For the newer members of the JIBC family, we operate a Transition House for women coming out of the Charleston Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center. We opened it because it was ranked as the number one unmet need in Charleston. We are still the only Transition House in Charleston doing what we do. Hard to believe right?
The very nature of the Transition House Ministry is change. Since JIBC has opened the house, we have had 30 residents come through our ministry. We measure success in two ways. First, we offer opportunity to come to a safe place to work on their sobriety, sanity and serenity. The second way we measure success is by how hard they work on #1. It is after all, their sobriety and their life. We provide opportunity but they have to work their program.
We just welcomed a new resident last week. That fills the house with three women. That is the limit. We have one baby in the house but all three of them have children that will occasionally visit. What a beautiful sight that is! On occasion someone will ask about how the women “get to come to the house”. So, let me share the process.
First, they have to submit an application and then receive the information package about our Program and ministry. Second, they have to successfully finish their time at the Charleston Center and must have earned the status of “Mentor” at the center; showing their willingness, ability and desire to succeed. Third, they must attend Celebrate Recovery a minimum of four times so they can know who we are and we can get to know them. Fourth, they must be recommended to our program by their counselor to be considered. Fifth, our CR small group women’s leader needs to know them and have a positive recommendation. Sixth, they are interviewed, whenever possible, by the current residents since they will be living together. Seventh, if they have successfully completed these first steps, then they have an intensive final interview with me. The Eighth and final step is to do an official SLED background check.
I share this process because from the outside it may look like we just randomly decide who gets in and who does not. It is a very thorough process.
As always, thank you for your prayers and support. Our Celebrate Recovery Ministry is making a difference. By the way, we are looking to furnish the little upstairs apartment. We need sofas chairs, tables, lamps. We have all the bedding we need.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing,
Pastor Tom
