Denise Holden
Denise Holden MHS, ICDAC is the founder and CEO of The RASE Project regional Recovery Community Organization serving Central Pennsylvania. Denise holds a Master’s Degree in Human Services, an undergraduate degree in Sociology, and is a Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC). She is a member of numerous steering committees throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is currently serving on the state’s Overdose Taskforce. Denise has worked in the field of addictions since 1984 and uses that experience designing innovative programs, recovery and treatment approaches, and new projects in Recovery Community Organizations.
As a person in long-term recovery, Denise understands the importance of upholding the rights of recovering people and recognizes the many positive aspects of recovery despite the stigma often associated with recovery and active addiction. In June 2014, at America Honors Recovery in Washington DC, Denise received the Dr. Vernon Johnson award as one of the country’s most influential recovery community leaders to the growing movement to promote the reality of recovery from addiction. In 2009 Denise was selected to participate in the inaugural Women’s Addiction Services Leadership Institute sponsored by SAMHSA.
The RASE Project has received a number of honors, including the 2010 SAAS and NIATx iAward given to leading innovators in Behavioral Healthcare Services and the COMCARE 2011 Model Program of the Year Award for the RASE Buprenorphine Coordinator Program. The RASE Project continues to be one of the country’s leading Recovery Community Organizations.