Mid-1970’s

Tom Reardon, Charlie Prazzle, Tom Gorman, and Peter McGrath dream of a halfway house located in Allston that would treat men and women in early recovery. They would call it the Granada House, named after the order of monks in Granada, Spain, who cared for the poor and helpless.

1979

The Grand Opening, scheduled in the Nurses Quarters of Saint John of God Hospital, Brighton, Massachusetts. The Nurses Quarters burns down before anyone can move in. Two years of re-planning and finding other financing and resources to keep the dream alive follows.

1981

Granada House (GH) opens in the main hospital area of the Brighton Marine Hospital. GH receives its first public funding, from the state Division of Alcoholism. Staff members begin to receive salaries for the first time. Every resident has his or her own room.

1982

Executive Director Tom Reardon awakens each resident at midnight to move to building 77D of the Marine Hospital. The building had only become available that evening. Without the move, it would be designated for services other than those of the GH. The Midnight Move was unauthorized, but was done in such a thorough manner that it “became" authorized shortly thereafter. The GH remains at 77D for 15 years.

1982

Deborah Larson becomes quite involved in the GH--first as a resident, then as a night staff person and counselor, and eventually the Executive Director. She continues in this capacity today.

1990

GH receives a Ryan White grant to treat people infected with HIV.

1991

GH must raise its own funding to become handicap-accessible, by throwing a “Bathroom Ball”. GH becomes the first substance-abuse recovery home to accomplish this mission.

1992

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) comes into effect. The law sets down heavy penalties for noncompliance. GH becomes fully accessible.

1993-1996

Many attempts to relocate in order to become a community-based residential recovery home are denounced by politicians, community groups, or misinformed community members.

1994

Senator John Kerry helps GH save the lease on its existing home.

1996

The Zoning Board of Appeals denies the move of GH to 70 Adamson Street in Allston. At the hearing, attorney Vin McCarthy gives an impassioned argument, which falls on deaf ears.

1997

GH sues for zoning discrimination based on the Rehab Act, the ADA, and the Fair Housing Act, which states that no one can be discriminated against due to race, creed, origin, or disability. Lawyers Karen Green and Cindy Vreeland of the law firm Hale and Dorr agree to litigate the case. The state Attorney General sides with the GH while the case is in Superior Court. The case now becomes Granada House and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts versus the City of Boston. The case doesn't even make it to trial before a decision is made. Judge Lauriatt decides that the GH was discriminated against. In the end, damages are assessed. The money pays for the renovation of the house at 70-72 Adamson Street. In October, the much-anticipated move finally happens. GH becomes a real part of the local community. The new GH becomes dedicated to the law firm, Hale and Dorr, which fought nobly for the cause pro bono.

1999

GH opens the doors to nearby 12 Alcott Street, a transitional or ¾-house in Allston.

2001

 The City of Boston awards GH a $25,000 grant to make 12 Alcott Street accessible.

2002

12 Alcott Street becomes accessible.

2003

GH is chosen one of five promising practices by the US Department of Labor for its enlightened attitude toward work as a therapy for people newly in recovery from substance abuse.