(WEST PALM BEACH, FL---) Gratitude House, the 40 year old West Palm Beach-based facility dedicated to treating chemically dependent women, recently hosted its by-invitation Annual Tea on site at the facility.

The open house event was cochaired by Carol Basinger, Pat McDyer and Maggie Christian; past members of the Board of Directors who currently serve as Honorary Board Members. During the tea, guests and community leaders met Gratitude House staff and clients, toured the facilities, and honored this year's heroes for their support and dedication to furthering the mission of this women's treatment center.

Executive Director Gail Dempsey welcomed the guests and introduced West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, a long time supporter of Gratitude House who acknowledged its work and contribution to the community. Dempsey then introduced the honorees: Palm Beach-based dentist, Dr. Mitchell A. Josephs, who has donated dental care and services to several Gratitude House clients; photographer Michael Price, who created a poignant portrait series of women in recovery at Gratitude House that will be on exhibition later this season, and former board members Beverly Robinson and Patricia McDyer, recognized for their many years of volunteer service.

Located at 1700 North Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, Gratitude House provides treatment for women with drug and alcohol dependency issues, as well as parenting classes and life skills that make it possible to live independent, substance-free sober lives. The women are provided with the tools to deal successfully with their addictions and choose a better way of life.

Gratitude House is one of the few facilities in the country that treats pregnant women and women with infants. The " Mothers & Infants in Treatment Together (MITT) program is specifically designed so that newborns and infants can live in residence with their mothers as they receive chemical dependency treatment. Unlike traditional models that ask women to choose between drug treatment and continuing to parent their infants, MITT allows infants to receive therapeutic services concurrent to their mother's treatment.

The mission is to offer rehabilitation and support services with dignity and respect to the chemically dependent female in a nurturing, safe and caring environment. It provides top quality, individualized programs to women in need of help without regard for race, religion, political preference or their personal financial capacity, in a loving, wholesome atmosphere. Its primary purpose is to return such women to society as self-sufficient, productive citizens.

For more information regarding the annual tea event, please call 561-833-6826 ext. 228, or email jonethac@GratitudeHouse.org.