About Friendly House
Our Legacy: Women Healing Women from Addiction
Back in 1951, when most people viewed addiction—wrongly—as a moral failing, one powerhouse woman created something revolutionary here in Los Angeles. Bea Jorgensen wanted to create a home where women could feel safe, a home where they would be loved unconditionally while they learned to love themselves.
She started by going to the Los Angeles County Jail to visit women incarcerated there. At first, she met resistance from the sheriff’s department, but gradually—through persistence and demonstrated success—she won the department’s support. Bea raised money to support the house from friends in the community. Contributions were raised on a month-to-month basis—even day to day.
It was Bea’s constant desire and second dream come true to be able to leave Friendly House in the hands of someone who shared her love and dedication to its continuing efforts. That person would be Peggy Albrecht.
Peggy joined the staff of Friendly House in 1983, becoming Friendly House’s second Executive Director. Under Peggy’s loving guidance, Friendly House grew in stature, strength, and reputation from one location into two, each offering distinct levels of care. We maintain both of these homes today as a licensed residential treatment facility and a structured sober living environment, in addition to our intensive outpatient program facilities.
Seventy-plus years later, we're still here. Our refuge for women battling addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges in the heart of L.A. has weathered changing economies, an evolving addiction landscape, and shifting cultural norms. What hasn't changed? Our unwavering belief that women recover best when surrounded by other women who understand their unique challenges.
Just ask Christina Simos, our Executive Director. Before leading Friendly House, she walked through our doors herself as a client. Indeed, similar stories echo through our halls: Many staff members began their recovery journeys right here, sitting exactly where our clients sit today.
A Non-Profit Approach to Addiction Treatment
To this day, Friendly House is a non-profit organization run by a Board of Directors. We are entirely supported by private donations, grants and fundraising efforts by the Board of Directors, alumni and special events such as our Annual Awards Luncheon and Comedy Fundraiser. Contact us to become a donor, or explore or financials.
More Than Just Addiction Treatment
When women tell us they've tried recovery before, we get it. Treatment that addresses only the substance use—without healing the whole person—rarely sticks. That's why Friendly House feels different the moment you step inside. You'll notice it in the way women gather in the backyard, speaking freely about experiences they might never share in mixed company. You'll feel it around the kitchen island, where laughter flows and sometimes tears. You'll recognize it in group sessions where no one has to explain what it means to be a woman navigating a world that expects us to hold it all together, no matter what.
Our approach weaves together:
Expert medical care for safe detox and withdrawal
Trauma therapy that heals old wounds
Mental health treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD and more
Practical life skills for sustainable independence
Cultural responsiveness that honors diverse experiences
Holistic practices like yoga, equine therapy, and meditation
Most importantly, we offer genuine connection—the antidote to the isolation that fuels addiction. Learn more about our treatment at the link.
The Friendly House Approach To Addiction Treatment
Women's addiction treatment at Friendly House builds on decades of experience and evolving research about gender-specific recovery. For instance, we've learned that women:
- Process substances differently physiologically
- Often enter treatment with histories of trauma
- Face unique stigma and barriers to seeking help
- Navigate complicated family expectations and responsibilities
- Benefit tremendously from seeing recovery modeled by other women
Our program addresses these realities through tailored care that honors each woman's unique needs and strengths. From medical detox through residential treatment, outpatient programming, and sober living, we offer a complete continuum of care.
Addiction Recovery Where All Are Welcome
Recovery belongs to everyone. We welcome women across the spectrum of:
- Age (from young adults to seniors)
- Race and ethnicity (with culturally responsive care)
- Sexual orientation and gender experience
- Economic circumstance
- Religious and spiritual background
- Recovery history (whether it's your first try or fifteenth)
Whatever path brought you here, you'll find women who get it—those who've faced similar struggles and found their way through. Our diverse community creates a tapestry of shared wisdom where women learn from each other's unique perspectives while discovering universal truths about healing.
From Treatment to Lifelong Community: The Friendly House Alumni Program
Talk to our alumni (fondly known as the "Grateful Hearts"), and you'll quickly understand that Friendly House isn't something you graduate from. It's a community you join for life. The Friendly House community sustains recovery long after formal treatment ends. Our alumni gather monthly, mentor newcomers, celebrate milestones, and support each other through life's inevitable challenges. For many, they find their chosen family here.
The Friendly House Mission
At Friendly House, our mission is to inspire and empower women of all gender experiences, on their journey to overcoming substance use disorders and mental health challenges. Our program offers a blend of clinical expertise, cultural wisdom and community support in an inclusive space. Our aim is to restore dignity and foster resilience providing the tools and support needed to heal trauma patterns that often serve as barriers to a sustainable recovery lifestyle.
The Friendly House Vision
We enhance recovery outcomes for all women regardless of race, age, gender identity, or economic background.
Friendly House Values
Transparency
We believe in open and honest communication. We do not withhold or hide information. We are transparent in our actions, decisions, and communications with both the people we work with and those we serve.
Respect
We accept people for who they are even when they’re different from us or we don’t agree with them. Respect in our relationships builds feelings of trust, safety and well-being. We treat each other with dignity and value the collective power of teamwork.
Freedom
Every individual has a voice. It is our job to hear it, nurture it and empower it. You have the right to be who you are. You are celebrated for your mind, thoughts and ideas. We believe your authentic self is your best self. We strive to create an environment that allows you to thrive.
Courage
We take a fearless inventory of ourselves and the work we do. We continually ask ourselves how we can improve what we are doing. We are unafraid to take risks, make mistakes and are fearless in our pursuit of recovery.
Integrity
We do things the right way. We operate above board. We don’t take shortcuts and we don’t allow outside influences to get in the way of our moral compass.
Ingenuity
We think outside of the box, remain curious and are open to new concepts, ideas, creative ways to address substance use disorder treatment for women/non-binary individuals. We value education, lived experience and science.
Community
We believe that together we are stronger. We practice unselfish love for others. We care deeply for each person that we encounter, each person that works for us and each person that walks through our doors. We whole heartedly care about the success of our clients and of our team.
Get to Know Friendly House
Explore our video library to learn more about Friendly House and how we can help. Or, reach out.