days can change your life.”
Six months later, Erica was reunited with her baby girls. Now, she moved into transitional housing and bought her own car.
I’m a whole person now. Cedar House taught me to move forward and accept the consequences.
Erica has been clean since 2020. Yes, that means she got clean during the pandemic. What a remarkable challenge! It’s one that Cedar House helped hundreds of people take on and conquer during that difficult time.
“I think it’s a blessing that Cedar House never closed because there are a million people out there in need.”
growing to GREAT HEIGHTS
In 2024, 3,277 individuals entered treatment RECEIVED TREATMENT IN 20,000+ 52yrs
Quality of Life Increase since entering program (based on BARC-10)* 82%
Percent of those who would recommend our program to others 96%
Overall Satisfaction 97%
*Read more about BARC-10 at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.03.022
DEVELOPED NEW PROGRAMS
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Overdose Prevention Training
ADDED NEW LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Nurse Practitioner Compliance Officer
CREATED NEW SUPPORT GROUPS
MAT Support Group
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
Job Readiness Program
NET RAISED AT FUNDRAISING EVENTS
$115,800
A VISION OF THE FUTURE
Plans to expand Cedar House’s continuum of care are underway, driving the need to leverage funding opportunities to support capital expenses. We have plans to add a two-story, 32,000 square foot building on our main campus in Bloomington which will enable us to add 70 beds for residential treatment, as well as multi-purpose rooms, office space, and family visitation rooms. The additional space will enable us to hire staff and add services for our current programs, including Care Coordination and specialty support groups for those with specific medical or mental health needs. This new construction will also free up space in our current facility to increase our capacity for outpatient treatment and recovery services.
The next phase of our expansion will involve developing the 4.4acre lot that we own across the street from the main facility. On this property, Cedar House intends to build much-needed transitional housing in various sizes to accommodate a range of needs. We also plan to develop a Community Wellness Center on that property for those who complete treatment and need additional resources and support to rebuild their lives. By prioritizing their safe recovery from chemical dependence, our clients can pursue new opportunities in education and employment. Access to those opportunities will mean more successful outcomes that advance overall wellness.
Our services, accessible in more than 120 cities across 2 have helped over 20,000 individuals change their lives and wholeness in recovery since 1973.
With the help of our 140+ staff members, hundreds of supporters, and amazing volunteers , we have provided ongoing support, ensuring that our clients are standing strong in their newfound recovery for years to come. We are impacting individuals, families, and transforming our community.
counties , and find supporters, support, newfound individuals, healing
our board of DIRECTORS
We asked our Board of Directors why they serve as representatives of Cedar House Life Change Center. Each one of them brings something special to the table and each one has a unique reason why they support the life-changing work Cedar House is doing.
Michael St. Onge - Board Member
UPS,
Director of Corporate Sales
To serve is to give others the courage to rewrite their story. Every act of compassion plants seeds of transformation. Recovery is a journey, and I hope my presence serves as a reminder that no one has to walk it alone.
Maurice Passley - Board Treasurer
Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach, Vice President Business Banking Relationship Manager
I believe in the transformative power of recovery and second chances. Every person who regains their life from addiction strengthens the foundation of our society. Supporting this mission is about more than numbers; it’s about creating pathways to hope, healing, and a healthier future for all.
Wayne Guzman - Board President IEHP, Director of Sales & Outreach
Serving as a Board Member enables me to use my God given talents to work with likeminded community members who seek to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who come through our doors ready and open to making a life change by overcoming their addiction.
Don McCue - Board Member
Reverse Mortgages Plus, Owner
Changing one life at a time. That’s our mission; that’s our purpose.
Zachary Tucker - Board Member
Jack H. Brown College of Business & Public Administration, Senior Director of Philanthropy
I am deeply committed to supporting community well-being through my service on this board. My desire to advocate for innovative programs that transform lives aligns well with Cedar House’s mission to provide hope, healing, and recovery for those affected by addiction.
Joyce Ablett - Board Vice President Kaiser Permanente, Area Financial Officer
My goal is to serve in the community in the best way I can, and improve health outcomes in our niehgborhoods. In all my years of service, Cedar House has exceeded in these areas.
Rhonesia Perry - Board Secretary City of Chino, Economic Development Manager
Lasting change begins with compassion and opportunity. Serving on the Cedar House Life Change Center board allows me to support second chances and be part of someone’s journey to hope and healing, transforming lives and strengthening our community.
Daniel Chagolla Chief Operations Officer
At the core of my “why” is a deep compassion for individuals struggling with addiction and a profound belief in their capacity to change. I’ve witnessed the transformative power of recovery, not just in the lives of those we treat but in the restoration of families and the healing of communities.
Jamie Lamb Chief Executive Officer
My work at Cedar House satisfies the burning in my heart to help hurting people. I am forever grateful God has allowed me the good fortune and privilege to follow, lead and inspire this great group of human beings. I am humbled by their commitment and passion for the mission that shows in all they do.
Kathleen Smith Clinical Director
Working at Cedar House provides me with deep personal fulfillment as I witness firsthand the incredible transformations and resilience of individuals as they rebuild their lives and find hope again.
Michael Rodriguez Compliance Officer
I work at Cedar House because I believe in our lifesaving mission and commitment to the highest ethical standards crucial for providing the quality of care we are known for.
Marcela Tropea Human Resources Manager
As the HR Manager, I am pleased and honored to support the Cedar House staff, which is passionately dedicated to saving lives and helping individuals who want to get their lives back on track for themselves and their loved ones.
our executive TEAM
Lowell Lagare Controller
I am committed to this organization because it provides a meaningful platform to contribute to lasting, positive changes in the lives of individuals and families affected by substance use. Being part of a team supporting healing, recovery, and renewed hope is an honor and a calling.
Melissa Hughes Director of Marketing & Development
The compassionate community of Cedar House leaders, staff, clients and alumni inspires me every day to continue developing our capacity to impact the Inland Empire. I’m honored to be part of the solution for our neighbors in need.
Yvonne
Carrillo Program Director
I work at Cedar House because I believe in the transformative power of compassion and support to help individuals and their familes reclaim their lives from substance use.
DONATE
Make a personal donation online at cedarhouse.org/giving. Ask your employer about matching your donation.
VOLUNTEER
Helping hands are always appreciated at our events.
LEAVE AN IMPACT
By remembering Cedar House Life Change Center in your will or other types of estate plans, you leave an impact that will support our mission of changing lives, healing families, and transforming entire communities for years to come.
For more information on how you can partner with us, contact Melissa Hughes, Director of Marketing & Development, at (909) 835-0752 or mhughes@cedarhouse.org
