PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
The program philosophy is simple: It is based on the belief that people can change.
The Samaritan Inn provides a structured, six to eighteen-month, program that utilizes evidence-based practices including:
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Motivational Interviewing
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Stages of Change
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Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP)
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the Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) recovery principles
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Action Behavior Consequence
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Brainstorming and Critical Thinking
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These practices are combined with the self-help models of the NA / AA, 12-step program and community participation along with reinforcing activities of daily living and skills to transition into employment, family and community
The Samaritan Inn believes that:
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People can change and change is a process
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Permanent change comes from within
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Self-sufficiency comes from empowerment and responsible internal direction
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Strength is realized through a holistic approach
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Each person has innate value to the world
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Each person possesses gifts to be recognized and great potentials to be realized
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Recovery is a spiritual process
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Twelve step programs provide the most appropriate process for recovery
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The most effective motivation comes from respect and belief in the person
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There is power for positive change through group consensus and peer support
The Samaritan Inn is a place:
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To create a space where our hope begins in growth and recovery.
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To loose ourselves from self destructive patterns that have held us back.
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To explore new opportunities by setting goals.
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To confront the conflict within by honest sharing and being open to positive direction.
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To begin the process of self-discovery.
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To deal in a supportive environment with others who are walking the same path and learning new ways of living.
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To build foundations for better lives through healthy relationships, stability and community living.
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To cooperatively live as part of a family by working together though unity, and shared responsibilities.
… is this not a sacred space
Nunc Coepi – “Now I begin”
(Nothing to it, but do it).
PROGRAM DETAILS
Upon entry, each resident works with staff to establish individualized goals designed to overcome the obstacles to permanent, independent living in recovery. Each resident is required to work, and pay a small program fee, maintain his own living area, share the cooking and cleaning responsibilities, participate in a life skills curriculum, substance abuse education, case management and community volunteer activities.
With recovery at the forefront the program at the Samaritan Inn helps to guide a man toward the goals he wants to achieve. Upon completion of the program a man is fully immersed in recovery, is employed with a job that will provide for all of his needs and has attained safe housing that he can afford and is fully under his control. Upon graduation the Samaritan Inn will offer up to $1000.00 in transitional fees.
LIFE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
All residents receive the opportunity to enhance (and in some cases obtain) life skills necessary for successful independent living. These life skills are holistic, as they contemplate the entire person and range from personal to the larger group. Life skills are incorporated into the daily, weekly, and monthly routines at the Samaritan Inn and range from program service fee payments to recovery expectations. Each resident has assigned chores to complete, both personally and for the house. These include: responsibility for one's bedroom, laundry and self, as well as cleanliness of “public" spaces, both indoors and out.
These chores and responsibilities not only provide opportunities for individual skill development but serve to increase residents' sense of community, as they must negotiate, adapt, and balance personal needs with those of the group. Life Skills Development is centered around the concept that each resident must manage his own recovery while fulfilling employment, education, personal, and other responsibilities necessary for successful independent living.
RECOVERY SUPPORT
If one goal is to be the foundation of all other goals in this program it is to be sustained recovery. As addiction is a primary disease, recovery from addiction is a sine qua non for the attainment of all other goals.
The primacy of this goal is stressed above all resident goals. It comes before a job, a relationship, an education, a car or even family. In some cases, residents have lost these due to the behaviors of addiction.
Most residents express as a reason for wanting to come to the Samaritan Inn: "It is a safe and secure place where people do not use drugs or alcohol and where they can find support and guidance for recovery." The source and order of guidance and support is: the 12 step recovery program and sponsor second, the staff and director third and the residents forth.
Residents normally enter the program going to four and five AA/NA meetings a week. Continuing this rate of attendance is expected. Working the 12 steps with a sponsor is essential and lays the groundwork for a life of recovery.
WEEKLY ROUNDTABLE
Weekly Roundtable meetings are held each Tuesday for 1.5 hours from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The purpose for this meeting is to generate community to reduce isolation, to promote the ideals of recovery, and to address individual issues as they arise.
Roundtable is designed around two essential elements necessary for recovery:
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Healthy social interactions
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Critical thinking
RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
The residents identified the following list of responsibilities:
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Remain in recovery
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Learn new behaviors and thought processes to help further recovery.
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Attend NA/AA meetings on a regular basis.
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Do the next right thing.
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Make at least a 6-month commitment to stay at the Samaritan Inn.
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Set realistic goals that can be met before I transition out.
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Represent myself in an orderly manor because my actions reflect that of the Inn.
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Find myself a long-term career, with a GED or college degree.
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Repay all my debts.
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Obtain a driver’s license, and ultimately possess a vehicle.
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Practice love, tolerance, honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness.
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Respect myself as well as the other residents of the Samaritan Inn.
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Make myself open to the suggestions from my house mates.
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Show genuine concern towards issues related to other house mates whether personal or recovery oriented.
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Seek counseling in order to receive individual attention for my areas of need.
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Attend group workshops conducted by a substance abuse counselor.
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Get involved in volunteer work in order to give back what I have gotten.
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Participate in some form of recreation on a regular basis.
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Cook for the guys 1 week (during chore rotation), weekly chores, and participate in the mandatory house meetings.
PROGRAM COMPLETION
A resident completes the program and graduates when he has resided at the Inn for a period of no less than six months and has accomplished the most important of his goals. This must include a recovery lifestyle, employment and a permanent housing arrangement.
Upon graduation a resident is eligible for Transition Assistance up to $1,000.00 in reimbursable expense for:
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Payment of the housing rental deposit
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First month’s rent
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Other deposits
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A month’s phone cost and
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A month’s cable fees