Saving Lives Since 1975; Women's Recovery Services, presented by Caryn Shapiro Stone
Our speaker for September 10, 2026 was Caryn Shapiro Stone, the Development Director for Women’s Recovery Services. Caryn has 20 years of experience in non-profit work, a master’s degree in international relations from Golden Gate University, and is a graduate of UCSB. Caryn is also a certified life coach.
Women's Recovery Services (WRS), founded in 1975, is a Sonoma County nonprofit supporting women with substance use disorders and their children. WRS eliminates the barrier of childcare by allowing women to bring their children on-site or receive services while pregnant. The organization serves some of the most vulnerable members of the community: 64% of women entering the program are homeless, many face active court cases, and the vast majority have experienced significant trauma. WRS is a trauma-informed care facility with all staff trained to meet clients without judgment and with full recognition of their lived experiences. The organization provides a Residential Treatment Program including 90 to 120 days of substance dependency and mental health treatment at the main Santa Rosa campus accommodating approximately 18 women and 12 children on-site. The Children's Program is available to children living with or visiting their mothers and includes on-site childcare. WRS also operates a Transitional Living Program with 3 homes in Santa Rosa (Mission House, Hope House, and Sunrise House) where graduates can reside for up to 2 years while continuing their recovery. The Aftercare Program consists of 1 year of weekly meetings providing case management, community support, and continued accountability.
SRS is also piloting a 1-to-2-week intake phase designed to address immediate practical barriers, such as transportation, medical needs, legal issues, and basic rest, before formal treatment begins. Since 2016 42% of the women who entered completed the residential treatment program; 364 completed the residential treatment program; all of the 62 women who were homeless at program entry and completed the program had stable housing upon leaving WRS; 64% of program completers are drug and alcohol free 1 year after program entry; 45% are employed; and 14% are pursuing education post-program. Since 2020, WRS has undertaken significant facility upgrades, including the addition of communal spaces, an industrial kitchen, outdoor landscaping, a patio, and fresh paint throughout. WRS believes that dignity and peacefulness of the physical environment are integral to the recovery process and help women feel at home, take pride in their surroundings, and engage more fully in treatment. Caryn mentioned that Sunrise Rotary has been a longstanding and impactful partner of WRS. Since January 2014, the club has contributed $48,938 in cash donations to WRS - not including the value of volunteer hours (led by Leroy Carlenzoli) dedicated to maintaining and beautifying WRS' transitional homes and main campus. Club members, also coordinated by Leroy, have also helped to improve the physical environments of Mission House, Hope House, and Sunrise House.
Thank you to Caryn for the thorough presentation of WRS’ effectiveness and value to the community. WRS has been one of leading Sunrise Rotary’s most important and successful service and donations projects for many years and we remain committed to continuing our partnership with WRS in the future.
