STEPHENS PLACE
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Mission Statement
MISSION STATEMENT: Stephen’s Place believes that men coming out of prison should have a safe, spiritual environment in order to address early recovery from substance abuse as well as develop personal life skills. Therefore, Stephen’s Place provides a Half-Way House to help these men transition back into the community as productive citizens. Stephen’s Place provides services to approximately 12-15 men during the year. Given this small number, Stephen’s Place residents receive the optimum opportunity to reintegrate back into society with a sense of self-worth, improved self-esteem and feeling of confidence. Stephen’s Place program of “reintegration” functions on the principal of empowering residents to internalize a strong recovery program and to learn and improve basic life skills. We provide a variety of services to address their dysfunctional lifestyles by teaching them a new way to live.
About This Cause
STEPHEN’S PLACE Stephen’s Place, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been restoring lives by breaking the cycle of addiction since 1994. Sr. Virginia Longcope has been the founder, guide, and inspiration for Stephen’s Place since its beginning. It is her vision that built the foundation for the important work that Stephen’s Place accomplishes with men who have problems of addiction and backgrounds of crime and imprisonment. The story of Stephen’s Place begins in South Carolina during the 1980s. At the time, Sr. Virginia was working with the South Carolina Department of Corrections as a social worker. She met a twenty-year-old man named Stephen. He was eligible for parole and needed a place to live following prison. Sr. Virginia found him an apartment and helped begin the process of his transition back into society. At the time of his release from prison, Stephen had no family support and no transportation to and from his minimum wage job. He didn’t even have any furniture for his apartment. It was not long before Stephen’s dream of success evaporated into feelings of hopelessness, depression, and an inability to cope with daily living. In the midst of Stephen’s struggle, a seed was sown in Sr. Virginia to pursue the founding of a home for men with substance abuse problems who are in need of help transitioning to society from prison. The home would be known as Stephen’s Place. The inspiration came from Stephen, the young man she had helped, and St. Stephen, a deacon in the early church that was imprisoned and martyred. With little other than her vision and organizational skills, Sr. Virginia came to Pennsylvania, and Stephen’s Place was founded. The year was 1993. She obtained the assistance of a number of people who identified with her vision and who agreed to work with her in establishing a home in the Bethlehem area of Pennsylvania. Many of these early supporters would soon become the Board of Directors of Stephen’s Place. In April 1993, Stephen’s Place was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the State of Pennsylvania. The Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart gave Sr. Virginia a loan to help buy a house in South Bethlehem, where Stephen’s Place is today. To make the house a home, it was necessary to totally renovate it. The renovations and design for the house called for living spaces for five residents and separate quarters for Sr. Virginia. It was also necessary to have the property of Stephen’s Place legally re-zoned as a home for non-related family members. This was accomplished with the assistance of an attorney, working pro bono with Sr. Virginia. At this time, Sr. Virginia also needed to determine what the criteria would be for those selected for treatment at Stephen’s Place. After consultation with experts in the fields of corrections and addiction, it was Sr. Virginia’s decision that her emphasis should be on non-violent offenders who had histories of alcohol and drug abuse. In October of 1994, the first occupants of Stephen’s Place took up residence. The mission was clear. Stephen’s Place would provide residential supportive services to non-violent adult males leaving prison with histories of substance abuse. Although the mission was clear, the challenge ahead was daunting. Crime statistics reveal a strong link between substance abuse and criminal behavior. Sadly too, studies also show that almost two-thirds of men released from prison will be re-incarcerated within three years. But Sr. Virginia had more than a vision for Stephen’s Place; she had a detailed plan. When men first arrive at Stephen’s Place, in addition to shelter and food, they receive clothes and other personal care items. They also receive a bus pass for travel to outpatient treatment and twelve-step meetings, as well as help finding employment. Stephen’s Place takes care of all their personal needs until they find gainful employment. When they do become employed, Stephen’s Place requires $80 a week for room and board. In short, Stephen’s Place emphasizes individualized programs to improve basic life skills such as budgeting, financial planning and social functioning. However, it is not just meeting the personal needs of men that will break their cycle of addiction and failure. Stephen’s Place employs a broad-based program of “reintegration” functioning on the principle of empowering the residents to internalize a strong recovery program through outpatient treatment, as needed, personal investment in the Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous program in the community, and ongoing group and individual counseling. Even a GED Program is available to obtain a high school equivalency diploma. Most important is that Stephen’s Place provides a structured environment that promotes basic family values of accountability, responsibility, and a sense of belonging. It empowers its residents to internalize the principles of a responsible lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol. Practically speaking, residents receive job readiness training, development of a resume, and assistance in developing a job search plan. Over the past two decades, Sr. Virginia has managed to operate efficiently on generous donations and grants from private foundations. With financial stability and sustained inspired leadership, Stephen’s Place will continue to restore lives by breaking the cycle of addiction for men who, with help, can lead productive lives and become responsible citizens. The programs provided at Stephen’s Place are as follows: ● Life Skills Education Life skills are those abilities that help promote mental well-being and competence as each resident faces the realities of life. We focus our efforts on developing good decision making and communication skills. We also explore coping and self-management skills. This is done through formal groups as well as applying these on an individual basis when the need arises. ● Substance Abuse Support Group This group is held on a weekly basis at Stephen’s Place. During this time the residents have the opportunity to reflect on the recovery process. This group is in addition to the Twelve Step meetings each resident is required to attend within the community. ● Job Readiness Skills Every resident is required to obtain full time employment. In order to accomplish this goal they are assisted in writing resumes, interviewing skills and in job searches. ● Financial Management Once a resident is employed they are required, with the assistance of the Director, to make a budget. They are taught how to live within their means as well as save money for the future. ● Individual & Group Therapy Individual Therapy with the residents is conducted on an as needed basis. A group therapy session is held once a week. It is held every Sunday evening. ● Recreational Activities Stephen’s Place also cultivates a whole lifestyle change such as introducing the residents to recreational activities that is positive. It is important that our residents learn ways to have a good time without using drugs and alcohol. For example, every year we plan a weekend trip to Ocean City, New Jersey. As a family, the residents engage in recreational activities. Some examples of activities are going to the movies, attending baseball games and bowling. These activities help to improve the mental outlook of the residents. They also help them to experience ways to deal with stress. Another aspect of Stephen's Place is to have the residents experience a sense of family and tradition during the holidays. The resident's pick out a Christmas tree every year for the house. There is a Christmas party held at the house with the resident's and graduates families, including a visit from Santa for the children. This provides an opportunity for fellowship with graduates of Stephen's Place. During Easter an egg hunt is held on the grounds of the house. The children of current and former residents are invited to participate in the hunt for eggs. This includes prizes and games along with refreshments. Each child receives an Easter basket from the Easter Bunny. These activities provide an opportunity for residents to bond with their children, family members and fellowship with former residents. We evaluate the success of our program on an ongoing basis. Since the inception of Stephen’s Place in 1994, we have kept a database of all the residents who have completed our program. We maintain contact with former residents and the criminal justice system to ascertain their status in the community. Over the past 5 years our success rate has been at 75% of our graduates have not been re-incarcerated.