Lukas Judge is a talented artist living independently in Needham — close enough to walk to Riverside’s Elliot House Clubhouse, an employment and recovery center that he calls a second home. But finding stability took decades of perseverance through some of life’s most difficult challenges.
Lukas’ mental health challenges began when he was in middle school. He faced severe bullying, leading to his first suicide attempt and subsequent hospitalization. Returning to school after that experience, he found that his friendships had evaporated.
“None of my friends would talk to me,” Lukas recalls. “High school was very hard and I barely graduated.”
As Lukas transitioned to adulthood, his struggles continued. Diagnosed with complex PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and a history of substance use, he was hospitalized more than 100 times over the years. The stays were short, but frequent.
Recognizing that the cycle wasn’t sustainable, Lukas advocated for a move into a group home, where he could develop the executive functioning skills and daily living routines that would help him break the pattern of repeated hospitalizations. The new setting proved beneficial, and Lukas was able to continue his recovery journey outside of a hospital.
A Safe, Supportive Community
Before coming to Elliot House, Lukas attended Riverside Day Treatment in Newton. When that program closed due to budget reasons, many participants — including Lukas — transitioned to Elliot House Clubhouse, and for him, it was a natural fit.
“The people at Elliot House are like my second family,” he says. Through daily connection, meaningful work, and opportunities to contribute, Lukas found the sense of belonging that had often been missing from his life. “I struggle with agoraphobia, but the Clubhouse is one place I go to and truly feel safe.”
One of Lukas’ favorite aspects of the Clubhouse is the opportunity to flex his creative muscles. Art has been instrumental in his healing, and he especially enjoys creating cards that the Clubhouse sends to members and their families for birthdays, losses, and other occasions. These crafts bring Clubhouse members together and reinforce the connections that support recovery.
At home, he creates graphic art inspired by photographs of graffiti, transforming street imagery into layered digital compositions.
“I have always enjoyed working alongside Lukas,” says Steve Chaffee, Elliot House Program Director. “It’s amazing to see his growth and progress. Elliot House is so proud to have Lukas as a member and will forever appreciate his works of art featured throughout our program.”
Dual Recovery Anonymous Makes a Difference
Lukas has also found support through Elliot House’s Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA) program, which is designed specifically for people navigating both mental health and substance use challenges. Unlike some traditional programs, DRA features peer support services and openly welcomes conversations about mental health, medication, and co-occurring conditions. By connecting with people managing similar challenges and leaning on DRA resources, Lukas found the strength to enter long-term sustained recovery.
After more than three years of sobriety, Lukas took a DRA leadership training and impressed his instructors. He now co-leads weekly recovery groups — a role that DRA leaders approached him about directly. He routinely receives positive feedback from his group and takes pride in helping people along their substance use journeys. Today, Lukas’ goals are grounded and clear: maintain stability, nurture emotional sobriety, and give his two cats (Willow and Luciana) the best lives possible. There’s no doubt that his cats — and the Elliot House community — are lucky to have him.
