About The Linden Grove Foundation
- Home
- /
- About
ESTABLISHED 2024
- About us
Recovery Housing Built on Real Experience
- OUR STORY
Our Foundation Story
The Linden Grove Foundation began with a simple observation: too many people in recovery were living in substandard housing that treated them as income sources rather than people in crisis. Through conversations with friends, peers, and others in the recovery community, our founders kept hearing the same complaints. Recovery houses with little oversight, minimal support, and operators more interested in collecting rent than creating environments where sobriety could actually take root.
Shane, John, and Mitch started planning Linden Grove in late 2023 with a clear goal: create recovery housing that operates with integrity. They wanted to build something different from the profit-driven model that dominates much of the recovery housing industry in Pittsburgh. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, every dollar received goes back into the homes and the people living in them.
McKees Rocks was chosen for the first location because of its strong community roots and excellent access to the resources residents need. The neighborhood has public transportation to get to meetings and work, a supportive local community, and the kind of environment where recovery housing can genuinely serve people rather than isolate them.
The biggest challenge in getting started was securing the funding to do things right. It would have been easier to cut corners or operate as a for-profit venture, but that would have defeated the entire purpose. The founders were committed to building Linden Grove as a true nonprofit from day one, even when that made the process harder.
The vision for Linden Grove is straightforward: grow responsibly and expand to as many homes as possible while maintaining the quality and integrity that sets the foundation apart. Success isn’t measured in how quickly we scale, but in how well we serve the people who trust us with their recovery.
This is just the beginning. Linden Grove exists to prove that recovery housing can be done right, and to create a model that prioritizes people over profit in an industry that desperately needs it.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
- OUR MISSION & VALUES
Building Recovery on Solid Ground
We’re not here to run a business or maximize occupancy. We’re here to create the kind of recovery housing we wish existed when people we care about needed it. That means doing things right, even when it’s harder or more expensive. It means treating residents with respect while holding them accountable. It means building something that lasts and truly serves the recovery community in Pittsburgh.
Stability First
We believe stable housing is the foundation for everything else in recovery. Without a safe place to live, even the strongest intentions struggle to survive.
Accountability Without Judgment
Structure and expectations aren't punishment. They're the framework that helps people stay on track while they're building new lives.
People Over Profit
Every dollar we receive goes back into our homes and the people living in them. We're a nonprofit because we believe recovery housing should serve residents, not investors.
Experience Matters
Our board has been touched by addiction. We understand what's at stake and what's needed because we've lived it or watched people we love go through it.
- COMMON QUESTIONS
Everything You Need to Know About Linden Grove
Whether you’re learning about our mission for the first time or considering how to get involved, here are answers to the most common questions about The Linden Grove Foundation and what we do.
What is The Linden Grove Foundation?
Why was Linden Grove founded?
Our founders saw too many recovery houses in Pittsburgh operated as profit-driven ventures with minimal support for residents. We started Linden Grove to create recovery housing run with integrity, real accountability, and genuine care for people rebuilding their lives.
How is Linden Grove different from other recovery housing?
Every dollar we receive goes back into our homes and residents. We’re a nonprofit, not a business. Our board has personal experience with addiction, and we prioritize creating environments where recovery can actually happen over maximizing occupancy or revenue.
Where are your recovery homes located?
Our first home is located in McKees Rocks with excellent access to public transportation, 12-step meetings, and community resources. We plan to expand to additional locations as we grow.
How can I support Linden Grove's mission?
You can make a donation, spread the word about our program to treatment providers and people in recovery, or contact us about partnership opportunities. All donations are tax-deductible.
Who runs Linden Grove Foundation?
We’re led by a three-member board of directors with expertise in real estate development, business operations, and lived recovery experience. Learn more about our board on our leadership page.