New life recovery: Providing shelter and support to substance abuse patients

By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO

5 years in the past Vennieth McCormick struck out on a path to assist individuals challenged with substance abuse problems. He needed to vary lives.  He needed to present hope. And he knew he might make a distinction. 

McCormick believed since he overcame his personal battle with alcohol abuse 30 years in the past, his story might function proof {that a} extra productive life was doable, even for these tightly clasped within the grasp of habit. 

“I might drive by, cross people on the road– some homeless–and see them. It was laborious to show and look away,” McCormick instructed the AFRO. “I knew that if solely by the grace of God, it might be me.”

So, he took motion. McCormick went on to construct a reasonably profitable enterprise in actual property and residential enchancment and started renting properties to organizations serving to individuals with substance abuse problems. 

 “I might run into a few of these guys dwelling within the leases and find yourself in lengthy conversations with them on what they wanted to maneuver their lives ahead.  “I can do that,” he thought and so, he did. 

“I needed to contribute to their success and each fiber of my physique was telling me, I might do it– [I could] run a program with compassion and make a distinction within the lives of individuals in want.”

“There was rather a lot to study,” says Mr. McCormick. “I knew that counseling was needed. What I spotted most–and it goes again to Maslow’s Concept, Hierarchy  of Wants– is that till you place a roof over somebody’s head, it’s laborious to assist them in any sustainable method.”  

McCormick began with one home that he rapidly crammed with males in want of a spot to remain. He linked them with programming and assets to handle habit and a few, over time, did full the journey to a clear and sober way of life.  

Over the previous 5 years, McCormick’s program, New Life Restoration, has grown from one home to eight– together with a home for girls.

“Consider me after I let you know that lots of the individuals laying on the streets of our nation are affected by some type of substance problems or psychological well being points or each. It’s true and might complicate their issues if not appropriately identified and handled,” mentioned McCormick.

The information proves him proper. 

In accordance with the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Providers Administration (SAMHSA), “over 582,000 people throughout the nation had been experiencing homelessness on a single evening in 2022.” Of that quantity, “21 p.c of people experiencing homelessness reported having a severe psychological sickness, and 16 p.c reported having a substance use dysfunction.”

No straightforward resolution

In accordance with McCormick, rather a lot goes into working a housing unit for people with substance abuse and psychological well being points.  

“When you home them, you need to feed and dress them…after which you may assist them take care of the explanations for his or her abuse, which requires psychological and therapeutic assist,” he instructed the AFRO.

Each particular person coming via New Life Restoration has entry to these companies.

Extra just lately, McCormick consolidated his program.  He has acquired new lodging for New Life Restoration within the type of a downtown Baltimore resort, with over 100 beds, positioned at 110 St. Paul St.

McCormick described what the resort house seemed like earlier than New Life Restoration took over.  

“It had turn into a spot for homeless people or of us on help, paying very low lease, to hold exterior,” he mentioned. “You knew it was not your atypical residence constructing or dwelling quarters, as a result of in entrance of the constructing and sitting across the fountain had been people who seemed like they had been in want, misplaced or scuffling with a substance or psychological dysfunction.”

As we speak, the environment across the resort is completely different.  In buying the brand new lodging, McCormick is ready to present housing for people affected by substance abuse, psychological well being points and homelessness. The loitering that beforehand occurred, has subsided.  

McCormick additionally acquired the restaurant connected to the resort, the place he gives meals for the occupants.

“I’m used to serving meals to our purchasers.  We have now an everyday dietician who prepares our meals,” he mentioned. 

In the course of the holidays, McCormick and New Life Restoration workers present meals to homeless people. The AFRO has coated his efforts to serve up to now. 

“It is a chance to speak with individuals and provide them our help. Some take us up on it instantly, whereas others could return at a later date,” he mentioned. “At least they study our program and know the place we’re.”

“The necessity in Baltimore to deal with people–female and male– affected by substance abuse problems, psychological well being points and homelessness is nice,” says Mr. McCormick.  “We wish to proceed to be part of the answer. I’m within the technique of buying the resort subsequent door, at 100 St. Paul St., that can present 160 beds with 100 rooms.  It’s at present underneath renovation.”

The accommodations provide a method for New Life Restoration to assist extra individuals instantly and centralize their counseling and psychological well being companies. 

“Every part purchasers want are supplied on sight,” mentioned McCormick, who has moved all of his clientele into the resort setting.

The lodging are very similar to a hospital, nonetheless the rooms are extra non-public like these seen in a resort.  Much like the expectations required in his earlier ventures supplied, purchasers collaborating in immediately’s New Life Restoration programming should abide by guidelines and rules that embrace particular pointers and curfews.

Whereas the sacrifice is likely to be nice, the reward is even larger.

“Everybody dwelling in our program can get psychological well being counseling,” mentioned McCormick. “I’ve realized in case you are homeless, then you definately want our psychological well being companies– one thing has you on the road that you’ll want to face. There’s a saying, ‘that you need to face it to repair it.’ And right here at New Life Restoration we assist our purchasers do exactly that.”

New Life Restoration is working in partnership with the College of Maryland to supply coaching for people who’re able to go to work, whereas additionally offering continued assist to totally recuperate from experiencing homelessness.

McCormick likes the brand new lodging for his program and says he appears to be like ahead to the growth to 100 St. Paul Avenue including further lodging. The growth so far has enabled him to place extra time into different areas of New Life Restoration.

“I don’t must spend half my day working round from place to position and choosing up provides and dropping off clothes.  It’s consolidated,” he mentioned. “I get to spend extra time right here with the oldsters residing right here, collaborating with the coaching, and watching them…prayerfully go away right here entire. I’m grateful. I feel they’re too!”