Substance Addiction Programs and Outreach

Planting seeds of hope and new life for those with addictions.

ANCHOR HOUSE

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul a hope both sure and steadfast. (Hebrews 6:19)

The programs of Anchor House, so named because they provide residents with an “anchor” in a safe harbor from which to fight the destructiveness of substance abuse, offer a holistic Christ centered approach to recovery and self sufficiency.

The Anchor House model provides an 18-month program which includes individual and group counseling, psychological assessment, vocational counseling and recreation. The integration of these activities with the spiritual base and religious teachings strengthen and empower the individuals we serve.

One of the goals of the Anchor House program is to provide our brothers and sisters in residence with the tools and skills to lead meaningful, productive lives upon graduation from the program. Residents are taught basic computer and literacy skills, resume writing and interview techniques. Prior to graduation a resident must demonstrate that he/she is drug free, has secured employment, is financially independent and has identified a stable residence.

The program began in the 1960s on Park Place in Brooklyn. In 1996 the Men’s Program moved to the Bergen Street site, which currently serves up to 50 men. The women’s program began in 1997 after the Park Place facility was no longer needed for the men’s program. The women’s facility is now fully operational and the program has the capacity to serve 28 women. We hope to increase our women’s programs to full capacity in the year 2010. Unfortunately, the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services has not fully funded the facility and we find the operation of this building to be a drain on our finances.

Anchor House and its Board of Directors, and Executive Director, Rev. Henry Lopez, faced some difficult decisions during the year 2009. Because of lower funding and lower census in our programs, staff was furloughed one day every two weeks without pay. This measure lasted for three months. We have experienced some difficulties in communication with our state funding agencies and now are moving forward with a management team of all program directors and the board to provide better communication among all parties.

Additional funding and support from United Methodist churches must be pursued. The Society has given a challenge grant of $15,000 to Anchor House for new revenue from UM churches in the conference. We encourage our UM churches to invite the Anchor House choir to services and to provide for fundraising opportunities while they are present.

Anchor House experienced a $345,000 deficit in 2009 and there are no longer any reserves.

Planting God’s garden to feed the hungry.

“Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty…” Matthew 25:44

Far Rockaway Mission

Twenty eight years ago, in November of 1982, with the dream of Rev. Judy Bennett, the support of then District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Wilson Boots, and especially spiritual and financial support from the Conference of United Methodist Women and many local UMW units, the United Methodist Center of Far Rockaway was born. The opening of a women’s crisis center in Far Rockaway was desperately needed, as Rev. Bennett saw an increasing number of women abused and in crisis coming to her church for help. The center operated one day a week out of a storefront on Central Avenue, in Far Rockaway.

The Mission began in January 1983, when Janet Porcher became its first full time volunteer, and within a few months, she was appointed Director. Janet saw the needs of the neighborhood and was aware that a large number of residents were poor, and/or suffered from alcohol/substance abuse problems and began expanding the work from a women’s center to a community of faith, open to all who were in need.

Today, The United Methodist Mission at Far Rockaway provides hot meals five days a week to 60 to 80 people and a food pantry distribution twice a week. We provide for referrals to many local social service agencies as well as education and spiritual growth opportunities for those who come to the mission. The program also offers employment to the mentally challenged two days a week to assist in the food pantry program.

During 2009, the Mission’s food pantry program served 16,000 meals. Those who come to our Mission include children (25%) and the elderly (20%) in addition to the working poor and unemployed. Every Tuesday and Thursday, 120 bags of both perishable and non-perishable food items are given out to these individuals and families.

The Mission sponsors special holiday events at Christmas and Thanksgiving, including activities for children, such as the back-to-school luncheon, where new school supplies are provided; Easter basket project; and Christmas present program. These special activities are supported by many Long Island West churches and the United Methodist Women’s units. They have been the Mission’s backbone of support.

The year 2009 was a time of renewed hope and energy as we moved the Mission to a new site after an intense and extensive search. In December, we finally began serving meals at 1032 Beach 19th Street in Far Rockaway.

Mearl Grant was appointed director by the Board. He is a retired corrections officer with a big heart, who has thrown that heart and his soul into caring for God’s children in Far Rockaway. Mr. Denis Stewart, as board president, has been a partner with Mr. Grant in making sure the mission has operated as well as possible under difficult transitional circumstances.

Planting seeds of justice for the immigrant.

Justice For Our Neighbors (JFON)

The City Society also provides support and assistance to other community based projects throughout the New York Annual Conference. One such project is Justice for Our Neighbors. The City Society gives direct financial support of $15,000 to JFON, as well as free space for their Harlem office at 2085 Fifth Avenue. Our investment value of $30,000 through free rent highlights our commitment to the immigrant community.

A network of church-based, volunteer-supported law clinics, JFON provides free legal advice and representation to vulnerable, low-income immigrants in New York City. It is an interfaith collaboration that serves immigrants of all faiths, races, and ethnicities, in all five boroughs, at three church-based offices.

JFON is a project of the New York Annual Conference and represents the local branch of a national immigration project of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. There are 22 locally supported JFON projects, including clinics in Texas, Michigan, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Iowa, and Nebraska.