[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREDO COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE 
                        TREATMENT OF ADDICTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of the Credo Community Center for Treatment and Addictions 
and to honor their integral service to the health and wellbeing of New 
York residents.
  Started in 1973 by Reverend Raymond J. Wertman and Ms. Edith Marsala, 
a member of his church, Credo Community Services was formed to approach 
and mitigate drug use in northern New York. Credo was founded with a 
simple, singular philosophy: anyone faced with a substance abuse 
problem that wanted assistance deserved to receive it. Credo's initial 
services included peer-to-peer treatment, coupling current and 
recovering drug users with mentors for strength and stability during 
the recovery and rehabilitation process.
  In the early stages, Credo was not a breakthrough success, inhibited 
by social stigmas and adversity to treatment programs and worsened by a 
dearth of funding. Until New York State began supplying Credo with 
funding in 1978, staff hosted public fundraisers such as bake sales and 
telethons to maintain operations. In the decades since, Executive 
Directors James P. Scordo (1988-2019) and John Wilson (2019-) have 
overcome these obstacles and grown the Credo treatment network 
substantially.
  Today, Credo operates outpatient centers in Watertown and Lowville, 
residence homes for men and women in Watertown, and a renowned 
rehabilitation program in Pamelia known as The Farm, a diversion site 
for youths faced with juvenile detention to recover. Their range of 
services includes individual and group counseling, Medication-Assisted 
Treatment, life-saving Narcan kits, and connecting patients with detox 
programs and residential sites outside of their network.
  On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I am honored to 
recognize the lifechanging services that the Credo Community Center has 
provided to the people of New York State for 50 years, and I applaud 
their continued efforts to expand these critical treatment practices.

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