We are to point 3 in the four R’s description of the programs and services at our shelters. Again, they are:
- Rescue
- Restoration
- Rehabilitation
- Reintegration
Rehabilitation takes on many forms, but the most prevalent need we see is that of addiction recovery. If you Google Homelessness and Addiction, the statistical numbers come in around 38%. That is, over a third of all homeless individuals suffer from a substance abuse disorder. My experience has been that it is much higher. And when you add untreated or undiagnosed mental illness as a co-occurring condition, it is no wonder our streets and shelters are full of hurting and hopeless people.
This is why we are so committed to our New Beginnings Program. This 13-month residential program for men and women addresses the physical and spiritual aspects of addiction and prepares them to enter or re-enter the workforce. The participants attend classes and Bible studies, receive mentoring and counseling, and assist in the day-to-day operations of the shelters through work therapy. Our dedicated staff work hard to restore paperwork, ID’s, and driver’s licenses. Many of the men and women are court ordered into the programs and have criminal histories. We work with judges, attorneys, parole and probation in order to clear .up any outstanding warrants or lingering legal issues. For some of them, it is their last second chance.
All this is offered free of charge and just like the rest of our services, they aren’t required to be a Christian to participate. However, they will hear what the Bible has to say about restoration and the role Jesus plays in changing our lives. We believe that the reason our programs are so successful is because we use the Word of God as our main curriculum.
Our foundational verse is Romans 12:2 which says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.” A transformed mind leads to a surrendered will.
We believe it is possible for people to change. Even if they have been caught up in a lifetime of drug or alcohol use, God can give them victory over it.
