Building on Success: SouthLight’s Transformational Year
As 2024 comes to a close, I want to reflect on a year of transformative progress at SouthLight. This past year has been pivotal in laying the foundation for our future, and strengthening our ability to serve our community with compassion, innovation, and excellence.
2024 SouthLight Highlights
Watch a short highlight reel here!
This year has been filled with impactful milestones, including:
Major Renovation in Southeast Raleigh
We’re nearing completion of a significant renovation of our outpatient treatment center. This project represents more than just physical upgrades; it’s about creating a welcoming, accessible hub for recovery services. With modernized spaces, we are building a supportive recovery community to better serve our neighbors with integrated care.
Expanded Reach to New Communities
We extended our services into Cumberland and Harnett Counties, expanding our ability to support more individuals and families in need of mental health and substance use treatment.
New and Enhanced Services
We launched more community-based teams, including Assertive Community Treatment and Community Support Teams, and further developed our Recovery Court program.
Growth in Opioid Treatment Programs
With a census exceeding 850, SouthLight now operates the largest single-site Opioid Treatment Program and the largest jail dosing program in North Carolina. Our day and night clinics, as well as our jail services, continue to make a significant impact.
On-Site Partnership with Genoa Healthcare
This collaboration enhances medication access and care, making it easier for our clients to receive the support they need with an on-site pharmacy.
Progress Toward Becoming a CCBHC
We made strides toward achieving Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) status, which will enable us to provide more integrated and comprehensive care. Learn more about our CCBHC journey here.
Three-Year CARF Accreditation
This prestigious accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation (CARF) Facilities marks a significant milestone in its ongoing commitment to excellence in mental health and addiction treatment. For the first time, SouthLight was accredited as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and it distinguishes SouthLight as North Carolina’s first and only CCBHC to earn this recognition.
Capital Campaign Success
We are just shy of reaching our Capital Campaign fundraising goal, a testament to the vision of our team and the generosity of our community. This past year we struck up partnerships with several community groups, including White Memorial Presbyterian Church, which selected SouthLight as its Major Mission Partner, and has volunteered hundreds of hours and raised over $100,000 for our renovations.
Join us in this final stretch!
Looking Ahead to 2025
The coming year promises even more exciting opportunities to expand our impact:
Grand Opening of the Renovated Southeast Raleigh Center
We’ll celebrate the completion of our renovations with an Open House next spring, welcoming our community partners to our enhanced space.
Innovative Community Collaborations
We’re developing new partnerships with organizations such as Oak City Cares and Wake EMS and expanding support for judicial and incarcerated populations. Soon, we’ll also be working with permanent supportive housing at King’s Ridge.
Expanding Mobile and Drop-In Services
New grants will allow us to enhance services at our Southeast Raleigh Drop-In Center and launch a mobile Opioid Treatment Program unit to reach underserved areas.
Continued Growth in Central NC
Our expansion into Cumberland and Harnett Counties will continue, adding more mental health and substance use treatment services both in the office and in the community.
As I approach my five-year anniversary as SouthLight’s CEO this January, I’m inspired by how much we’ve accomplished together. This past year has been extraordinary, thanks to the unwavering support of our community and the dedication of our staff. Together, we’ll make 2025 another year of meaningful progress and hope.
Adam Hartzell, SouthLight Chief Executive Officer
Adam Hartzell believes people can transform their lives for the better when we break down the barriers that prevent them from accessing resources. As a seasoned chief executive, he brings a deep understanding of community-based organizations to his work as CEO of SouthLight. Throughout his career he has demonstrated his commitment to mission-driven work, addressing social determinants of health, building collaborative teams and partnerships, and implementing best practices as he strives to be a good steward of community resources.
