(12/2020) As 2020 slowly comes into the final stretch, I want to remind everyone about an Adams County project that is a silver lining on a challenging year. Renovations on the of first substance abuse recovery center in Adams County are nearing completion. And it can’t come soon enough.

To refresh your memory, Adams County has partnered with the RASE project, a Pa-based non-profit, to renovate the Sisters of Mercy convent in Gettysburg into a combination public substance abuse center with a few apartments for men in recovery from substance abuse.

While not new to our region, substance abuse recovery centers provide a one-stop shop for critical services for an individuals and families seeking recovery resources. Every state in the nation has Recovery Centers. Some are large and some are small, some simply provide a safe place to hold meetings and social gatherings, while others provide a variety of recovery support services combined with transitional housing units - but at the very least they all offer persons in recovery solace and positive social interaction. At this time we are only a few months away from establishing the Mercy House Recovery Center. The primary population to be served will be adult men and women, in all stages of the recovery process, their families and other loved ones between the ages of 18 and 65.

Peer-leaders at the Mercy House will draw from their own experiences to provide practical skill-building support and opportunities for others. The Mercy House peer-delivered services aim to help people initiate and sustain long-term recovery while embracing overall wellness through: Pre-existing programs like the MARS (Medication Assisted Recovery Services) Program, and the Recovery Specialist Program; Peer to Peer Recovery Support Services such as Telephone Recovery Support and Recovery Coaching; Peer-facilitated Support Groups; Educational activities like vocational enrichment, computer lab, parenting, life skills, and Adult Education classes; Family Interventions; Family programs; and Positive social activities such as dances, dinners, breakfasts, cook-outs, holiday events, family game nights, recovery idol competitions, and karaoke nights

The Mercy house will have a positive impact on the utilization of Drug and Alcohol services. Through involvement with the Mercy house individuals, families, and communities can gain access to recovery-focused services and support that will increase successful treatment completion rates, promote early re-engagement for those who have relapsed, and provide pathways to recovery for individuals not in need of clinical treatment services. Services provided at the Mercy house will not replace, but rather will augment and compliment the focus of treatment, outreach, engagement and prevention to assist people in recovery to gain the skills and resources needed to implement, maintain and sustain long-term recovery. As such, staff members at the Mercy house will make appropriate referrals to treatment providers when necessary.

Mercy house services can occur in tandem with outpatient substance abuse and/or mental health treatment. For those participants in need of a more intense level of care, Mercy house services will be available to them as is deemed appropriate by the other service provider(s), and upon participant completion of the other program(s). Participants involved in the services at the Mercy house will be exposed to and encouraged to become involved in, other forms of recovery support, such as: 12-Step meetings (NA, CA, AA), faith-based recovery programs, medication assisted recovery, etc. Participants involved in programming at the Mercy house will receive services separately, independently, and in addition to any other services they may choose to access or be involved in.

The Mercy house will be a central place where individuals in recovery can participate in recovery support services, trainings/workshops, self-help groups and social activities in an environment conducive to recovery. Recovering individuals can come together at the Mercy house to gain knowledge, learn new skills, socialize and expand their network of support. The Mercy house will offer an environment conducive to growth and change where individuals will learn how to transition into community life. At the Mercy house, people in recovery develop and implement peer-run programs that can supplement existing services offered through formal treatment systems, thus expanding community-based resources available to those in recovery. The will have ample space and rooms available to accommodate more than one service being offered at the same time.

Most programs and classes at the Mercy house will take place during normal business hours, however, in the evenings the Mercy house will become a communal spot for recovering individuals to find a safe haven. The Mercy house will provide a positive social environment where individuals will be able to find camaraderie, support, and relaxation. Participants will learn that they can have fun in recovery. The Mercy house will be stimulating and enriching at the same time, providing respite from the streets and an atmosphere of recovery at all times. A community room equipped with coffee pots, vending machines, tables and chairs, pool table and other gaming equipment will be open and supervised every evening. There will also be A.A., N.A. and other 12-Step support groups holding meetings in segregated areas of the Mercy house during evening and weekend hours.

The Mercy house will not be a clinical program where recovering individuals are expected to follow treatment plans, receive counseling, etc. Instead, the Mercy house will be a peer-run program of choice offering community-based, peer-driven, non-clinical programs and services in a consumer-friendly environment. The same individuals who come in search of support will also support others and assist in project activities. The Mercy house will fill a unique and vital role in the addiction treatment system and surrounding communities. For a fraction of the cost of formal treatment services, the Mercy house will provide a supportive environment for recovering individuals who might otherwise resort to active substance use or other self-defeating behaviors.

The Mercy house will thus become a cost-effective means of offering community-based services and support to those in recovery at times when clinical treatment services may not be readily accessible (evenings and weekends) or cannot offer the length of stay necessary to achieve and sustain recovery. The Mercy house will provide empowerment – something that clinical services cannot. By planning and directing Mercy house activities, individuals in recovery will learn practical lessons about planning, budgeting, employment and other aspects of being productive members of society. Also, staff at the Mercy house will assume a peer status role that allows recovering individuals to develop a sense of responsibility/self-worth that will support personal growth and long-term recovery. Rather than focusing on treatment of addiction, the Mercy house will stress personal values of recovery and assist individuals in establishing a foundation that supports living a recovering lifestyle. The Mercy house will also provide important information, resources and referral services to those in need. Staff at the Mercy house will gather/disseminate information on AOD issues, treatment programs, 12-Step Programs, recovery housing/sober living, advocacy and a multitude of community-based services that can enhance the recovery process.

While the on-going pandemic slowed us down, it will not stop this project from being a success. Over the next few weeks the major renovations will be completed, finishing touches will be finalized, and RASE staff will begin to move into the offices. We will still need to iron out covid-19 protocols for the public and private spaces, but I have full faith that we will be ready for a ribbon cutting in early 2021. Thank you for your patience as we finalize this project and as always, if you have any questions about the Mercy house or any county business, please contact me at mqually@adamscounty.us.