Integrity House has secured a $1 million grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The funds will help expand employment opportunities for individuals impacted by the opioid epidemic.

The Newark-based nonprofit will launch a two-year workforce development and career placement program focused on Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties. The funding comes via the state’s Pathways to Recovery program.

According to Integrity House, the initiative is designed for individuals impacted by opioid use disorder. In particular, it focuses on those currently experiencing OUD or at risk of developing the disorder.

The nonprofit said the program will connect participants to training and employment opportunities in several fields. Those include peer recovery support, healthcare, skilled trades, security, logistics and food services.

Additionally, participants will have access to GED preparation, basic skills education, and a range of supportive services designed to reduce barriers to employment and long-term success, Integrity House said.

The group said available support will include:

• Child care assistance
• Transportation services
• Legal assistance
• Access to behavioral health and substance use treatment

‘A critical role’

The NJDOL introduced the Pathways to Recovery program in 2019 with an initial focus on areas hardest hit by the opioid crisis. It expanded statewide two years ago.

Fast access to care

Earlier this year, Integrity House posted a kiosk at University Hospital in Newark that provides resources such as naloxone, at-home HIV test kits and other prevention supplies. Find out more.

Over the years, Pathways to Recovery has distributed at least $39 million in state and federal grant funding to support employment, training and recovery services, according to the program’s website.

Integrity House President and CEO Robert Budsock said, “Employment can play a critical role in helping individuals build stability, confidence, and a sense of purpose as they move forward in recovery.”

He added, “This funding will allow us to expand opportunities for individuals impacted by opioid use disorder while helping them gain the skills, support, and resources needed to pursue meaningful careers and long-term success.”

Integrity House is one of the state’s largest licensed nonprofit providers of comprehensive substance use disorder and mental health services. Across New Jersey, the 58-year-old organization’s services include:

• Residential and outpatient substance use disorder treatment
• Mental health and physical health services
• Housing, outreach and prevention programs

In 2025, Newsweek named it as one of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers for the second year in a row.