Recent News
Social Model Recovery Systems has earned a Three-Year CARF Accreditation! This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows Social Model’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has demonstrated to a team of surveyors, during an on-site visit, its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality.
Thank you all for your hard work during the survey process and for your commitment to the residents and participants receiving services here.
“Today is a very special day for Social Model Recovery Systems, Inc. In July 1986, the agency took possession of River Community, a property in the San Gabriel Mountains. Our first resident was admitted to our treatment program on this beautiful property on January 30, 1987.” Chris Abernathy, Senior Director of Treatment Services
River Community (a program of Social Model Recovery Systems, Inc.) has been a pioneer in the treatment of co-occurring disorders since 1986, addressing both mental health and substance use issues simultaneously. Co-occurring disorders present unique challenges that we believe can be met successfully.
River Community is in a beautiful mountain setting alongside the San Gabriel River in the Angeles National Forest. We provide a highly structured and empathetic environment that embodies the power of community living as well as personal responsibility. In our 35 years of service, River Community continues to innovate and improve services for our community.
Now, for 35 years, we have been providing services to adults living with Co-Occurring Disorders! The property has a rich history to those in need. In October 2014, President Barrack Obama used his authority under the Antiquities Act to establish 346,177 acres of national forest land in the San Gabriel Mountains in southern California (which River Community is located) as a national monument, permanently protecting the popular outdoor recreation destination to increase access and outdoor opportunities for the area's residents.
We congratulate Program Director, Sarah Tostado, and her team for a bright future of recovery to those in need.
The holidays are a classic time for families and friends to come together to celebrate, create memories, and relax after a long year. The smell of fresh pine, the warmth of stoked fires, the holiday cheer, and the festive music played in nearly every businesses and establishments.
The pandemic made it challenging for our residents in treatment to be with the family as the COVID-19 cases continues to rise. The Los Angeles County Health Department and CDC cautions that holiday gatherings and travel carry a high risk for getting or spreading COVID-19.
Despite the circumstances, we, at River Community, still manage to make it extra special for each of our residents by arranging a video chat with their loved ones on Christmas day. We even decorated an area to serve as the zoom background for the said virtual event. The residents and staff enjoyed the festive decoration and had their photo taken afterwards.
The participants at River Community were able to enjoy a painting group instructed by our very own Medications Support Counselor, Oriana Gregory.
Oriana is not only an amazing team member, she is an artist. She volunteered to lead the residents in painting a colorful nighttime landscape inspired by our own beautiful mountain surroundings.
Those who didn’t choose to paint the bear were able to create their art however they wanted. The event was so popular that another event is already being planned.
Let’s celebrate generosity and gratitude this holiday season.
Every year, we provide toys and gifts for our program participants to give their children for the holidays.
We rely on the generosity of many partners, community members, and staff to collect these gifts.
This year, in the giving spirit of the holidays, employees of March Products in Jurupa Valley collected toys for the Social Model Recovery Systems’ Holidays Gift drive. We would like to thank everyone at March Products for making this holiday season special for all our participants and their children.
Brandon James has been working with our agency, specifically at the Royal Palms and Rena B, in various capacities for 13 years.
After high school and prior to working in recovery, Brandon worked in the motion picture industry as a successful craftsman. As a craftsman, he applied his natural eye for photography, film, and set design to his work while developing new skills on the job.
His meth addiction derailed his advancement in the film business, however, Brandon's personal recovery led him to a new career working in recovery in 2008. Once Brandon started working in recovery, he discovered that he needed to further his education and that he was a far better student as an adult than he was in the spring of his life.
Brandon began by studying for and earning his CADC II certification with California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP), which he maintains to this day. Recently, after years of hard work and perseverance, Brandon successfully completed the requirements to earn not one but two Associate degrees. He graduated in August 2021 with Associate of Arts degrees in Applied Photography and Arts and Humanities from Los Angeles City College.
As Brandon says, "This is just the beginning."
Best gift you can give a loved one this holiday season is the help they need to get better.
Get help in just a click or call away.
***Call 877-50-SOCIAL or 877-507-6242 for confidential support & treatment options if you or someone you know needs help.