Gateway to Prevention and Recovery continues to provide substance abuse services in Shawnee. What started as a group of local, concerned citizens, watching two Chemical People television specials, has grown into a comprehensive continuum of prevention, intervention, treatment and training services for the citizens of Pottawatomie County, Lincoln County, Okfuskee County, Seminole County, and surrounding areas. We have professional, experienced staff providing all our services, and a board of directors who are second to none. In 1984, a board of directors was developed, by-laws were written and the organization DARE was incorporated in March. At that time an office was rented and the Shawnee Noonday Lions Club paid office rent for the first year. HELPLINE, a crisis line operated by the City of Shawnee, was given to DARE (now Gateway) to manage.
Our first paid professional staff was hired in 1985, the year that brought our 501(c)(3) status, and a foundation grant for operating capital. Through efforts of the board of directors, private donations and United Way funding was acquired.
By 1986, we had four full-time staff members. In 1987, the Advisory Board was developed and DARE received a prevention grant to provide School Team Training. Kansas was already doing School Team Training and Executive Director Sallie McLaughlin traveled to Kansas to participate and bring the information back to Oklahoma Schools.
Gateway now offers a broad array of services and is CARF accredited for integrated substance abuse and mental health services. Gateway embraces a philosophy of person-centered care in all programs offered.
Gateway to Prevention and Recovery is a private, non-profit corporation. As such, all board members are unpaid volunteers. These men and women donate countless hours in the hopes of making our community a better place to live.
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