History
Since opening our doors in 1976 in Minneapolis, Turning Point has served more than 24,000 people. Over the years, it has become clear that sobriety is not the end but the beginning, and that the goal is total recovery. In order to have total recovery, we must address the underlying issues that led to substance abuse.
Turning Point’s founder and president, Dr. Peter Hayden, entered a chemical dependency treatment program in 1973. He discovered that the treatment center he attended did not have clients or staff that looked like him, and that most African Americans did not seek treatment because there were no treatment centers in the African American community. Treatment programs failed to address issues that African Americans face every day mainly because of the color of their skin.
Dr. Hayden was told he had to move out of the community to remain sober. He made that move, but he had passion for people who did not have the means to move.
“What would it take to start a treatment center in the African American community?” Dr. Hayden asked. “Clients that complete treatment should be able to stay in our community and remain sober despite seeing friends and/or family members still using or selling drugs.”
Dr. Hayden sought the help of Minneapolis community leaders Harry Davis, Richard Green and Earl Craig to help start Turning Point in 1976.
Fast forward to 2011: We designed and implemented our Culturally Specific Service Center (CSSC), which addresses disparities in the African American community.
DR. PETER HAYDEN
Founder and President
Through our CSSC, we have developed partnerships with agencies that have expertise in such areas as job placement and employment counseling, legal assistance, health insurance, mental health, education and housing. The partners are located in our main headquarters in Minneapolis, where inpatient and outpatient services are provided.
Under the CSSC, Turning Point has also evolved into a leader of culturally specific training for businesses and organizations.
Turning Point has remained committed to stopping drug and alcohol abuse, which often leads to poverty, homelessness, unemployment and the destruction of families. We strive to reach for our goals and resolve these issues “one person at a time.”
