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Lowell House is now known as Riverbend. Learn more.

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About

Providing residential and outpatient addiction services for over 50 years.

Riverbend assists people and their families to rebuild their lives and strengthen our communities by providing the resources, direct support, skills and freedom to live a life of purpose in recovery.

Riverbend was founded in 1971 as Lowell House as a group for men dealing with alcoholism. In 2024 Lowell House rebranded as Riverbend to represent the growth the organization has taken over the years. Since our inception, we have grown to provide direct services to seven cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley through our four residential treatment centers, our outpatient clinic, outreach services, peer recovery support, and four sober homes. Since 1971 we have helped over 30,000 individuals in their journey of recovery. Just like our clients’ recovery journey, our organization has had its ebbs and flows, but always moving forward.

It is with great pride and optimism that we present Riverbend’s five-year Strategic Plan. This plan was developed through thoughtful collaboration with our staff, board members and community partners and reflects our commitment to deepening our impact, sustainable expansion of programs and services all while staying true to our mission. It outlines bold goals and measurable outcomes, and it challenges us to innovate, adapt, and lead with compassion – every step of the plan is grounded in our dedication to serving the people who need and rely on us most.

STRATEGIC PLAN

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01 How do I know if someone is suffering from Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder is a complex, compulsive disease. When any type of compulsive disorder begins to interfere with the quality of life or your overall health and welfare, you may need help.

Privacy is a high priority to our professional and support staff. They are all trained in the rules and regulations governing privacy in health care organizations referred to as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and 42 CFR Part Two Final.

Yes, but we strongly recommend that the first step is to make an appointment with one of our case managers to determine the correct level of care needed and plan out an effective course of action.
Wait times vary depending on programs. Our community based services have a one week wait before being seen by a highly skilled therapist. The residential programs average one to two months. Each program has an application to begin the referral process.
Our case management, treatment and residential staff are all familiar with a variety of community resources, including housing and employment. We have a number of community partners that specialize in support services and help to assess needs and place clients in the most effective program.

MassHire Lowell Career Center

Community Teamwork

Coalition for a Better Acre

The Lowell Housing Authority

Mass Rehab Commission

The Lowell Transitional Living Center

Lowell Community Health Center

Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell

Merrimack Valley Food Bank

THE FACTS + STATS
2,100
2,100 unique clients served during FY24
27%
27% of clients use multiple services
4,332
4,332 doses of Narcan distributed throughout the City of Lowell

Meet The Executive Team

Evan Boyack
Chief Executive Officer
eboyack@riverbendmv.org
Elizabeth Cary Blum
Chief Advancement Officer
eblum@riverbendmv.org
William Moore
Chief Technology Officer
wmoore@riverbendmv.org
David Fillio, LICSW, MS
Chief Clinical Officer
dfillio@riverbendmv.org
Jack Cooney
Financial Controller
jcooney@riverbendmv.org
Lissie Bates-Haus
Chief Operations Officer
ebateshaus@rivebendmv.org
Rich Hollett
Chief Strategy and RSS Officer
rhollett@riverbendmv.org

Our Board Members

Louise Griffin
Zack’s Team Foundation
Frank Carvalho
Consultant
William Taylor
Security Consultant
Louie Diaz
Middlesex County Sheriff's Office
Dan Botwinik
Cougar Capital Management
Nancy Van Alst, MBA
Community Teamwork
Amanda Flores, JD
Gallagher and Cavanaugh, LLP, Counselors at Law
Gabriela Bradburn
Lowell General Hospital
Mark Newman, JD
Retired Essex County Juvenile Court
Robin Toof, EdD
University of Massachusetts Lowell

Story of Hope

Through our Stories of Hope, you can hear from people who are in, and who have graduated our programs, and learn more about their stories and their journey of recovery.
GET INVOLVED >
YOUʼRE NOT ALONE

The road back is never
straight forward. We’re here for all of life’s ebbs and flows.

CONTACT US >

Michael's Bio

Michael was born in Boston and moved with his parents to Royalston, Massachusetts (30 miles south of Keene), where his parents bought a small farm and adopted four additional children. Michael attended Wesleyan University in Middletown, Ct, and received a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary in NYC and a Masters of Business Administration from Western Washington University. Michael began working in the nonprofit, human service field as evening staff for a homeless shelter in 1987 and most recently served as the Executive Director for the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter. On Sunday’s, Michael Reinke serves as an ordained priest with Church of Our Saviour in the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. When work or church, you will find him hiking, riding his bike or playing his banjo.
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