Straight and Narrow

Now more than ever, Straight and Narrow’s mission to serve those dealing with addiction seems crucial and at times challenging as the agency overcomes two health crises – an epidemic inside a pandemic.

Straight and Narrow (SN), a Diocesan Catholic Charities agency the longest-running community-based residential treatment facility for drugs and alcohol based in Paterson, has continued to be almost entirely operational during the COVID-19 pandemic. Its work is considered essential and vital for the health and wellbeing of so many service recipients.



Angela Nikolovski, executive director of SN, said, “In the midst of the current health crisis, we at Straight & Narrow remain operational servicing our most vulnerable populations during this time when support, compassion and understanding are needed most. We have been working diligently at Straight & Narrow to maintain the safety of our therapeutic community and implement precautionary measures to best protect our clients and staff during this health pandemic. We are continuously evaluating the health and safety measures we have put in place to ensure the continued safety of our community. We couldn't do what we do each and every day without our most valuable asset - our committed and dedicated staff.”

A typical day at Straight and Narrow is complex yet rewarding according to Nikolovski. She said, “Providing a full continuum of care, separates our organization from other providers alike –allowing us to become a leader in the field of mental health and addiction treatment.  Our dedicated and professional staff service approximately 1,200 individuals and families each day. We strive to assist the client’s in reaching their goals of recovery.  We are here to provide support and compassion to help the client’s face and overcome their many underlying obstacles and challenges.  We are proud of the significant impact that we make on the lives of our clients, their families and the community at large.”

On Aug. 24, 2019, SN faced a devastating loss due to a five-alarm fire that destroyed its men’s halfway house on 410 Straight Street in Paterson. On the day of the fire more than 200 people were displaced and miraculously, no one was injured. The 50 men living at the facility have been relocated to an alternate agency location in Passaic with the primary goal to continue to provide treatment services to the men at the halfway house who had already lost everything. 
Nikolovski said, “With the support from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal SN’s vision to rebuild a facility that provides a safe haven to so many can be realized.  Our vision is to have a facility where all services can be provided in one location that meets all of the clients’ needs. In rebuilding we can demonstrate resiliency and strength to our clients and to the community at large. Funding received from the Bishop’s Annual Appeal will be allocated to the rebuild of the facility at 410 Straight Street as well as be utilized to meet the ongoing needs of the halfway house treatment program and the clients served within that program.”

In showing appreciation to all those that support the appeal, Nikolovski said, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those who have given to the Bishops Annual Appeal in support of the Straights & Narrow Fire. The fire was a significantly devastating catastrophe in the history of S&N. We are most thankful that no clients or staff were injured. The outpouring of support is positively overwhelming and in the midst of devastation is comforting for all of us at Straight & Narrow.  With your support S&N can continue to deliver quality integrated and comprehensive specialized health care, education and prevention services to our community.  We will continue to provide much needed treatment services during the current health pandemic, opioid epidemic and continue to save lives each and every day. Most of all it will allow us to continue to fulfill our mission of providing help and creating hope to those most in need.”