OneEighty Turns 50: Celebrating Milestones and Stories of Recovery
For the past 50 years, OneEighty has been a cornerstone in Wayne and Holmes counties, providing essential services to individuals facing challenges related to addiction, domestic violence, sexual assault, and mental health. As our nonprofit celebrates this milestone anniversary, we reflect on our evolution, the lives impacted, and the dedicated individuals who have played a crucial role in our success. One such person is Bobbi Douglas, OneEighty’s Executive Director, who has been instrumental in shaping our organization into the community-focused resource it is today.
Bobbi’s journey with OneEighty spans several decades, during which she has worked tirelessly to ensure that those in need receive compassionate care and support. She believes that “the 50th anniversary celebrates much of what OneEighty has been able to do in the community over the past 50 years and how we have grown and expanded to meet community needs. I think it’s also an opportunity to celebrate stories of recovery, whether from addiction or folks who are recovering from domestic violence, sexual assault, or homelessness. And that’s what I think we’re trying to celebrate. Their stories of recovery.” Her dedication and leadership have been key factors in our continued ability to help people rebuild their lives, making her an integral part of OneEighty’s legacy.
The History of OneEighty
OneEighty’s roots trace back to 1974 when founded initially as the Wayne County Council on Alcoholism Services by Doug Pomeroy, a local minister dedicated to helping those struggling with alcoholism. Pomeroy’s approach was hands-on, often visiting hospitals and jails and pulling individuals off barstools to offer support. The organization, later renamed Wayne County Alcoholism Services, began by providing outpatient counseling and men’s residential treatment through the Pathway program.
By 1999, the organization moved into the newly established Gault Liberty Center and rebranded as STEPS at Liberty Center (Substance Abuse Treatment, Education, and Prevention Services). This marked a significant expansion in the services offered, reflecting a broader commitment to substance abuse treatment and prevention within the community.
Around the same time, Every Woman’s House (EWH) was born from a grassroots movement in the 1970s. A group of local women, including Linda Houston, Bette Matheny, and Julia Halloran, became increasingly concerned about the issue of domestic violence. They organized a network of safe homes and worked with the Wooster Police Department to provide refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Julia Fishelson, moved by their efforts, donated her childhood home to serve as the first shelter for domestic violence victims until a newly built shelter was completed in 1999.
In the late 1990s, Wayne County Alcoholism Services and Every Woman’s House joined forces to raise funds for a new shelter and to renovate the former Reed Warehouses. This collaboration resulted in both organizations moving to the Gault Liberty Center in 1999, solidifying a partnership that would lead to greater services for the community.
Under Bobbi’s leadership, the two organizations further integrated their operations. By 2006, they officially merged, combining their back-office operations under Liberty Center Connections while retaining their separate names—STEPS and Every Woman’s House—for public recognition. It wasn’t until 2016 that they rebranded as OneEighty, Inc., a name that reflects their mission to “Help People Change Directions,” signaling a new era of growth and impact.
OneEighty’s Continued Growth
Bobbi’s journey with OneEighty began in 1982 when she took on the role of Prevention Coordinator. In 1985, Bobbi then became Executive Director. During that time, she played a pivotal role in shaping OneEighty into the multifaceted agency it is today.
Bobbi’s leadership philosophy blends lessons from the nonprofit and business sectors, allowing her to grow OneEighty with a strategic yet compassionate mindset. “I think we pride ourselves on being early adopters and entrepreneurs. And we try to learn from a lot of other types of organizations, not just other nonprofits. We’re trying to learn the entrepreneurial piece. I try to watch people in the community who are entrepreneurs and decide what we can take from them that we could use to further build our organization.”
Under her leadership, OneEighty has grown from a small organization with a $200,000 budget into a thriving agency that offers a wide range of services, from addiction recovery to support of victims of domestic violence/sexual assault and housing assistance. Bobbi was instrumental in launching key programs such as the intensive outpatient program (IOP) and setting aside beds for children in the Women’s Residential Treatment Facility, both of which have had a lasting impact on the community.
The introduction of the intensive outpatient program, in particular, showcased Bobbi’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As insurance companies began moving away from 28-day inpatient treatment models, she recognized the need for an alternative that provided comprehensive care. She remembered, “We developed the intensive outpatient program, a three-day-a-week program where people came in for 3 hours at a time. The whole idea that people could continue to work and be with their families – it offered a nice alternative for some people, but it certainly offered more than what we were providing with either outpatient or men’s residential treatment. So that was helpful.” Bobbi explains, “We wrote a grant for women’s residential treatment program and I remember the day were awarded the grant. I still remember that as one of the best days of my career because I was just so excited.”
Her ability to identify needs and implement programs to address them has positioned OneEighty as a cornerstone in the region’s health and social services. Bobbi’s entrepreneurial spirit, willingness to take risks, and commitment to continually learning have been fundamental in shaping OneEighty into the organization it is today. Thanks to her leadership, the nonprofit has grown in size and our ability to provide life-changing services to the community.
Reflections: The Impact of OneEighty
As Bobbi reflects on her time at OneEighty, she highlights the collaborative efforts that have been central to our organization’s success. “I think the reason we’ve been able to do that is we live in a community that has an incredible culture of philanthropy and volunteerism and concern about helping others. And I think the fact that we’ve lived here has allowed our organization to grow and thrive. I think we’ve also been really blessed with really incredible people who have worked here as service providers and have a really strong passion and commitment to our mission.”
OneEighty’s Board of Directors is a group of dedicated volunteers who provide strategic guidance and support to our nonprofit. The board members bring diverse expertise and perspectives, ensuring that OneEighty remains financially sound and responsive to the community’s needs.
We chatted with several past board members and former leadership to gain their insights into OneEighty’s impact and their experiences serving on the board. Here are some of their key takeaways:
Tammy Brooks
Tammy Brooks played a crucial role in shaping domestic violence services in Wayne and Holmes Counties during her tenure as Executive Director of Every Woman’s House from 1983 to 1994. Her leadership came at a pivotal time for the domestic violence movement, marked by significant legal and social advancements.
Under Tammy’s direction, Every Woman’s House was at the forefront of a transformative era in domestic violence advocacy. “Serving as the Director at this time was exciting as it came at the precipice of the domestic violence movement. I was able to become part of a movement that began to formalize legal and social positions that violence against a family member was not going to be tolerated,” Tammy reflects.
Tammy’s contributions underscore the ongoing importance of OneEighty in addressing the persistent issues of drug addiction and domestic violence. “With the drug epidemic and domestic violence still being present across all neighborhoods, we are reminded every day of the importance of having OneEighty within our community,” she concludes.
Linda Houston
Linda Houston has been a cornerstone of OneEighty’s journey since its inception. Her involvement traces back to the early days of Every Woman’s House, where she was a founding board member. “I go back 50 years to Every Woman’s House. Ed Abramson was chair, and I was on the first board,” Linda recalls. She and her husband Dan also opened their home to victims of domestic violence in the early days of Every Woman’s House.
Linda’s contributions have been driven by her commitment to supporting women and needy individuals. She has generously donated both time and resources to advance causes related to domestic violence, addiction recovery, and housing. “I believe my main contribution with time and money is because I believe in issues to protect women and individuals in need of alcohol and drug rehab and those men and women in need of housing,” Linda explains.
Linda continues to support OneEighty with her donations, reflecting on the organization’s profound impact. “Sometimes tears come to my eyes to think of all OneEighty does and continues to do for individuals certainly less fortunate than I am,” she shares. Linda’s personal experiences highlight her lifelong dedication to OneEighty’s mission.
Vicky Hartzler
Vicky Hartzler has been a dedicated supporter of OneEighty since the 1980s, when she served as a board member during the early days of Wayne County Alcoholism Services. Her involvement spans various roles over the years, including her work with the Counseling Center, the Mental Health and Recovery Board, and the Juvenile Court’s drug court. Vicky takes pride in having been on the board when Bobbi Douglas was hired, recognizing Bobbi’s vision and leadership as essential to the agency’s continuing growth.
Vicky is particularly impressed by OneEighty’s non-judgmental approach and ability to evolve with new services, thanks to Bobbi’s leadership. “It’s a great agency, run by an incredibly talented and dedicated director. We’re so lucky to have Bobbi at the helm,” Vicky reflects.
Looking Ahead: The Future of OneEighty
As OneEighty celebrates our remarkable 50-year milestone, our organization is already setting our sights on the future. Bobbi is optimistic about our continued evolution. Her vision for the future emphasizes ongoing growth and adaptability to meet the community’s ever-changing needs.
Bobbi’s leadership philosophy is centered around continuous improvement and learning. This approach has been key to OneEighty’s ability to adapt and expand our services over the decades. As OneEighty moves forward, Bobbi is committed to ensuring that our organization remains flexible and responsive to new challenges.
Looking ahead, OneEighty aims to build on our strong foundation by exploring new opportunities and expanding our impact. “We work really hard to create places that are hopeful for people and that give them dignity,” Bobbi shares. This community-focused mindset is crucial as OneEighty continues to provide essential services to Wooster and the surrounding communities in Holmes County.
With Bobbi’s legacy of leadership guiding the way, our organization is well-positioned to embrace future challenges and continue important work for generations to come.
OneEighty Resources
For those encountering a substance use crisis, please call OneEighty’s Substance Use Crisis hotline, available 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, at 330-466-0678. For other resources, click the links below:
Community Relations & Prevention
Substance Use Treatment Navigator Hotline
Intimate Partner & Domestic Violence booklet (Wayne County)Self-Help Legal Manual
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