Alex Ray, Founder of Webster Place
Alex Ray, a New Hampshire entrepreneur and owner of the Common Man family of restaurants, got wind of a large historic property, the Daniel Webster Homestead in Franklin NH, that was in danger of being razed for development. He acquired the property in 2007 with conservation easements and made a commitment to invest in the hope of reaching people who had a desire to overcome alcohol and drug abuse and dependence.
Alex asked friends and other people from the recovery community to help and, later in 2007, a board was formed and Webster Place, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit. The center was opened to service in early 2008.
It is his compassion, investment, and courage that have brought us to a common table, to bring this vision to life -- to grow into a alcohol and drug addiction recovery center that makes a difference in the lives of all who come here.
"I'm not a philanthropist. I'm trying to build a business model that says you can grow a self-sustaining business and do it by giving back," Ray says.
His passion for founding and developing a recovery center for alcoholics and addicts is based on his personal experiences with addiction and the realization that affordable, accessible recovery options were diminishing in the state of New Hampshire.
Alex's creativity and rallying of resources along with his contagious energy resulted in a place of healing unlike any other.
The countless volunteers and craftsmen who jumped in too deserve a lot of credit for their dedication, commitment, resources and help.
Watch a video encapsulating Alex's original vision for Webster Place.
