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, a licensed, long-term
drug and alcohol treatment program founded by three formerly
homeless veterans, has provided food, shelter, and rehabilitation
since 1992. We provide services to more than 800 homeless
veterans a year through four locations:
"Therapeutic
Community" emphasizes honesty, work ethic, skill-learning,
personal accountability, economic self-reliance, family responsibility,
community involvement, and good citizenship. Sobriety, long-term
recovery, and employment are the basis for client stability
and permanent housing. New Directions offers:
Substance
Abuse Rehabilitation
Remedial Education
Vocational Assessment and Training
Legal Services
Housing Placement Assistance
Aftercare
- In Phase I, during their first 6 months,
residents first undergo detoxification, then intensive substance
abuse treatment, and professional and group counseling.
(New Directions North residents also receive supervised
medication and psychiatric services.)
- In Phase II, residents continue their
recovery from drugs and alcohol, and strengthen their skills
in preparation for employment. Parenting, anger management,
and communication skills are also stressed.
- Every
Phase I resident at the Regional Opportunity Center receives
an assessment of educational abilities by an on-site Los
Angeles Unified School District Adult Basic Education (ABE)
instructor. A Test for Adult Basic Education measures language
arts and math skills. Students with grade equivalencies
of 8th grade or below receive classes and tutoring.
- In Phase II, residents’ vocational
skills are assessed and a plan is developed.
- All residents receive computer training.
- New Directions offers job training
in Culinary Arts, Construction Management, Customer Service,
Computer Applications, and Human Services.
- The agency operates a number of Social
Enterprises (including the Veterans Village Diner)
in which residents receive additional job training and employment
opportunities.
- Residents meet with New Directions’
vocational staff for interview preparation and job search
guidance.
- After residents obtain employment,
they remain at New Directions for an additional 3-6 months
to save money for first and last month’s rent.
- Residents receive legal services and
representation necessary to obtain jobs and to retain them.
As homeless veterans with substance abuse problems, many
residents have fallen far behind in their child support
payments. Because wage garnishment can effectively remove
any income, New Directions’ attorney meets with the
assistant district attorney who enforces child support laws,
and explains the veteran’s predicament. Together, they
try to stipulate to an affordable payment plan so the veteran
can make payments.
- New Directions’ attorney helps
resolve outstanding warrants and other legal problems that
might hamper a resident’s ability to obtain employment.
- Residents receive help finding permanent
housing appropriate for their needs, enabling staff to more
easily stay in touch.
- New Directions maintains an active
search for housing of all kinds; works with appropriate
housing authorities to find subsidized, affordable, and
other specialized housing; helps residents complete rental
and credit applications; and places clients in an appropriate
homes.
- Even after residents leave, New Directions
maintains regular communication with them to improve their
chances of continued recovery and employment ("Aftercare").
- Residents are asked to attend weekly
"Aftercare meetings" for a minimum of 90 days
and to join the New Directions Alumni group for at least
a year.
- New Directions holds monthly "Winners
Circle" dinners at which graduates are acknowledged
for their recovery and employment successes.
- Meetings enable New Directions to gather
long-term data on graduates, honor their achievements in
sobriety and employment, assist them in adapting to the
work environment, provide additional job market resources,
identify warning signs of substance abuse relapse, and provide
intervention.
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