The Compass House at Providence College: An Innovative Approach to Supporting Students in Recovery
Herren Wellness and Providence College partner to create a substance-free living community centered on wellness, connection, and college success.
College is a time of independence, opportunity, and personal growth. But for students navigating substance use recovery, emotional wellness challenges, or the transition from a higher level of care, it can also be a time of uncertainty.
College campuses have an opportunity to move beyond traditional prevention programs by creating supportive communities where students can find connection, accountability, and a sense of belonging. By prioritizing wellness and recovery alongside academic success, colleges can help students navigate challenges, build healthy relationships, and develop the foundation for meaningful, fulfilling lives in a substance-free environment.
That vision is at the heart of The Compass House at Providence College, in partnership with Herren Wellness.
Recently, Chris Herren, former NBA player, founder of Herren Wellness, and nationally recognized recovery advocate, joined Jim Braude and Margery Eagan on GBH's Boston Public Radio to discuss The Compass House and the importance of supporting young people in recovery. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping students build meaningful, healthy lives through connection, community, and a personalized approach to wellness.
Rethinking Recovery and Prevention on College Campuses
For many young adults, college represents their first experience living independently. Along with new opportunities come academic pressures, social expectations, and decisions surrounding alcohol and substance use.
For students in recovery, navigating a traditional college environment can present additional challenges. While substance use prevention and education remain important, supporting young adults also means recognizing the need for environments where students can build healthy relationships, develop resilience, and feel a sense of belonging.
Recovery and wellness should not mean stepping away from the college experience. Students deserve the opportunity to pursue both. The Compass House offers an alternative: a supportive, substance-free living community where students can remain engaged in campus life while developing the routines, relationships, and skills that contribute to long-term well-being.
A Community Built for the Whole Student
Located just steps from Providence College, The Compass House is a professionally staffed, substance-free residential community accommodating up to 10 students.
The program welcomes students with a variety of experiences and wellness goals, including those recovering from substance use disorders, managing emotional wellness challenges, transitioning from higher levels of care, or simply seeking additional structure and accountability.
Through individualized wellness plans, recovery and resilience coaching, counseling, peer support, mentorship, and community engagement, students receive support that meets them where they are. A live-in house manager, weekly resident gatherings, and access to Herren Wellness alumni programming help create an environment grounded in connection, accountability, and shared purpose.
The goal is not simply to provide substance-free housing. It is to create a community where students feel supported in their personal growth, recovery, relationships, and academic success.
Bringing the Herren Wellness Model to College Life
At Herren Wellness, recovery has never been viewed as a single program or a fixed period of time. It is an ongoing process of building a meaningful life through connection, accountability, healthy routines, and purpose.
The Compass House brings this philosophy into a collegiate setting. Through its partnership with Providence College, Herren Wellness extends its holistic approach beyond residential recovery programming, creating opportunities for students to receive continued support while pursuing their education.
The partnership also reflects a personal connection to Providence College. Chris and Heather Herren have longstanding ties to the college, where Heather and their daughter are graduates. For Chris, whose work has reached more than two million students, athletes, and community members, The Compass House represents another opportunity to help young people find hope and support before their struggles define their future.
Recovery Doesn't Have to Mean Putting Life on Hold
One of the challenges young people face when seeking help is the fear of falling behind—academically, socially, or personally. Students may worry that prioritizing recovery means sacrificing the college experience or stepping away from the future they have worked toward.
The Compass House challenges that perception. By combining the resources of Providence College with the community-centered approach of Herren Wellness, students have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals while strengthening the foundation of their personal wellness. They can attend classes, participate in campus activities, develop friendships, and continue building their futures within a supportive living environment.
Recovery is not about putting life on hold. It is about building a life that supports lasting wellness, meaningful relationships, and personal growth.
Creating a Culture of Connection, Accountability, and Hope
The Compass House is about more than recovery housing. It represents a commitment to changing how colleges approach student wellness and support.
Not every student entering The Compass House will have the same story, and not every student will define recovery in the same way. What connects them is a commitment to personal growth, substance-free living, and supporting one another.
At Herren Wellness, we believe connection is one of the most powerful foundations for lasting recovery. Through this partnership, Providence College and Herren Wellness are creating a community where students do not have to choose between their well-being and their education.
Learn More About The Compass House
The Compass House at Providence College, in partnership with Herren Wellness, provides a supportive, substance-free living community for students committed to wellness, recovery, and academic success. Learn more about The Compass House at Providence College and the Herren Wellness approach to recovery.
About Herren Wellness
Herren Wellness is a thriving community of people at all stages in their recovery journey. We introduce holistic therapies and strategies centered around emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness.
We believe that staying connected and community has a lasting impact on recovery. Your connection to Herren Wellness doesn’t end when your stay ends; we are there for you throughout your recovery journey.
If you, or a loved one, are looking for help, please call us at (844) 443-7736, text (774) 768-3211, email us at info@herrenwellness.com, or register for a 30 minute consultation with Lori McCarthy, Executive Director. It is never too early or too late to begin a conversation about recovery.