"One Door Opening Many"
The mission of the Re-Entry Services Department is to empower our clients to attain self-sufficiency, continued recovery, and the realization of their ultimate potential by building skills, providing support, and role modeling professional behavior. The Re-Entry Services Department provides Education services, Employment services, Housing services, and Economic and Supportive services to Walden House clients in all phases of treatment
Education Services
The Education Component sees its mission as two-fold: first, to provide clients with first-rate instruction in a variety of areas while they are in treatment, and second, to give each client a sound foundation for moving forward with his or her lifelong education. Because every person learns differently, we have taken a number of different approaches towards this goal.
The Education Component offers on-site basic education support, including: Basic Computer Skills, Academic Brush-up opportunities, Reading and Writing Workshops, GED preparation classes, and typing/keyboarding programs. In addition to classes and individual tutoring, clients can access PLATO, an educational software program that assesses academic skill in a wide range of subjects at all levels. PLATO class allows each client to work at his or her own speed, moving through computerized tutorials and quizzes to help them prepare to pass the GED exam.
The Education Component works steadily to remain closely linked to several educational services within the community. Clients with learning disabilities or special needs, for example, are referred to The Department of Rehabilitation and non-readers, or clients with low literacy, are referred to Project READ at the San Francisco Public Library. Support and guidance are consistently provided to clients while they attend education programs both inside and outside of Walden House.
We believe that self-expression and the exploration of new ideas are crucial elements of a sound education. For this reason, we also offer a number of liberal arts based groups, including a Book group, and Poetry Reading and Writing groups. Since the first "Book Group" met in the summer of 2003, hundreds of clients have participated and more clients are joining all of the time.
Finally, in acknowledgement of the fact that life does, after all, continue after Walden House, the Education Component offers individual college and vocational school counseling, help with transcripts and financial aid applications, and referrals to local organizations such as the Second Chance program at CCSF and Project Rebound at SFSU.
Employment Services
Looking for a job is never easy, but for our clients it can be particularly difficult. Many of our clients face multiple barriers to employment such as low literacy, a limited work history, health concerns and/or a criminal record in addition to their struggles with substance abuse. Clients in Walden House's residential and out-patient treatment programs work with the Employment Services component to overcome many of these barriers.
The goal of the Employment Services component is not only to help clients find employment, but also to teach our clients the skills they will need to conduct successful job searches throughout their lives. Through a series of workshops and one on one meetings, clients learn the skills necessary to develop and carry out a successful job search. Some of these workshops and meetings include job seeking skills, interviewing skills, mock interviews, resume and cover letter writing, learning about applications, career counseling, and a daily motivational morning meeting.
Our clients gain employment in a variety of fields. Some past clients have been employed as carpenters, construction workers, janitorial staff, auto mechanics, customer service representatives, senior account executives in software sales, drivers, plumbers, administrative assistants, community resource managers, security guards, counselors, cooks, outreach workers, housekeepers, program assistants, massage therapists, dog-groomers, certified nursing assistants and front desk clerks in hotels and private businesses.
Clients, who are not able to work due to disabilities, are linked to Economic and Supportive services. Many of these clients receive benefits such as SSI and choose to work with the employment component to become volunteers or to find a part-time job while maintaining their benefits. Clients who do not have any work experience are often linked to transitional work programs, vocational training programs or paid training programs where they are able to develop marketable skills.
Housing Services
Having a safe, comfortable place to live is crucial for each of our clients as they make the transition from our residential programs back into the community. Because finding affordable housing is often a challenge, we prepare clients for their housing search by providing a Housing Seeking Skills workshop and intensive individual housing counseling.
During the workshop, clients learn how to get a copy of their credit report, fill out a housing application correctly and decipher housing advertisements. The workshop also covers the different types of housing available and renters' rights. Individual assistance locating housing intensifies toward the end of a client's time in treatment. Clients check in with their housing counselor weekly for housing leads and support. The Housing Services component develops and maintains relationships with a variety of property management companies, transitional housing facilities and sober living facilities where our clients are often able to find housing.
Economic and Supportive Services
Economic and Supportive Services (ESS) include services that help our clients build financial stability and increase their quality of life. Clients are able to meet with a member of the ESS component to identify their specific needs, find out about appropriate resources, and create action plans. Clients also have the opportunity to participate in a series of workshops conducted by the ESS component that address financial responsibility, goal setting and budgeting.
The ESS component provides information and support for clients around accessing Social Security or other related income programs, planning for employment and receiving Social Security, MediCal, or other "safety net" income and/or benefits, information and referral to 2nd chance banking programs, economic development and economic self sufficiency programs, legal advocacy referrals, financial planning, and credit/debt concerns.