Samaritan Daytop Village Awarded $50K Grant from the Staten Island Foundation

Samaritan Daytop Village Awarded $50,000 Grant from the Staten Island Foundation to Support the Staten Island Outpatient Treatment Program for Substance Use Disorder

Grant Expands Access to Life-Saving Recovery Services, Staten Island Residents Experience Disproportionate Share of Overdose Deaths

 

(STATEN ISLAND, NY - June 9, 2025) - Today, nonprofit Samaritan Daytop Village announced that the Staten Island Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to support the Staten Island Outpatient Treatment Program for substance use disorder. The grant will equip the organization with the funds needed to expand services and outreach, increasing access to life-saving treatment for Staten Islanders.

Substance use disorder (SUD) remains a community-wide challenge on Staten Island, where opioid-related deaths are high. Roughly 40 per 100,000 Staten Islanders die from an overdose, according to the NYC Health Department. The rate is the second highest of any New York City borough and 170% higher than the national average. An estimated 150 Staten Island residents lost their lives to an overdose in 2023.

For over five decades, Samaritan Daytop Village’s Outpatient Treatment Program has been offering the Staten Island community holistic, individualized care designed to respond to each person’s needs. This includes individual and group therapy, family counseling, behavioral therapy, and stress management lessons. Last year, the organization opened its Integrated Opioid Treatment Program (OTP), which is co-located with the Outpatient Treatment Program. The additional services provided through OTP build out a full continuum of care, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.

“We are deeply grateful to the Staten Island Foundation for helping us expand our services in Staten Island,” said Mitchell Netburn, President & CEO of Samaritan Daytop Village. “With the borough facing one of the highest overdose death rates in the city, this grant is a lifeline for those experiencing substance use disorder. It allows us to not only extend our outreach but also create meaningful opportunities for individuals in recovery to support others who are facing the same daunting challenges.”

The $50,000 grant will fund a peer recovery internship program, create a full-time position for a peer intern, and provide essential supplies for street outreach.

Peer-driven recovery programs are proven to significantly improve long-term recovery outcomes. Peers offer a shared understanding, which helps people on their recovery journeys stay engaged in the process and reduce the likelihood of relapse, according to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

"We’re proud to offer support to Lauren Batthany and her team. They are making a difference in the lives of some of Staten Islanders in the most need of their assistance. We’re especially pleased to target our support to continue to develop the role of Peer Specialist. The field of peer-to-peer wasn’t widely known a decade ago, but it makes so much sense. Its success suggests a brighter future for our community," said Laura Jean Watters, Executive Director of The Staten Island Foundation.

“Every day, we support people who are working hard on their recovery journeys," said Lauren Batthany, Program Director, Staten Island Outpatient Treatment Program. “This grant allows us to reach more people with more resources. When it comes to recovery treatment, that means more lives saved.”

“Community partnerships play a vital role in addressing the opioid crisis, and this generous grant is a perfect example of that,” said Vincent Pitta, Esq., Board Member of Samaritan Daytop Village. “With these funds, Samaritan Daytop Village can expand access to compassionate, evidence-based treatment and ensure that people on Staten Island struggling with substance use have the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

"Samaritan Daytop Village has been doing incredible work on Staten Island, helping those experiencing addiction and trying to rebuild their lives," said Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks. "I've supported their efforts in the past, and I've seen the difference they make in our community. I'm proud to stand with them and grateful to the Staten Island Foundation for providing the support they need to expand these life-saving programs."

"Staten Island has been battling the overdose epidemic for years, and our community needs these resources now more than ever. This funding for Samaritan Daytop Village will expand access to life-saving recovery services for those in my district who need them most—strengthening outreach and making sure that my constituents who are struggling can receive the support they need. Their dedication to tackling this crisis, combined with these critical investments, will help save lives and guide people on their path to recovery," said Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton.

About Samaritan Daytop Village:

For over 60 years, Samaritan Daytop Village has been improving the quality of life for New Yorkers. The nonprofit is nationally recognized for the treatment of substance use disorder as well as for the veteran-specific approach it pioneered. Our continuum of services also includes health and mental health care, transitional and supportive housing, educational and vocational assistance, peer-assisted recovery, and specialized programs for adolescents, families, and seniors. Annually, Samaritan Daytop Village serves over 33,000 people at more than 80 programs throughout New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. For more information about Samaritan Daytop Village, visit https://samaritanvillage.org/.

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