19th-Century House Becomes Women's Recovery Home in Middlesex County

Restored historic home provides transitional housing and support services for women battling addiction.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 19th-century house in Middlesex County, Connecticut has been restored and repurposed as Ella's House, a transitional recovery home for women operated by the nonprofit Wings of Hope. The organization provides fully furnished living spaces, employment readiness resources, and telehealth support to help women recover from substance abuse disorders and get back on their feet.

Why it matters

The conversion of this historic home into a recovery center highlights the growing need for dignified transitional housing and comprehensive support services to help those struggling with addiction, especially women facing homelessness. By bridging the past and present, Ella's House aims to provide a sanctuary where women can rebuild their lives.

The details

Ella's House was previously used by a humanitarian nonprofit before being purchased by Wings of Hope in October 2025. The organization has renovated the 1896 home to provide a high-quality living environment for up to 25 women at a time who are transitioning through recovery from substance abuse, including alcoholism and drug addiction. In addition to furnished living spaces, Ella's House offers an on-site office for employment readiness and telehealth resources for ongoing medical and mental health support.

  • The 19th-century house was constructed in 1896.
  • Wings of Hope purchased the property in October 2025.
  • Ella's House currently provides transitional housing for 25 women as part of Wings of Hope's larger network supporting over 100 men and women across the region.

The players

Wings of Hope

A nonprofit organization designed to help women recover from addiction, providing transitional housing and comprehensive support services.

Libby Protzman

Chief of operations at Wings of Hope, whose personal experience with losing her father to a lifelong battle with alcohol inspired her to help others struggling with substance abuse.

Robert Pace

Director of Wings of Hope, who named the restored home 'Ella's House' in honor of his daughter and Protzman's mother.

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What they’re saying

“I know if I can just touch one life, he's smiling down at me, proud of me.”

— Libby Protzman, Chief of Operations, Wings of Hope (nbcconnecticut.com)

“We believe that anyone who has a higher calling to long-term recovery and wants to change their life around deserves to have a nice place to live.”

— Libby Protzman, Chief of Operations, Wings of Hope (nbcconnecticut.com)

What’s next

Wings of Hope plans to continue expanding its network of transitional recovery homes and support services across Middlesex and Hartford counties to help more women in need.

The takeaway

By restoring a historic 19th-century house and transforming it into a dignified recovery home, Wings of Hope is providing a vital lifeline for women battling addiction and homelessness in the region. This innovative approach highlights the power of community-based solutions to address complex social issues.