Our Founder
Sarah Coupe
Founder & Director
Grace House for Women
A nationally known leader and ideator in women's recovery, Sarah Coupe is the Founder and Director of Grace House for Women, the first managed women's recovery residence established in 2010 located in Portland, Maine. She is a mother, wife, breast cancer survivor, and avid outdoor enthusiast. Sarah has devoted her life to helping others, enriching her recovery and allowing her the privilege to help other women on their journey.
Sarah has a degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services and specializes in the practical application of the 12-Step program into daily living. Sarah is also a founding member of the
Maine Association of Recovery Residences (MARR)
and serves on the board of directors. MARR's mission is to promote ethical and sustainable management of high-quality recovery residences throughout the State of Maine according to the national standards set by the
National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR). Grace House for Women is a certified
Level III Recovery Residence by NARR.
Sarah is trained in Contemplative Spiritual Direction through
The Alcyon Center
and a member of
Spiritual Directors International
since Fall 2018. She is also trained in
Non-Violent, Empathic Communication
to help guide women in changing their negative, critical inner voice and improve the practice of facilitating twelve step groups. Inspired by the latest evidenced-based clinical research on how to heal the brain after addiction and trauma using
Interpersonal Neurobiology, Sarah employs these methods in working with women to assist them in finding their truth and the courage to speak it.
Sarah has over 10 years experience working with women of all ages to develop a healthy, structured, and spiritual program of recovery. She actively consults legislators, public officials, medical practitioners, and scores of others to combat the opioid crisis and craft sound, humane policies that benefit the community at large. For more information about Sarah, please contact us today.
2018 Community Addiction Leader of the Year
Sarah Coupe was named Community Addiction Leader of the Year at Crossroads for Womens' 5th Annual Community Awards Breakfast on May 23rd, 2018.
Sarah was honored as one of six courageous members of the addiction recovery community who are helping to end the shame and stigma around substance use disorders.
From the Speech
"... I simply hold the lantern of my own experience to light the difficult path we walk together."
Over ten years ago, I was lonely and hopeless, lost without a sense of identity or purpose. Lucky for me, my family, friends and this community led me out of the darkness of despair by getting me connected with the help required to start a new life and cheering me on through my arduous journey..
My healing was a long process and Crossroads certainly played a crucial part in it. They gave my children and me a safe, structured place to kick-start my sobriety and learn a lot about my disease. I am truly grateful for their continued service to women in need.
I eventually realized though that clinical treatment could only get me so far – I could not build self-esteem from a discussion group –it must come the old-fashioned way – through hard work and learning to cope with life as it comes. My recovery also required a spiritual transformation where I became less selfish and more considerate of the welfare of those around me.
As I completed acts of service, I felt accomplished and positivity and hope seeped into my conscience, diminishing the incessant, debilitating negative self-talk. My actions expanded as I sought to replace the highs from substances with a more meaningful, profound spiritual uplift where I became more connected and useful to my community. Shame left me.
Eventually, I wanted to empower other women and help them attain their own enlightenment by setting the structure of a program around recovery work and volunteerism. I now have the privilege to watch the lights flicker on in their souls as they restore hope for their futures through service. I simply hold the lantern of my own experience to light the difficult path we walk together.
We strive to assist in many ways, helping regularly at the Root Cellar, community churches, Day One, Crossroads, the Red Cross, Winslow Farm and others. These contributions have created opportunities for conversations about who we are, why we are there and how it helps us to recover more than it aids those being served.
I believe the stigma of addiction is reduced through these interactions, where a living example of transformation is experienced. I know it can inspire someone who has lost their way to feel understood enough to ask for help. It can also transform the contempt for a suffering individual into compassion and hope for a fellow human with unrealized potential.
All of this is my dream. It is also my reality and it is the BEST HIGH EVER!
