In rural northeast Wisconsin, communities like Gresham face a crisis that too often goes unseen: rising rates of substance use disorders and mental health challenges, combined with a stark lack of accessible, culturally appropriate treatment options. Shawano and Menominee Counties—where Gresham is located—have some of the highest per capita overdose rates in the state. Yet individuals in crisis are left with few local resources, frequently forced to travel hours for care, delay treatment, or go without entirely. CORE Treatment Services is stepping in to change that reality.

CORE is launching the Gresham Residential Treatment Center, a trauma-informed, culturally responsive facility designed to bring healing to one of Wisconsin’s most underserved regions. This center will provide 24/7 clinically managed care for individuals facing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, while also addressing the broader community need for stable, compassionate recovery services close to home. This project is not just about filling service gaps—it’s about building a foundation for long-term community wellness.

The center will be intentionally rooted in both evidence-based practices and traditional Native American healing methodologies, making it a rare and necessary model for culturally grounded care. Services will include individual and group therapy, peer support, life skills training, and recovery-focused case management. At the same time, individuals will have the opportunity to participate in culturally significant healing practices such as talking circles, smudging, ceremonial gatherings, and connection to tribal elders—offered in partnership with local Native leaders and knowledge keepers.

This blended model reflects CORE’s organizational philosophy: that true healing must honor the mind, body, and spirit. We understand that healing is not a one-size-fits-all process, and that meaningful recovery must be culturally relevant, community-driven, and sustained by systems of support. In a region where tribal communities and rural families face generational trauma and historical disinvestment, the Gresham facility will be a place of dignity, empowerment, and renewal.

The need for this center is underscored by systemic disparities in care. Indigenous people are disproportionately impacted by substance use, trauma, and mental health disorders, yet consistently face barriers to accessing culturally competent care. The lack of nearby residential treatment forces individuals to seek services far from their families and communities—if they seek them at all. This distance can be a deterrent to recovery and a disruption to the community’s overall health and cohesion. The Gresham facility will help reverse this pattern by offering high-quality care where it’s needed most.

The property for the Gresham center has already been acquired, and CORE has begun the process of preparing the facility for its projected June 2025 launch. Investments will support facility renovations, staffing, culturally appropriate furnishings, HIPAA-compliant technology, and program development. Once operational, the center will serve as a critical part of a regional care network that spans from Gresham through Green Bay, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and rural central Wisconsin—creating a continuum of care across a deeply underserved landscape.

CORE has a proven track record of delivering effective, sustainable behavioral health services in rural Wisconsin. Since our founding in 2019, we have opened two residential treatment facilities in Manitowoc, established outpatient clinics in Waupaca and Shawano, and developed multiple peer-supported recovery homes, including tribal-focused residences. In 2023, CORE was awarded a $3 million HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) grant, a reflection of our reputation for clinical excellence, cultural humility, and operational integrity.

The Gresham Residential Treatment Center will not only improve individual recovery outcomes—it will reduce the strain on emergency departments, jails, and social services; lower rates of overdose and homelessness; and promote healthier families and communities. Most importantly, it will give people a place to begin again. When people can access recovery in a setting that reflects their values, culture, and identity, they are more likely to stay engaged, find stability, and become contributors to the strength and resilience of their communities.

This project is deeply aligned with CORE’s mission to build healthy and resilient communities through collaborative, person-centered care. But we cannot do it alone. We are seeking funding partnerships to ensure that this vision becomes a reality for the residents of Gresham and beyond. Every contribution helps build a space of hope, healing, and lasting impact for those who have long been left without a voice or a path to recovery.

By supporting the Gresham Residential Treatment Center, you are helping us change the narrative for rural and Indigenous communities. You are investing in a future where access to care is not determined by geography, where healing is inclusive and holistic, and where every person has the chance to reclaim their story with dignity and strength. Join us in creating a legacy of care that honors the past, meets the needs of the present, and builds toward a healthier, more connected future.