Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Straight & Narrow Inc

EIN 22-6012277 · Paterson, NJ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

STRAIGHT AND NARROW (S&N) DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS QUALITY INTEGRATED STRAIGHT AND NARROW PROGRAM, PATERSON AND COMPREHENSIVE SPECIALIZED HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND PREVENTION SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY. OUR EXPERIENCED AND HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL STAFF PROVIDE INNOVATIVE AND COMPASSIONATE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS, PROMOTE HEALTHY COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN, AND ENCOURAGE FAMILY PARTICIPATION AND SUPPORT ENSURING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ALL OF OUR SERVICES. OUR STRENGTH LIES IN OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT TO CHANGE AS CARE DELIVERY AND COMMUNITY HUMAN SERVICES NEEDS REQUIRE. AS A COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDER, WE REMAIN ATTENTIVE TO THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF THOSE WE SERVE THROUGH EDUCATION, OUTREACH, AND VARIOUS PROGRESSIVE PRACTICES. STRAIGHT AND NARROW IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMMUNITY SERVED.

Income
$30.5 million
Spending
$18.0 million
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
13.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 69%
Employees
260
Volunteers
3
Highest pay
$237,005, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 97% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 41% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (mental health, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (4)
  1. $12.9 million spent. TREATMENT:ALPHA/DISMAS: LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS PROVIDING SUBSTANCE USE AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR ADULT MALE AND FEMALE CLIENTS INCLUDING CLIENTS WHO ARE ON MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, PREGNANT WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND INMATE AND PAROLEE CLIENTS IN THE DRUG COURT AND MUTUAL AGREEMENT PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION, A COMPREHENSIVE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL/SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT, CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING ALONG WITH DIDACTIC GROUPS, 12-STEP AND RELAPSE PREVENTION EDUCATION ON-SITE AA/NA MEETINGS AND PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT IF INDICATED. GED CLASSES, WORK READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. 24-HOUR MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING ARE ALSO PROVIDED.MSGR. WALL SOCIAL SERVICES CENTER: THE CENTER PROVIDES OPIATE REPLACEMENT TREATMENT UTILIZING METHADONE DETOXIFICATION AND MAINTENANCE ALONG WITH INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING, AND MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.OUTPATIENT TREATMENT FOR ADULT MEN AND WOMEN: CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH SUBSTANCE USE AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT ON AN OUTPATIENT AND INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT LEVEL OF CARE. TREATMENT INCLUDES A COMPREHENSIVE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL/SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT, INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING ALONG WITH DIDACTIC GROUPS, 12-STEP AND RELAPSE PREVENTION EDUCATION AND HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING. DAY AND EVENING APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE.O'CONNOR HALL HALFWAY HOUSE: HALFWAY HOUSE RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM PROVIDING SUBSTANCE USE AND CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FOR ADULT MALES DRUG COURT CLIENTS INCLUDING CLIENTS WHO ARE ON MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT. IN ADDITION A COMPREHENSIVE BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL/SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT, CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING ALONG WITH DIDACTIC GROUPS, PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT IF INDICATED. GED CLASSES, WORK READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. FUNDED BY THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES (DMHAS).DETOXIFICATION HOSPITAL: THIS IS A 26 BED STATE-LICENSED RESIDENTIAL DETOXIFICATION UNIT FOR ADULT MALES AND FEMALES. IN ADDITION TO MEDICALLY SUPERVISED DETOXIFICATION CLIENTS, CLIENTS RECEIVE INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP FAMILY COUNSELING AND DIDACTIC GROUPS INCLUDING RELAPSE PREVENTION AND GROUPS ON ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND OTHER DRUGS ALONG WITH ON-SITE AA/NA GROUPS. CLIENTS WITH A DUAL DIAGNOSIS AND THOSE ON MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT ARE ACCEPTED. PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION IS AVAILABLE. ENHANCED DETOXIFICATION SERVICES SUCH, AS BENZODIAZEPINE DETOXIFICATION IS ALSO AVAILABLE.ALPHA II: THIS IS A LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM PROVIDING SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR ADULT FEMALE CLIENTS INCLUDING THOSE WHO MAY BE ON MEDICATION-ASSISTED TREATMENT. IN ADDITION TO CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY AND PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSESSMENT, CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING ALONG WITH DIDACTIC GROUPS, 12-STEP AND RELAPSE PREVENTION EDUCATION ON-SITE AA/NA MEETINGS AND PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT IF INDICATED. GED CLASSES, WORK READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING ARE ALSO PROVIDED.PASSAIC COUNTY: FUNDING IS PROVIDED FOR THREE DETOXIFICATION BEDS AND FOUR SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT BEDS FOR PASSAIC COUNTY RESIDENTS AS WELL AS PART OF THE PREVENTION BUDGET.
  2. $60,700 spent. CHILD CARE CENTERS:LA VIDA CHILD CARE CENTER TOO: THIS PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO CHILDREN AGED BIRTH THROUGH FOUR YEARS UNDER THE ABBOTT PROGRAM.LA VIDA CHILD CARE CENTER III: THIS PROVIDES EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION TO CHILDREN AGED BIRTH THROUGH FOUR YEARS WITH FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
  3. $2.1 million spent. OTHER ANCILLARY SERVICES:FAMILY SUCCESS CENTER (FCS): THIS IS A PART OF A MULTI-ORGANIZATION COALITION THAT PROVIDES PRIMARY AND SECONDARY PREVENTION SERVICES TO THE PATERSON COMMUNITY. SERVICES INCLUDE DEVELOPMENT OF "FAMILY SUCCESS" PLANS, ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY/EMPLOYMENT RELATED SERVICES, INFORMATION AND REFERRALS TO VARIOUS SERVICES (MATERNAL HEALTH, MEDICAL CARE, ETC.), LIFE SKILLS TRAINING (BUDGETING,NUTRITION, ETC.), PARENT EDUCATION, FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND ADVOCACY.ADULT MEDICAL DAY CARE/ RYAN WHITE: HIV+ CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED SERVICES SUCH AS PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE; DIETARY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SERVICES; CASE MANAGEMENT; INDIVIDUAL/GROUP SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING; TRANSPORTATION TO APPOINTMENTS; SOCIAL SERVICE ADVOCACY AND TWO MEALS A DAY. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
  4. $2.2 million spent. HOUSING SERVICES:S&N APARTMENTS: THIS SITE PROVIDES 23 ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENTS FOR LOW-INCOME PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS WITH RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.S&N APARTMENTS II: LOCATED HERE ARE 50 EFFICIENCY APARTMENTS FOR HOMELESS PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS WITH ON-SITE SOCIAL SERVICE ADVOCACY AND CASE MANAGEMENT.LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL MOTHERS AND CHILDREN: THIS LONG TERM RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM PROVIDES SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR ADULT CLIENTS INCLUDING CLIENTS WHO ARE ON MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT, PREGNANT WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE CUSTODY OF DIVISION OF CHILD PROTECTION AND PERMANENCY. IN ADDITION TO A COMPREHENSIVE BIO-PSYCHOSOCIAL/ SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENT, CLIENTS ARE PROVIDED WITH INDIVIDUAL, GROUP AND FAMILY COUNSELING ALONG WITH DIDACTIC GROUPS, 12-STEP AND RELAPSE PREVENTION EDUCATION ON-SITE AA/NA MEETINGS AND PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT IF INDICATED. GED CLASSES, WORK READINESS AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. 24 HOUR MEDICAL SUPERVISION AND HIV COUNSELING AND TESTING ARE ALSO PROVIDED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Worth knowing.

    Not individually listed by the IRS as eligible, which is usual for local chapters covered by a parent organization's exemption. The master file records contributions to it as deductible.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1946.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.