While looking for ways to help others following the death of her son, Harrison, in August 2023, Newtown resident Lynne Farah volunteered for various causes around town before stumbling onto a new mission.

While volunteering at FAITH Food Pantry, a fellow volunteer was trying to get rid of some of her husband’s old suits. After four hours on the phone looking for a place for the suits, Farah spoke with Dorrie Carolan, executive director of Parent Connection.

For many years, Carolan had wanted to open a boutique for those transitioning from treatment to the “working” world. Together, she and Farah made that vision become real.

Thus was born the House of Harrison, a “new beginnings boutique” that helps individuals seeking employment while transitioning from treatment, sober living, and group homes.

“We will be offering clothing, shoes, jewelry, and resume guidance to prepare people for the best stage of their lives, recovery,” Farah stated in promotional material for the House of Harrison. “We wanted to keep his spirit of helping others alive.”

Patients leaving sober living treatment often find themselves with nothing but the clothes on their backs because they leave everything behind before entering treatment. The House of Harrison offers items to help those people get back on their feet and return to their regular lives in a manner that helps them stay sober.

“We were able to put it under the umbrella for Parent Connection,” said Carolan. “Patients can come out of sober living, come here, and get ready for the business world.”

Parent Connection is to “educate and empower our community in the prevention of substance abuse and to embrace families in crisis” as well as “prevent the use of drugs and alcohol among our youth” according to promotional material for Parent Connection.

Parent Connection has contracts with various treatment facilities in Connecticut and can set up appointments for patients to visit The House of Harrison for resources. The House of Harrison had already helped four patients as of the end of February.

Located in the Parent Connection building on the Fairfield Hills Campus, 2 Washington Square, The House of Harrison has moved beyond the first load of clothing it opened with on January 2. A clothing drive to bring in additional items to offer was so successful that Farah said her garage is currently full, and donations for items of clothing are currently closed.

“It’s crazy, but everyone has been amazing,” said Farah.

What the House of Harrison is still seeking is monetary donations, as well as electronics such as laptops and tablets.

Farah also maintains an Amazon wishlist at amazon.com/registries.

For more information, visit ctparentconnection.org.