Gary Powers, President and Chief Executive Officer, Gateway Community Services
Mission
To provide a full continuum of care that delivers effective treatment and habilitation services to aid in the recovery of individuals suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse and related mental health problems.
Serving Jacksonville
Gateway Community Services was founded in 1978. The adolescent program at TPC Village began in 1991 and Gateway Connect, phone and Internet-based therapy, received funding in 2006.
Those served
Gateway Community Services is the largest comprehensive provider of substance abuse services for adults and adolescents in Northeast Florida. Gateway provides services to people seeking recovery from alcohol and drug addiction.
Gateway reaches out to special populations, including pregnant and postpartum women, women with children, those who are HIV positive or at high risk of infection, homeless persons and people with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Biggest challenge
Research shows that only 10 to 20 percent of the population that needs services actually receives service. The problem is how to reach more people faster and more efficiently. If we don’t reach them, how many will die because of our inability?
Biggest satisfaction
My biggest satisfaction comes in the opportunity to help people and in giving back to the community.
Hometown
West Winfield, N.Y.
Your first experience with community service
I enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school.
Your job before Gateway Community Services
Lieutenant colonel in the Army serving as Assistant Chief Nurse to the 345th Combat Support Hospital here in Jacksonville.
Upcoming events
Gateway Community Services is developing its 2011 spring conference, “Innovations in Treatment,” April 6-8 at the Omni.
Contact information
www.gatewaycommunity.com
www.gatewayconnect.org
facebook.com/gatewaycommunity
twitter@Gateway_CS
387-4661