350
Preventable overdose deaths in Barnstable County since 2020
OUR IMPACT
2300
Individuals positively impacted by WellStrong programs
1
Only Cape Cod non-profit dedicated to providing wellness and fitness support to individuals in recovery through a dedicated wellness center and physical community
MISSION
WellStrong’s mission is To support recovery progress by providing wellness programs, peer support, and transformational opportunities. We envision a world where every individual in recovery from substance use disorder has access to a supportive wellness community to empower their lives.
At WellStrong, we offer a safe, supportive, sober environment that allows people in all stages of recovery from substance use disorder to participate in wellness activities. From those beginning their sobriety journey to seasoned members who continue to thrive, our supportive environment and evidence-based activities significantly reduce relapse rates.
Our unique studio structure provides a progression from participant to mentor, offering a space for personal growth, community engagement, and job opportunities. Members are encouraged to take on roles as Studio Mentors who provide peer support, volunteers, or even certified fitness instructors, creating a self-sustaining cycle of inclusivity and support.
Beyond recovery, our programs empower members to translate their newfound habits and skills into professional success. By honing essential life skills through wellness practices, individuals build resilience and thrive in their Cape Cod communities and beyond.
*1. Ashford RD, Brown A, Canode B, Sledd A, Potter JS, Bergman BG. Peer-based recovery support services delivered at recovery community organizations: Predictors of improvements in individual recovery capital. Addict Behav. 2021 Aug;119:106945. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106945. Epub 2021 Apr 6. PMID: 33872848.
OUR STORY
WellStrong’s founder, Amy Doherty, knows well the difference a life in recovery can make. Amy was embroiled in a chaotic, unstable childhood marked by her father’s alcoholism, until she was twelve years old. That year, he enrolled in a 12-Step Program and committed to his art, sculpting. Through his recovery, love and security returned to Amy’s family.
Years later, Amy began to recognize that her brother, David, was exhibiting similar signs as their father, with an addiction to drugs and alcohol. Through a loving family intervention, David entered treatment at Gosnold on Cape Cod. With treatment, he lived a happy and fulfilling life for another seven and a half years until he died, tragically, from heart disease at age 39.
After David’s death in 2010, Amy and her husband Sean (who were race directors of some local 5Ks), and the entire Lewis family, joined with Gosnold to host an annual road race and fundraiser in his memory: The David Lewis 5K – A Celebration of Recovery and Community.
That same year, Amy was diagnosed with Lyme disease, rendering her unable to exercise. Having been a competitive athlete and triathlete, this physical deterioration caused Amy to shift her focus to yoga and meditation. Through intentionally strengthening her own mind-body connection, Amy began to heal and regain her fitness capabilities.
Understanding the benefits of this holistic approach, Amy reconnected with Gosnold and began volunteering at Emerson House, their residential treatment center for women, where she led a weekly walk/run with the residents. She learned from the women there that many of them also practiced yoga, participated in gym fitness, and were learning to meditate. Many times, these intentional practices were the determining factor in someone’s ability to find recovery and stay sober.
Seeing the connections between her own health journey, those of her family members, and the women in her Falmouth community receiving treatment at Gosnold, Amy was inspired to form a nonprofit organization that would offer these practices in a supportive and affordable recovery community environment. Within eighteen months, the WellStrong studio opened in 2017, and has been growing and evolving to meet the needs of members ever since.