Fire at Straight and Narrow

On August 24th, 2019 Straight and Narrow's 410 facility was destroyed by a fire.  Thankfully, none of our service recipients or staff members were harmed.   

We will be updating this page with updates on our rebuilding efforts, and how you can help our cause.   

Please keep the Straight and Narrow Family in your prayers during this time.   

Make an Online Donation
Make an online donation below

Donate by Check
Make Checks Payable to Catholic Charities
Memo: Straight and Narrow Fire
Send to:
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson
Straight and Narrow Fire Relief
777 Valley Road
Clifton, NJ 07013

Bishop's Annual Appeal
Thank you to the Diocesan Faithful who contributed over $319,000 to help with our recovery efforts! 

To make a donation by phone, a donation of clothing, or if you have any questions, please call: 
(973) 944-5992

The Straight and Narrow Fire - 4 Years Later
 August 24, 2024

In 2019, a fire at Straight and Narrow (S&N), the largest nonprofit drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in the country, consumed the building at 410 Straight Street. This event was a great tragedy for those who seek and provide treatment for addictive disorders, as well as a plethora of other community services.  The fire represented the loss of a historical structure and the destruction of a beacon of light for people of all walks of life seeking food, shelter, and treatment  for addiction.  Now, a new chapter of that story is being written,  colored by new opportunities. 

As described by Scott Milliken in his speech at groundbreaking ceremony: “Like almost every nonprofit, we always fit the service into the building and never have the opportunity to  design the building for the service.” Construction on the 50,000-square foot, two-story, facility began in March and is expected to be completed by June of 2025. The $30 million facility will include treatment, recreation and programming space, a kitchen, and  a halfway house for the organization to continue its  activities on a comprehensive campus.   Straight & Narrow’s community-based services include permanent supportive housing for individuals with  specialized medical conditions, family success center and a daycare center.   At the groundbreaking ceremony, speakers like Senator Nellie Pou, Straight & Narrow’s executive director Angela Nikolovski and Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh remembered the impact of the fire, celebrated Straight & Narrow’s successful continuation of activities throughout this challenging time as well as congratulated first responders and the Paterson Fire Department for preventing any casualties or injuries.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction please email [email protected] or call Straight and Narrow’s admissions office at (973) 345-6000  ext. 6289.

Straight and Narrow Kitchen Staff assist with providing help and creating hope for over 1,200 people in need each day.   The organization has persevered on through a devastating fire and COVID-19 in the past year. 

 

Straight and Narrow receives check for $319,760 to rebuild after five-alarm fire
By Cecile Pagliarulo, the Beacon
 August 13, 2020

'Incredible' support continues for Paterson's Straight & Narrow six months after fire

Five Months Since the Fire
 January 3, 2020

In the months following the devastating fire at Straight and Narrow, the Community has rallied behind Catholic Charities and those in recovery
 
Nearly 5 months after a five-alarm fire destroyed the 410 Straight Street building of Straight and Narrow, we continue to be in awe by the outpouring of support.
 
 “We want to thank everyone for their acts of kindness and prayers. In the days and weeks following the fire, our phones were ringing off the hook with people and service organizations who wanted to help. Months later, the community has continued to keep us in the forefront of their thoughts and for this we are grateful” said Scott Milliken Catholic Charities CEO.
 
Over $200,000 has been raised to date for Straight and Narrow Fire Recovery efforts.  In addition, Bishop Serratelli has pledged to give 10%, to fire recovery efforts, above and beyond what Catholic Charities already receives, from the 2019 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.   In addition to monetary donations, Straight and Narrow has received thousands of pounds of donated clothing, toiletries and other needed items for those in recovery.  
 
Straight and Narrow’s Halfway House, outpatient counseling rooms, and a warehouse where donations were stored were destroyed in the fire.   Miraculously, and thanks to the Paterson Fire Department and many other first responders, no one was hurt.  Thankfully, we were able to continue to provide treatment in another center for the 50 men at our Halfway House.  
 
The donations of clothing and other needed items have been stored and sorted at the Father English Center in Paterson.   Each day, Straight and Narrow clients have the first opportunity to use any newly donated clothing or toiletry items.  In the coming months, a thrift shop will be open at the Father English Center, stocked partially from the surplus of donated items. Everything that has been donated will be put to good use.   
 
One of the individuals who were displaced in the fire was Bruce Strickland.   Bruce lost everything he owned including one special item – a set of partial dentures. With the kindness of a dentist in Paterson, the dentures have been replaced.  Bruce now has a new smile! Catholic Charities staff members donated their time, driving Bruce more than two hours back and forth to the dentist. Bruce has since returned home to Burlington County after completing the halfway house program in the fall.
 
Bruce said, “I made a bad decision and that is how I ended up at Straight and Narrow. At Straight and Narrow, I learned the main thing about addiction and recovery is that it’s a thought process. I had to change the way I thought. My life has transformed by changing my whole thought process. Once you do that, good people come into your life.
 
Now 18 months clean and sober, Bruce is working and moving on with his life.  He is grateful to Catholic Charities, Bruce said, “Scott (Catholic Charities CEO) has gone above and beyond for me and he’s a Godsend. I’m just grateful because a lot of people in his position would have forgotten about me.  I am appreciative of all of those who have helped,” Bruce added.  
 
Catholic Charities, Straight and Narrow plans to begin to rebuild at the same location in the coming months, and hopes to help more people at this center than ever before.  We will be sure to keep the community informed as we plan for the future of Straight and Narrow.  
 

Update on Straight and Narrow Fire Recovery 
 From Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson CEO
By: Scott Milliken
September 20, 2019

Dear Catholic Charities Friends and Supporters,

On August 24th, as our program was burning, we were not sure of what the future of Straight and Narrow would look like.  We can now say, that it will be bright.  

We are continuously grateful to the first responders of the City of Paterson and beyond, who assured that everyone was safe and secure.    God was by our side on that day. 

Our staff did not miss a beat with regard to continuing to provide rehabilitation services throughout all of Straight and Narrow. 

Our men who were receiving treatment in our Halfway House are still receiving treatment at an alternate location of ours.  We are putting the pieces back together for this program and, thanks to your support, and the support of community organizations, we have been able to:

• Provide $125 in gift cards from the Red Cross
• Provide gift cards from shoprite from Catholic Family and Community services
• We have supplied our individuals with laundry bags and have coordinated off site laundry services, as we restore laundry services, in-house
• We have purchased new kitchen appliances and needed items
• An X-Box, Blue Ray player, DVD's, and a new television have been provided for recreational use
• In addition to thousands of articles of gently used clothing and new toiletry items, several companies and groups have provided new items including a generous donation from Freedom Industries.
• We are working with our insurance company to assure that each individual affected by the fire is appropriately compensated
• Our individuals from our Halfway House have been able to use Father English Center as a place where they can pickup your generous donations of items

Your support is still needed to help the men in our Halfway House and all of those who have been impacted by this fire.  To support our efforts please visit www.ccpaterson.org.snfire.   For a listing of needed items please visit www.ccpaterson.org/snwishlist. 

We are also in need of volunteers to come to our Father English Center donation drop-off site to help us sort though and organize the many, many donated items, if you are interested in volunteering please call 973-944-5992. 

The support from the community has non-stop since day one.  In a future update, we will share with you a listing of many of the organizations and community groups that have helped us.  There are so many kind individuals to thank.

Bishop Serratelli  and the entire Diocese of Paterson continue to offer their support.  10% of all funds raised in this year's Bishop's Annual Appeal will benefit Straight and Narrow's recovery efforts, in addition to what Catholic Charities currently receives from the appeal.  

We are so blessed to have received support from so many communities, including the faithful of the Diocese of Paterson, many different religious groups, the recovery community, the City of Paterson and more.  It is thanks to you all that we are able to provide help and create hope for those in need.  

Sincerely, 

Scott Milliken
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson
Chief Executive Officer
 

Update on Straight and Narrow Fire Recovery
 From Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson CEO
By: Scott Milliken
August 31, 2019

Dear Catholic Charities Friends and Supporters,

This past week has been a whirlwind for the Catholic Charities Family.  

A week ago today, Straight and Narrow's 410 Straight Street caught on fire. A small isolated blaze turned into a 5-alarm catastrophe. By the end of the night, this building, a staple in Paterson for so many years, burnt to the ground. 

Our services at 410 included a women’s counseling office and a 50 bed men’s halfway house. Additionally, our bottom floor "warehouse" was destroyed.  This area housed our donations.  Clothing, toiletries, baby items and other such items were stored in here. These donations were given to the over 200 individuals in recovery that use Straight and Narrow's services.   

Miraculously no one was hurt. Straight and Narrow staff, clients, and first responders all walked away uninjured. 

Thankfully, the neighboring building, our Monsignor Mark Giordani Center was not damaged. This building houses all the residential treatment for men and women and our detox hospital unit. 

200 people in recovery were initially displaced. Within 24 hours, 150 were able to return to the center. The additional 50 men at our halfway house were relocated to another Catholic Charities Center and have continued to receive treatment. These individuals have remained in high spirits and epitomize resiliency.  

The Paterson fire department has complimented Catholic Charities stating that they have never seen an evacuation and mobilization of this size run so smoothly. They and our other first responders are the true heroes. 

410 Straight Street is in the process of being demolished and the street has been reopened.  

The support from the community has been Indescribably immense.  A countless number of recovery organizations, businesses and service groups have or are currently hosting drives to replenish what was lost. I am proud of Straight and Narrow's fellow Catholic Charities agencies, Catholic Family and Community Services and the Department for Persons with Disabilies who have stepped up to show their support. 

As the building was burning Bishop Serratelli offered his support.  10% of all funds raised in this year's Bishop's Annual Appeal will benefit Straight and Narrow's recovery efforts, in addition to what Catholic Charities currently receives from the appeal. We are appreciate his support and the generosity of the Diocesan faithful.  

We are so thankful to our community, but we are still in need of help. You can visit www.ccpaterson.org/snfire for information about where to drop off goods and make donations.   

We are truly inspired by your kindness . Catholic Charities does so much for so many.  With your continued support, we will grow stronger.  

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, donations and outpour of love.  We are truly blessed! 

Sincerely, 

Scott Milliken
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson
Chief Executive Officer
 

Letter from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson CEO
By: Scott Milliken
August 24, 2019

Dear Catholic Charities Supporters and Friends,

Late this morning, 410 Straight Street was engulfed in flames. A small isolated blaze quickly turned into a five-alarm fire, sending plumes of black smoke into the air.

 Thank you to our working Straight and Narrow employees, who, when the alarm sounded, acted diligently and professionally. Our service recipients evacuated quickly and calmly, and none of our employees or clients were hurt.  

200 individuals from Straight and Narrow were evacuated and displaced. We are working with many community groups to provide them with the shelter and continued treatment that they need.  

Anyone who was receiving treatment was moved to places where they will continue to receive treatment.  If you are concerned about the whereabouts of a loved one, please contact [email protected]. 

Our services at 410 included a women’s counseling office and a 50 bed men’s halfway house. The remainder of this facility was used for storage space. This entire building has been destroyed.  

Thankfully, the neighboring building next door at 396 Straight Street was not damaged. This building houses all the residential treatment for men and women and our detox hospital unit. Thank you again to our staff for acting quickly and to the fire department for their incredible work; without them,  this neighboring building could have also been destroyed.  

It will take time to rebuild, but Straight and Narrow will continue helping those in recovery during, and long-after the rebuilding process.  

It is times like these that our community comes together and we have many people to thank. We would especially like to acknowledge: 

• Paterson's brave firefighters, police officers and all first responders for their quick action which prevented an even worse disaster.  Special thanks to Fire Chief Brian McDermott, Police Director Jerry Speziale, and Police Chief Troy Oswald. 

• The additional fire departments who bravely assisted including Boonton, Parsipanny, Bloomfield, Pompton Lakes, Fairfield, Wanaque, Wyckoff and West Milford. 

• The Straight and Narrow staff and executive team, including Executive Director Angela Nikolovski for her leadership. 

• Diocesan leadership including Bishop Serratelli and Monsignor Mahoney who, upon hearing of the fire, were at the scene.  We would also like to acknowledge Monsignor Geno Sylva, Father Luis Alberto Hernandez,  Bill Rafferty, Richard Ziccardi and Thomas Barrett for their support today and for all they do for Catholic Charities.  

• Catholic Charities Board President Monsignor Herb Tillyer and our entire board of trustees, who all individually asked "what can I do to help?" 

• Mayor Andre Sayegh, the Paterson Office of Emergency Management, and the people of Paterson. This city is strong, perseverant and has an amazing spirit.  We are proud to be the Diocese of Paterson.    

• All of our fellow community organizations who have assisted with responding to this crisis including the American Red Cross (Jocelyn Gilman),  St Joseph's Hospital (Kevin Slavin and Ken Morris), Eva’s Village, Integrity House, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Newark, Trenton, Metuchen, Camden and Catholic Charities USA.  We would not have been able to respond alone! 

Though part of Straight and Narrow's facilities have been destroyed, our organization is very much alive and well. We will continue to provide help and create hope for all of those in need, including individuals in recovery. 

Hundreds of kind people have asked Catholic Charities "how can I help" and for this we are humbled. We will need assistance rebuilding, purchasing goods, and with immediate needs.  We will share with you how you can give via your mobile phone, by making in-kind donations and through donations through our website. 

Thank you all for your kindness and willingness to help. We are proud of our city, Diocese and community and thank God no one was hurt.  

Please keep the Straight and Narrow Family and all of the first responders in your prayers.  

Scott Milliken
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson
Chief Executive Officer