The Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. is dedicated to expanding our supportive services beyond men facing challenges related to substance use, mental health disorders, and homelessness. We are excited to announce our vision for the River House, a specialized program designed to meet the unique needs of women facing similar issues.
Our approach will integrate psychoeducational interventions, evidence-based treatment modalities, personalized treatment plans, and clinical evaluations to empower women on their journey to recovery.
Why we aim to do it:
The River House was born from a place of pain, healing and profound hope. It began with one couple’s journey – marked by a struggle with substance use disorder. While the male counterpart found refuge and support at The Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. (a male only recovery residence), his partner continued to suffer, unable to access the same services within Seminole County. The services she needed included housing, substance use counseling, mental health resources, employment support services and case management. All the services her partner was receiving at the Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. Their lives were forever changed with the birth of their daughter, River. However tragically, soon after bringing River into the world, her mother lost her battle to addiction.
Her passing left behind not only deep sorrow, but a start realization: if she had access to the kind of compassionate, evidence-based care offered at Recovery House, her story may have ended differently. River’s life had just begun, and yet her family had already been reshaped by the absence of a critical resource for women in crisis.
Out of this heartbreak emerged a vision. The idea for the River House took root; a space created with purpose, designed to offer women the same level of support, dignity and care that helped one man rebuild his life. It is a tribute to River’s mother and all the women who have faced addiction without a lifeline.
The River House is more than a program. It is a promise to meet women where they are, to walk with them through recovery, and to nurture hope for every family still waiting for their second chance.
Director of Marketing and Community Relations
Finance Director
Executive Director
Edward Carr has served as the Executive Director of Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. since 2024. Prior to that, he held several important roles over the past ten years. One notable role was as a client of Recovery House, entering the program in 2015. Edward has earned a master’s degree in social work and is a Master Certified Addiction Professional through the Florida Certification Board. He is also a Registered Clinical Social Work intern with the Florida Department of Health Division of Quality Assurance. Edward honorably served in the United States Air Force and in law enforcement.
Edward is leading the organization with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Recovery House continues to expand its mission serving Central Florida, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use disorders. Having experienced many of the issues the clients have, Edward has developed a personal affinity for the needs of the population he serves.
Clinical Director
Throughout her career, Dr. Thomas has held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Continuous Quality Improvement for One Hope United, National Director of Mental Health Services for AMIkids, and Executive Director for Children’s Home Society of Tampa.
She currently serves as the Clinical Director for Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc., where she oversees clinical programming and ensures the delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑informed care.
