St. Christopher’s Inn is saving lives. Thousands have walked the Holy Mountain seeking healing from addiction. But its mission also extends beyond these hallowed grounds, leading the fight against one of our nation’s greatest crises.
In 2022, opioid overdoses claimed 81,806 lives, up from 49,860 in 2019, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It is no secret that an opioid crisis persists in the United States, but there are ways to help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that almost 40% of opioid overdoses occur while another person is present. Administering Narcan nasal spray in these situations can save people’s lives and possibly bring them a step closer to recovery.
Narcan is the brand name for Naloxone, a medication that blocks opioid receptors in the brain and quickly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. The American Medical Association endorses training laypeople to administer Narcan.
St. Christopher’s Inn, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, has provided free Narcan training and kits for years and continues to provide monthly training dates. Attendees will learn how to administer this life-saving medication during this short session and will receive a Narcan kit and certification card in the mail at no cost. The next session is Wednesday, March 26.
We are committed to providing physical, emotional, and spiritual healing from addiction. Our services include chemical dependency treatment, primary healthcare, and temporary housing. We also offer telehealth services for those who cannot come to us in person. At the heart of our mission are the words of St. Francis of Assisi: “We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”
When Servant of God Father Paul Wattson, SA, and Mother Lurana White, SA, arrived at Graymoor more than 100 years ago, they saw many homeless individuals in need. Inspired by President Lincoln’s log cabin, Fr. Paul transformed a chicken coop into a lodge, naming it St. Christopher’s Inn after the patron saint of travelers. The men who stayed there became known as Brothers Christopher. The Inn began offering addiction resources in the 1970s and has continued to grow as a spiritually focused addiction-recovery program.
Currently guided by President and Spiritual Director Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, St. Christopher’s Inn takes a hands-on approach that has helped many men move steadily along the path to recovery.
We want to empower you to save lives. Sign up today for our free Narcan training and supplies.
All training sessions are held Wednesdays at 2:30pm (EST) :
March 26, 2025
April 30, 2025
May 28, 2025
June 25, 2025
July 23, 2025
August 20, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 22, 2025
November 12, 2025
December 10, 2025
Click here for more information and to register for our next training!