How do you reclaim people who have suffered from a life of addiction and restore them to productive, Christlike service in society?
At His Way, one of the answers is work! Why would work be so important?
Our residents’ addictive behavior has diminished their ability to have meaningful and consistent employment. This is why we place a strong emphasis on working in our program.
In the beginning of their third month here, the men need to locate a job and begin working. Employment helps them grow in confidence as they take responsibility to pay for their recovery. It also helps them learn how to manage and save their money.
How Do People in Recovery Get to and from Work?
Throughout the program, we provide all the residents’ transportation in the program whether it is going to work, appointments, court dates, or probation visits. To accomplish this, we have a fleet of 10 vehicles and a crew of drivers who take the men to and from all of their obligations.
It requires a tremendous amount of scheduling, coordination, and fuel to get 30+ people to where they need to go on a daily basis. On average, we drive our residents to their obligations approximately 3000 miles per week.
Can Men in the Program Have Their Own Vehicles?
As a rule, we do not allow our residents to use their own cars while in the program. We believe this rule is crucial for their recovery.
Unfortunately, people who struggle with addiction live impulsive lives devoid of any oversight. When they come here, we begin to teach them how to be responsible and accountable.
Taking residents to and from work helps them with their accountability. That’s why they can’t leave their jobs without us picking them up.
One benefit of this rule is that it helps keep them from going back to old places where their recovery could be compromised. Another benefit is that residents get to ride together, which reinforces a sense of community.
What Kind of Jobs Do People in Recovery Get?
Thanks to our partners, our residents find a variety of jobs. Some of our main partners who employ our residents are Rogers Group, Huntsville Country Club, Parton Contracting, and The Saving Way Thrift Stores.
For the most part, our residents work in labor and construction. However, some work in site surveying, dental labs, meal preparation, and the hotel industry. We’re proud to share that some of our residents advance in their jobs to gain supervisory and managerial roles.
As another rule, His Way only allows residents to work days as they have classes and responsibilities in the evenings.
Do the Men at His Way Have the Opportunity to Take Leadership Roles in the Program?
During the first nine months, residents are not given specific leadership roles but receive the opportunity to serve and distinguish themselves.
If they stay for our three-month Advanced Recovery Group (ARG), they commit themselves to be servant leaders and receive greater responsibilities. Some of their responsibilities include teaching classes, running events, assisting wherever needed, and checking to make sure that the evening chores are done. People who go through ARG are usually considered for open staff positions.
Some of our former residents are now directors, campus leaders, and house managers.
Restoring Men to Productive Service
Restoring men to productive, Christlike service in society means:
- Giving them the opportunity to find meaningful employment
- Teaching them how to manage their money
- Equipping them to take responsibility and pay for their own recovery
- Developing their servant hearts
All of this requires a lot of structure, coordination, transportation, and training.
The end result is that our residents live with greater purpose in their lives and are able to make a positive contribution to the community they live and work in.
Written by Mike Ross, Program Director at His Way Recovery Center