Objective: To link those in recovery with their peers, while providing a Christian foundation.
Description: Christians in Recovery, offered through the Second Baptist Church of Atlantic City, works to assist individuals struggling with addiction to better access health insurance and formal outpatient and inpatient drug and alcohol programs. Because it is a peer model, the lived experience is critical. This is unique and cannot be taught. People in recovery meet and mentor others who are in addiction, or in early recovery. They challenge societal stigma in addition to the spiritual stigma that exists in some churches. They have announcements at each worship service and recruit new members through the church and missionary. They meet regularly for peer support and support those in active addiction and recovery.
Recovery is critical to all individuals. Recovery is also important spiritually and needs to be addressed in the church not shunned by the church. Individuals in recovery or striving for recovery started meeting in a spiritual context to support each other, educate each other and assist in identifying and enrolling in services. This became a regular meeting and they then identified themselves as a group challenging societal stigma and also spiritual stigma.
Results/Accomplishments/Evidence: Increased church attendance, increased attendance at meetings. Qualitative feedback about increased enrollment in services and increased knowledge and support related to recovery.
Population of Focus: Adults, Black or African American, Elderly, Hispanic or Latino, Homeless, Incarcerated/formerly incarcerated, Transition aged
Setting: Community center, Faith-based organization, Home/housing, Parks & recreation, Urban
Level of Intervention: Community, Individual
Contact
Collins Days, Reverend
Second Baptist Church
pastor@secondac.com
609-348-3580
110 Rev Dr Isaac S Coles Plz, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
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