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80% of TROSA graduates have not relapsed within a year of completing TROSA.
100% of TROSA graduates will not have new criminal convictions within a year after completing TROSA.
TROSA provided services to an individual at an average of $64 per day.
WhatTROSA (Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, Inc.) is an innovative, multi-year residential program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals by providing comprehensive treatment, work-based vocational training, education, and continuing care. Founded in 1994, TROSA is now the largest residential therapeutic community in North Carolina and is widely respected for its innovative therapeutic and entrepreneurial approach to the pervasive issue of substance abuse. TROSA is licensed as a therapeutic community under NCAC 27G.4300. TROSA currently serves more than 400 men and women.
The TROSA program fosters effective solutions to an array of social and economic problems including the interrelated problems of homelessness, drug addiction, mental illness, and crime. TROSA realizes that it is necessary to deal with these issues collectively rather than individually. TROSA serves a diverse population that otherwise might not have any hope. Most have struggled with addiction to drugs or alcohol for over ten years. Close to 70% have a criminal record and about one-third come to TROSA as an alternative to immediate incarceration. About 35% identify themselves as homeless when they arrive. Some have serious health problems. Some do not read and write, and nearly half left high school without graduating. TROSA welcomes people from all walks of life as long as they display a genuine desire to change their lives for the better. These individuals enter TROSA’s program voluntarily.
The TROSA formula works. Hundreds of people have graduated from the program. 100% of these graduates leave TROSA with full-time employment and the tools they need to live a life of long-term recovery.
Vocational Training Services
Perhaps the most meaningful feature of the TROSA program involves its businesses/vocational training programs where residents receive real world on-the-job training and develop the professional skills, work ethic, and sense of responsibility that will help them survive after TROSA. TROSA residents are generally responsible for all phases of the business programs including job planning, estimates, work scheduling, crew supervision, and resource allocation.
Revenue from TROSA’s vocational programs amount to more than half of the organization’s budget each year, producing a level of self-sufficiency for TROSA that is almost unheard of in the nonprofit sector. These are a few examples of TROSA’s vocational programs:
TROSA Moving & Storage
Interstate & Local Moves
Climate Control Storage
Voted #1 Movers!
2006, 2007, 2008 Herald Sun Reader’s Choice Awards
TROSA Lawn Care
Professional Lawn Maintenance
Residential & Commercial Properties
Spring & Fall Clean-Ups
Voted #1 Lawn Care Company in the Triangle
in a recent consumer survey!
TROSA Furniture & Frame Shop
Quality Used Furniture
Custom Picture Framing
313 Foster Street, Durham
Located across from Downtown YMCA
Educational Services
At TROSA, education plays a key role in helping residents to recover and to re-enter the workforce. Obtaining a diploma or a higher education degree boosts self-esteem and creates new opportunities for life and work after graduation.
GED and College Education
One in four people who enter TROSA have neither a high school diploma nor a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Of those who have completed high school or some equivalent, only a handful have pursued higher education. All TROSA residents who lack a high school diploma or GED are required to attend adult literacy or GED classes. Volunteers and local educational organizations help TROSA to provide the best possible curriculum for our residents as they earn their diplomas.
Residents who are eligible and who have obtained the necessary diploma may take a class at local colleges and universities. Tuition and fees are paid by TROSA as part of the recovery program. Some of the program’s graduates have become TROSA Scholars and have enrolled in college programs including accounting, business, substance abuse, and paralegal studies at schools such as Durham Technical College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina, and Wake Technical Community College.
Computer Classes
TROSA also provides computer skills classes for its residents. In addition, TROSA has a computer lab with 17 computers that are available for general use. In the future they hope to offer more advanced computer classes and to incorporate interactive computer training and teaching aids into the Adult Literacy and GED programs.
Examples of computer classes that have been offered in the past include:
Scholars Program
Once a resident has completed the 24 month program, TROSA provides the opportunity for a few individuals to become TROSA Scholars. Scholars continue their education at various community colleges and universities while working at TROSA. TROSA provides scholarships to cover all costs for their education. This part of the education program allows individuals to continue their path of success on their way to obtaining degrees and getting better jobs.
Therapeutic Services
TROSA’s two-year program provides a comprehensive foundation for recovery for those struggling with chronic addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Mental Health Services
- TROSA’s therapeutic program includes 24-hour counseling services including group therapy sessions, individual counseling and specialized therapy groups.
- TROSA partners with Duke Psychiatry to provide cognitive behavioral therapy.
- TROSA also provides services for a limited number of those with co-occurring diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse disorder.
Transition Services
- Residents receive medical care through a combination of services coordinated through our on-site health clinic. (The clinic manages 80-100 internal and external appointments each week.)
- TROSA provides training in personal finance management, resume writing, job seeking skills and other topics relevant to successfully transitioning out of the two-year program.
- Graduates of TROSA’s two-year program who remain drug-free are eligible to receive the benefit of low-cost, sober housing, transportation, meals and social events with peers, continued career counseling and bi-monthly support groups to sustain their recovery and successfully re-enter mainstream society.
- Currently, there are approximately 200 TROSA graduates that stay actively involved with TROSA’s aftercare program, with low-rent, transitional housing available for up to 100 graduates.
Residential Services
With training and supervision by TROSA staff, program participants restore and rehabilitate dilapidated housing in Durham neighborhoods. These properties are then used to house TROSA residents and graduates.
TROSA owns and manages over 30 properties for residents enrolled in the two-year program, including a 10,000 square foot school, providing housing for over 300 residents. TROSA currently provides subsidized transitional housing for 100 graduates of our program.
TROSA provides residents with well-balanced meals - serving over 1,800 meals per day. We also provide all clothing and personal hygiene products for all residents.
Kevin R. McDonald
Founder, President and CEO
Kevin McDonald is the President of Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers, (TROSA), a nationally recognized non-profit, two-year, residential recovery program located in Durham, NC. Kevin came to Durham in 1994 to establish TROSA and has shaped TROSA into a unique 501(c)(3) entrepreneurial organization dedicated to helping substance abusers change their lives.
Under Kevin’s leadership, TROSA has become an outstanding example of social entrepreneurship. With the goal of becoming self-supporting, Kevin created a variety of business enterprises that serve a dual function of educational venues as well as revenue generators. He has close to 30 years of direct experience serving individuals with substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Under Kevin’s leadership, TROSA has become an outstanding example of social entrepreneurship. With the goal of becoming self-supporting, Kevin created a variety of business enterprises that serve a dual function of educational venues as well as revenue generators. The vocational training businesses include moving, lawn care, Christmas tree sales, and picture framing.
In 2009, Kevin McDonald was honored as a Purpose Prize Fellow and with the 2009 Social Enterprise Innovation Award given by the Social Enterprise Alliance. He also represented North Carolina as its delegate to the 2009 Recovery Project held in New York City celebrating individuals in long-term recovery. In 2001 he was one of 17 winners selected from 3,000 nominees for the Ford Foundation’s Leadership of a Changing World. Locally, Kevin has been recognized as the Keeper of the Dream Award by the City of Durham, and with the Service to Mankind Award by the Sertoma Club.
Jesse Battle
Director of Men’s Program
Jesse provides leadership to the men of TROSA in building their ability to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle while improving their education and job skills. He joined the TROSA staff soon after graduating from the TROSA program in 1997. Serving the TROSA community, Jesse has been department head of several departments, including: Medical, Intake, Front Office, Special Events, Aftercare and Education. As Network Administrator, he led TROSA’s technological growth from one server with ten workstations to a five-server 300-work station environment. With the assistance of a Glaxo Wellcome scholarship Jesse earned a degree in network administration from Durham Technical Community College and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. He serves on the board of Troy House Community Corrections Center, NC Alcohol and Drug Council, Durham Teen Court, Durham Drug Court. Jesse is a North Carolina Addictions Fellow and a Certified Substance Abuse Residential Facility Director.
Sandra Alger
Director of Women’s Programs
Sandra provides leadership for the women who come to TROSA for help. She is a role model of recovery. Sandra enrolled in the Delancey Street Foundation in 1988 for treatment for her own substance abuse problem. After completing her therapeutic commitment, Sandra stayed on at Delancey Street for the next 12 years working with the women residents in all the areas necessary to enable them to join society’s mainstream, obtain employment and lead productive lives. She also served as the assistant to the President of the Foundation and taught remedial reading and basic clerical skills. Sandra joined the TROSA team in February 2004. Under Sandra’s leadership, the women’s program has doubled and we have implemented a wide array of gender-specific treatment. Golden Gate University and is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor.
Michelle Kucerak
Director of Development
Michelle has worked within the nonprofit field for over 15 years and brings significant experience in organizational development, training, fundraising, and community organizing to her role at TROSA. Michelle worked with the State Public Interest Research Groups for six years, most recently as a consumer advocate in NC. She also worked with Refugees International in Washington DC for 4 years, as Director of Development and Administration. She joined TROSA’s staff in 2005 and facilitates donor development work, advocacy and marketing. Michelle holds a B.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Michael Keene
Vice President of Business Operations
A graduate of the Delancey Street Foundation’s therapeutic community in Greensboro, NC, Mike managed Delancey Street Movers prior to joining TROSA in 1997. Mike is the force behind the success of TROSA Moving Company, the sixth largest moving company in the Triangle area and TROSA’s principal source of revenue. As VP of Operations, Mike now oversees many of TROSA business ventures that provide important job training, as well as much needed income. The businesses include TROSA Moving and Storage, TROSA Frame Shop, TROSA Christmas Tree lots and Holidays by TROSA. One of Mike’s greatest rewards is “seeing people get a good job when they graduate from TROSA.”
Board of Directors
Chair – Jeff Clark - Managing General Partner, The Aurora Funds
Vice-Chair - Tad vanDusen - Attorney, Williams Mullen Maupin Taylor
Secretary and Treasurer - Jon Woodall - Community Member
Keith Artin - Label Manager, Merge RecordsKeith Artin - Label Manager, Merge Records
Greg Britz - Associate Director for Operations and Finance, Center for Documentary Studies
Barker French - Retired Partner, Brinker Capital
Patrick Getzen - VP & Chief Actuary, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina
Wilbert Hamilton - Retired, IBM
Wendy Kuran - Associate Dean for Centers & Corporate Relations at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University
Kevin McDonald - President and CEO, TROSA
Amir Rezvani, Ph.D. - Associate Research Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center
Levia Rodriguez Shepherd - Service Management, HR Services, GlaxoSmithKline
Ernie Roessler - Retired CEO, National Commerce Financial Corporation
Luke Roush - Vice President of Global Marketing, TransEnterix, Inc.
Greg Rowland - CEO, Mindworks Multimedia
Lao Rubert - Senior Director for Policy & Special Projects, Carolina Justice Policy Center
Robert Shepard - VP for Alumni Affairs and Development, Duke University
Edward Skloot - Director, Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society, Duke University
Liliana Valle - Co-Founder and President, Missti Enterprises
Rich West - CEO, Liquid Logic
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