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Mendocino County Primary
Purpose, Inc
John Jacobsen, Director
P O Box 66, Albion, California 95410
Telephone (707) 937-3830
Dear friends,
Thank you for supporting this
Non-Profit business even before we established such a record of success.
Without the support of the community, I doubt we would still be here today.
Phase-one of the program offers
ninety-day low cost treatment of adult addicts and alcoholics. Entrance fees
are at or below $500 and a few community churches offer an occasional
scholarship. Thereafter, most clients pay $297 rent from General Assistance
(welfare). Clients are male only and preferably able-bodied so as to perform
24 hours of onsite work per month. (chores & cost-avoidance). We prefer not to
have dual-diagnosis clients although many have been able to adapt. The
therapeutic value usually begins 10-14 days into treatment when clients start
to have “feelings” -that they are unable to escape using accustomed methods
(e.g. work-aholic, music, change of subject, fiddling with props). The first
30-days are a “black-out” period that prohibits visitors and telephones until
one completes certain recovery criteria and the house votes to keep the
client. Correspondence by mail is allowed.
This concentrated living process
becomes quite uncomfortable and a profound transformation begins as a result
of painful self-discovery. Clients develop social “tools” which enables them
to face their reality “on life’s terms”. They learn not to react negatively in
feeling situations because they are just that “feelings”, and they will change
without chemicals.
Factually; clients experience some of
the most painful feelings ever-and live through it- without using alcohol or
drugs. It’s amazing how well of an escape artist from feelings we become.
Each client leads by example and as new people enter the household the living
responsibilities become greater as clients move up (e.g. work-coordinator,
senior-shopper, senior peer). Society presents many consequences to learn
from, so to does this program. As clients error in behavior, their peers “help
them” by holding each other accountable then writing an essay or performing
other undesirable tasks as a consequence. All consequences are voted on by the
group and everything we do is done at a group level.
A typical day begins with a one-hour
7:00am “Attitude Adjustment” (AA/NA) meeting. Clients take turns preparing
meals. Breakfast and household chores are 8:00am to 9:00am. At 9:15am, six
days a week, we have a check-in meeting alternating with the director, staff,
and phase-II graduates. The “senior peer” leads this therapeutic meeting and
we begin by saying how you feel, who and why in the group you love today, and
why do you love yourself today. This revolves around the group circle and it
is here “…the therapeutic value of one addicts helping another goes without
parallel”. This check-in can last for hours and is usually filled with drama
and a barrage of emotions. The afternoon brings a one-hour book study of
AA/NA. 3:00pm to 4:00pm is the only time one may sit/lie down on the bed
before lights out/quiet time from 10:00pm to 6:00am. Several nights a week,
phase-I clients travel into the community for participation in AA/NA meetings.
At times the group convenes before bed-time to say their day went; and if
they have any “resentments” that need to be voiced.
Phase-two is a second ninety-day
commitment which allows a graduate to leave premises on visiting passes and
for personal business. This provides gradual social re-entry thus lessening
culture shock while maintaining mandatory participation levels and
accountability. Staff must first ok the graduate prior to his departure. We
must know where, why and when before a graduate can leave the property.
Employment is possible but not a priority as there’s little recovery and much
opportunity to be used as a reality escape from feelings as well as a trigger.
The Phase-II graduate serves as 12-step sponsor to undergrads in the phase-one
house.
Exactly what we do here is difficult
to explain in words as it must be felt (feelings) in order for “it” to effect
change. We started nine-years ago and have served over 600 people, many of
whom remain clean, sober, and at liberty.
Many are impressed with the long term
results of this particular program. I am amazed with the therapeutic value of
one addict helping another, because it truly is as the 12-steps quote
“…without parallel”. The “12-steps” of recovery is the core of this successful
program.
Clients who graduate phase-II and/or
whom are selected by the Director may reside at our phase-III “North-house”
located in Fort Bragg. This is similar to a “half-way” house and having
minimal requirements, conducive to a greater opportunity of employment and
self support, while incorporating a recovery theme.
Due to lack of funding (which we are
always seeking) we are not licensed by the State of California. We are however
endorsed and utilized by the California State Parole, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma
and Humboldt County Superior Courts, Mendocino County District Attorney,
Sonoma County Prosecutors, Mendocino County Probation Department, Fort Bragg
Police Department, and the Sheriff-Coroner of Mendocino County. (see Letter
Support file)
Many Judges from various
jurisdictions send us “prop 36 recycles” by sentencing defendants to serve
custodial time here while awarding “actual day-for-day” credits on their jail
sentence. Even the most hardened convicts we have had softened up and
responded to this program evident by a reduction of recidivism.
We are excited and pleased to provide
such a valuable service. If I may be of any further assistance on this topic
please feel free to contact me.
John Jacabsen |