Recovery

In addition to meeting the immediate physical needs of the homeless and the hungry, we provide something even more valuable.  Hope.

We teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We see its power in transforming lives on a daily basis. As our participants begin to experience care and acceptance along with the power of the Gospel they begin to see that they can live better lives.  That there is hope tomorrow.

Our recovery programs include:

Biblically Based Counseling – The Word of God is the guideline that is followed to show people the way out of their problems and back to God.  We address the root problems of Homelessness and have a proven track records of success.

Educational Program – Our tutorial program helps provide educational foundations necessary to obtain a G.E.D.  Job skill classes are also available.

Medical Center

James A Arbuckle Medical Clinic

Established in 1993 with a donation from the late James Arbuckle, a long-time supporter of the Mission, the Washington City Mission Arbuckle Medical Clinic provides free preventive, primary, and urgent health care to the Washington City Mission’s ninety-three residents and many other homeless and uninsured neighbors in our community. The Clinic works interdependently with all services offered at the Washington City Mission and cooperatively with community agencies and institutions such as assisted-care homes, addiction treatment centers, the Veterans Administration, and The Washington Hospital.

The Clinic Coordinator is a registered nurse possessing excellent credentials and references, but is also a medical advocate committed to serving our community’s homeless and impoverished neighbors. As the Mission’s daily caregiver, the Clinic Coordinator provides medical evaluation, treatment, supervision, and referrals for numerous patients; administers the complete operations of the Clinic office; and directs the generosity of a dozen volunteer nurses and physicians.

THE LEGAL CLINIC

Of the 590 homeless people who stayed at the City Mission last year, 95 of them reported active court cases, probation, parole, and Protection from Abuse Orders upon arriving at the Mission. That’s more than 16% of our clients, and it still doesn’t even begin to account for many of the serious legal issues facing those who sought help at The Legal Clinic this past year – cases that have included  landlord/tenant injustices, child custody, debt collection, unpaid fines, outstanding warrants, divorce, Children and Youth Services, DUI, etc.

Our contention is that a majority of our residents face a complexity of legal issues that contribute to their current circumstances and create significant barriers to independent living – all of which add to the stresses of seeking recovery and restoration.

The Legal Clinic (TLC) seeks to eliminate those barriers by providing Samaritan legal services based on Biblical principles to City Mission residents to empower them to change their world, as part of their recovery and restoration to independent living.  (Luke 10:25-37)

Goals of The Legal Clinic:

• Provide legal advice and counsel to residents in need;
• Develop a diverse pool of expert attorneys;
• Build rapport with legal community and court system.

COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT THERAPY (C.E.T.)

CET is an effective treatment developed at the University of Pittsburgh that is having a profound impact on persons with cognitive and social disabilities.  This enhancement of cognitive ability is accomplished in three ways:

1.       48 weekly computer sessions addressing Cognitive Disabilities utilizing computer software developed for brain injured persons that literally increases attention, processing speed, memory and problem solving functions in the brain.

2.        48 weekly group sessions addressing Social Disabilities by helping clients gain the understanding of what it takes to be socially wise and vocationally effective.

3.       48 weekly individual coaching sessions assisting the client in understanding and incorporating his learning into their daily life. 

This combined treatment has shown that, given the information and treatment, mentally ill clients are capable of compensating for many of their disabilities and regaining some of their social and vocational functioning.  We believe CET has the potential to help those we serve not return to the City Mission over and over again as clients but as successful alumni.

Rationale for helping City Mission Clients:  Persons in residence at the City Mission suffer from severe mental illness, chemical addiction, varied combinations of those problems, multiple relapse, time(s) spent incarcerated, histories of abuse, abandonment and isolation; and functional and vocational disabilities.  These persons demonstrate varying but significant levels of functional disability based on poor work histories and the inability to sustain a viable, normal lifestyle in the community.  Many of our clients cycle through the City Mission treatment program as well as other treatment programs again and again, indicating that they need help they are not yet receiving.

Samaritan Care Services

Many of our residents require furniture when they exit our program. In order to make their new apartment a home, we give them furniture, food, clothing and other household necesseties out of our Samaritan Care Center. This service is also available to victims of natural disaster (flood, fire) and any other person in the community with a documented need.