CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONSThe Council greatly appreciates and

accepts monetary donations, clothing, household items, kitchen items, cleaning

items, bedding & bath items, personal hygiene and other donations. 

A list of needed items may be obtained by calling 708-647-3333.

 Your contribution may be sent to: THE COUNCIL Attn: Finance Department

1909 Cheker Square East Hazel Crest, IL 60429

or through our website www.sscouncil.org

1909 Cheker Square

(174th & Dixie Highway)East Hazel Crest, IL 60429

www.sscouncil.org

FOR INFORMATION OR HELP:708-647-3333 

RECOVERY HOMEPROVIDING HOUSING, SHELTER

AND RECOVERY

TTHHEE

Licensed and partially funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services

Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Division of Mental Health and the United Way

Accredited by The Joint Commission

THE SOUTH SUBURBAN COUNCIL’S RECOVERY HOME offers recovery support and an alternative to homelessness. It is a peer-run, recovery-oriented housing that fills a service gap. Our home offers safe, alcohol- and drug-free environment that affords people in recovery with the opportunity to continually surround themselves with other people who are pursuing the same goal of recovery and wellness. It’s a place where people fit in, have common experiences and goals, and can be authentic without having to explain their addiction or recovery needs.

Our home provides a safe and healthy environment that supports residents in their recovery. Our home empowers people by providing support as they transition towards living independent and productive lives in their respective communities. Our recovery home offers a unique alternative to harm reduction—a component of the Housing First model—for individuals whose main goal is to find a sober living environment.

Relapse can be common among people treated for  substance use disorders. These high rates of relapse highlight the need for finding new ways to approach substance use treatment. This is where peer-run, recovery-oriented housing can fill a service gap.

Recovery homes are increasingly viewed as a viable and cost-effective alternative to established recovery-oriented systems of care. These homes are a good alternative because they provide safe and healthy environments that support residents in their recovery.

SouthSuburbanCouncil

@ssca_thecouncil

SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT

HOUSING AND SHELTERTransitional or supportive housing and homeless shelters can help stabilize people with mental health issues and substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness.Poverty, unemployment, and lack of affordable housing are commonly recognized causes of homelessness. These risk factors can be exacerbated by personal vulnerabilities such as  mental and substance use disorders,  trauma and violence, domestic violence, justice-system involvement, sudden serious illness, divorce, death of a partner, and disabilities.Housing and shelter programs can help address the root causes of homelessness through a range of essential recovery support services, including mental and substance use disorder treatment, employment, and mainstream benefits. Types of housing and shelter programs include: • Emergency shelters are often where people experiencing economic shock first turn for support through a wide range of services. • Transitional housing typically involves a temporary residence of up to 24 months with wrap-around services to help people stabilize their lives. • Permanent supportive housing offers safe and stable housing environments with voluntary and flexible supports and services to help people manage serious, chronic issues such as mental and substance use disorders. • Providing permanent supportive housing on a housing first basis— without requiring transitional steps or demonstrated sobriety— is effective for people experiencing chronic homelessness. People with a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or co-occurring mental and substance use disorder have demonstrated similar or better housing stability and substance use, compared to those placed in housing with pre-requisites. Large-scale studies demonstrating the benefits include the Collaborative Initiative to End Chronic Homelessness.Research shows interventions to prevent homelessness are more cost effective than addressing issues after someone is already homeless. The longer a person is homeless, the harder and more expensive it becomes to re-house this person. Rapid rehousing helps people move from emergency/transitional shelter or on the street into stable housing as fast as possible. It also connects people with supportive, community-based resources that help them maintain housing. The success of this strategy is noted in this example from a research report (PDF | 810 KB): Only 10 percent of families exiting the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rapid Re-housing for Homeless Families Demonstration sites returned to homelessness.Other strategies showing evidence of effectiveness for preventing homelessness include: • Programs that help stabilize households by providing food support, such as food stamps and programs for free school breakfast and lunch. Programs seeking to increase the supply of affordable housing in America, such as the Housing Trust Fund. • Benefits advocacy, which helps people find public and entitlement benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), veterans’ benefits, food stamps, childcare assistance, Medicaid, and low- income energy assistance. • Discharge planning for people released from institutional care (e.g., hospitals, psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment centers, foster care, military service, jail, prison). • Case management that focuses on determining clients’ needs for housing assistance, helping them find and get housing, and securing other resources needed to maintain housing stability (e.g., health insurance, childcare services, medical treatment, psychological services, food, clothing). • On-Site Recovery Coaches.

For more information: • SAMHSA’s Permanent Supportive Housing Evidence-Based Practices KIT outlines essential components for supportive housing services and programs for people living with mental illness. • SAMHSA encourages its website users to search for articles, videos, and webinars on mental and substance use disorders and homelessness and to visit its store for free resources. • The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness works with federal member agencies to achieve the goals of the federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness. Its website features tools for action, customized by goals, solutions, and types. • The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers numerous resources for people who are experiencing or are at risk for homelessness. • Its Resource Locator allows users to quickly connect with building managers, public housing authority representatives, and property management companies to inquire about housing issues, including availability. • HUD-sponsored counseling agencies throughout the country offer free or low-cost advice on foreclosure prevention and housing. • The National Alliance to End Homelessness designed the Homeless Prevention Guide to support communities as they plan, develop, and implement a solid program to prevent homelessness. • Veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness— and their family members, friends and supporters— can call 1-877-4AID VET (877-424-3838) or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

THE SOUTH SUBURBAN COUNCIL RECOVERY HOME: • Each room has its own full bathroom with showers • Newly and continuing renovation and investment • New furniture and appliances • In house meetings: • Relapse Prevention • Spirituality • Recovery Education • Peer Group • Open speaker • Big Book Study • Coping Skills • Work Forces Development • Life Skills Training • Community Meeting • Peer Coaching • Trauma • Domestic Violence • Guest Speakers • Sunday night wrap-up • Saturday morning whole-house cleaning (learning the skills to keep a house clean and healthy) • Continuous staff presence to ensure safety and security • Cleaning supplies and health essentials provided • State of the art security system

• In house meal service • T.V., DVD, VHS room • Full size/extended Community Room with entertainment systems • Full size kitchen with brand new appliances • In house laundry service with brand new appliances • Onsite workout room • Onsite Computer and Research room • Within steps to: • CTA • Pace • Metra – minutes ride from downtown Chicago • Outside meetings within walking distance • Close proximity to ever growing Halsted Avenue shopping center with plenty of eating and shopping choices. • Within steps of Homewood Public Library • On-site health facility • Outpatient services within the same building • Case Management services on-site • Recovery Coaches (24 hour phone access) • 100’s of Linkage Agreements including SAFER, Christian Community and Grand Prairie to provide further support. • Employment Searches and Resources, Get Hired Illinois, Illinois Link Card Assistance, Illinois Job Link

RESIDENTS ARE ASKED TO: • Continue Outpatient treatment • Attend outside meetings • Make all house meetings and functions and be on time • No cell phones allowed in house meetings • Acquire a sponsor and work suggested steps • Work a program of recovery • Pursue employment • Gain skills • Maintain sobriety • Prepare for eventual re-entry into permanent housing • Continue building support system • Practice budgeting and financial independence • Set goals • Find and attend recovery meetings that work for your schedule (https:// meetingfinder.online/) • Build and maintain a structured routine • Opt out of events and situations that could trigger a relapse • Build and maintain coping skills • Volunteer in our community • Continue work with your Recovery Coach • Clean up after self and maintain healthy living conditions • Due daily chores and develop healthy cleaning habits • Obtain a LINK Card if appropriate (https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30371) • Obtain license (is appropriate) • Obtain insurance if needed • Smoking ONLY allowed in designated area outside. • Zero tolerance: • Fighting • Using • Failure to adhere to house rules