Chuck Lorre Family Foundation Donates $350,000 to Van Ness Recovery House (EXCLUSIVE)
The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation has donated a $350,000 grant to the Van Ness Recovery House in Los Angeles for a comprehensive kitchen renovation.
Founded in 1973, the facility is as an addiction treatment center for individuals from marginalized and LGBTQ communities.
“The kitchen is essential to our mission because recovery is about more than just overcoming addiction—it’s also about preparing for what’s next,” Van Ness Recovery House executive director Kathy Watt said in a statement. “Here, residents learn how to cook nutritious meals, manage budgets and develop job-ready culinary skills. This kitchen gives them practical tools and renewed confidence to thrive when they re-enter society.”
The kitchen renovation includes the installation of commercial-grade ovens and microwaves, walk-in refrigeration, stainless steel food-prep stations, an industrial dishwasher and durable new flooring. The project also encompasses fresh paint, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, enhanced lighting, and an expanded pantry space created by relocating the existing laundry room.
“This kitchen represents far more than new equipment, countertops, tiles or plumbing — it symbolizes possibility, dignity and renewed hope,” Chuck Lorre Family Foundation president and chief giving officer Trisha Cardoso said. “It is a space intentionally designed to nurture teamwork, foster self-confidence and inspire personal transformation — elements central to empowering marginalized communities and supporting individuals on their journey to meaningful and lasting recovery.”
The donation serves as the lead gift for the Van Ness Recovery House’s 2025-2026 capital campaign and aims to inspire additional funding to fully renovate the 1954 structure.
Planned upgrades include renovating the Van Ness Recovery House’s four residential bedrooms; additional bathrooms to complement the three bathrooms already completed; improving meeting rooms; updating the living and dining rooms; enhancing the administrative office and night manager’s quarters; remodeling the basement and adding storage; repairing the roof and adding solar panels; installing a modern security and fire-alarm system; replacing windows with energy-efficient models; repainting the exterior; resurfacing the driveway; and adding drought-tolerant landscaping with low-energy outdoor lighting.
Founded in 1973, the facility is as an addiction treatment center for individuals from marginalized and LGBTQ communities.
“The kitchen is essential to our mission because recovery is about more than just overcoming addiction—it’s also about preparing for what’s next,” Van Ness Recovery House executive director Kathy Watt said in a statement. “Here, residents learn how to cook nutritious meals, manage budgets and develop job-ready culinary skills. This kitchen gives them practical tools and renewed confidence to thrive when they re-enter society.”
The kitchen renovation includes the installation of commercial-grade ovens and microwaves, walk-in refrigeration, stainless steel food-prep stations, an industrial dishwasher and durable new flooring. The project also encompasses fresh paint, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, enhanced lighting, and an expanded pantry space created by relocating the existing laundry room.
“This kitchen represents far more than new equipment, countertops, tiles or plumbing — it symbolizes possibility, dignity and renewed hope,” Chuck Lorre Family Foundation president and chief giving officer Trisha Cardoso said. “It is a space intentionally designed to nurture teamwork, foster self-confidence and inspire personal transformation — elements central to empowering marginalized communities and supporting individuals on their journey to meaningful and lasting recovery.”
The donation serves as the lead gift for the Van Ness Recovery House’s 2025-2026 capital campaign and aims to inspire additional funding to fully renovate the 1954 structure.
Planned upgrades include renovating the Van Ness Recovery House’s four residential bedrooms; additional bathrooms to complement the three bathrooms already completed; improving meeting rooms; updating the living and dining rooms; enhancing the administrative office and night manager’s quarters; remodeling the basement and adding storage; repairing the roof and adding solar panels; installing a modern security and fire-alarm system; replacing windows with energy-efficient models; repainting the exterior; resurfacing the driveway; and adding drought-tolerant landscaping with low-energy outdoor lighting.