July 22, 2009

BALTIMORE, MD -- The Johns Hopkins Student Athlete Advisory Committee recently delivered more than 50 bags of clothing to the Salvation Army location on W. Patatsco Avenue in Baltimore. The donation was went to the Adult Rehabilitation program (see details below).

SAAC started its collection in mid April and it lasted until the close of the school year in May. Collections were taken at the main entrance to the Ralph S. O'Connor Recreation Center on the Homewood Campus and donations were taken from faculty, staff and students at Johns Hopkins. SAAC hopes to make this clothing drive an annual event for the entire Hopkins Community.

Adult Rehabilitation Program
• Program Overview •

The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers provide spiritual, social and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Each center offers residential housing and work, group and individual therapy within clean, wholesome surroundings. The physical and spiritual care that program participants receive here prepares them to re-enter society and return to gainful employment. Many of those rehabilitated go on to be reunited with their families and resume a normal life.

The work therapy portion of the program includes the collection, repair and sale of donated items through The Salvation Army Family Stores (formerly known as Thrift Stores). This experience helps participants learn or relearn how to be productive, participate cooperatively, follow instructions, contribute toward a goal and maintain balance.

Who Is Eligible?
Every potential program participant must undergo a comprehensive intake interview to ensure that the one seeking help and the program are a good match. If the interview process determines our program is not appropriate for the individual, every attempt will be made to refer them to one that is.

The core program is basically the same, although Adult Rehabilitation Center programs may vary somewhat from center to center. Each applicant must first acknowledge the specific need to be addressed by the Adult Rehabilitation Center program (addiction, homelessness, emotional issues, etc.). A long-term commitment of at least six months is also required so patterns of poor decision-making can be broken and replaced with positive life choices and changes that, upon re-entry, help them become productive citizens of their community.