WELCOME TO THE MRC:
A COMMUNITY OF HOPE AND HOSPITALITY

When you join the MRC program, you become part of our community. We treat everyone with respect and dignity. Our goal is to give you hope and help you believe your life can get better. We teach skills to help you live clean, sober, and crime-free. We also help you meet people in recovery so you can build a strong support network.

When you were ten years old, you probably had dreams about your future. You may have wanted to be a teacher, a builder, or an athlete. Those dreams likely did not include drugs or crime. Right now, change may feel hard. Some people may think they will just finish the program and go back to old habits. But recovery takes courage and hard work. If we work together, you can build a better life and create new dreams.

MRC is a welcoming community. Men who complete the program are always welcome to come back for support, a meal, or a safe place. Many return as part of our alumni group to help others in the program. We also hold events to celebrate the courage of the men and their families in recovery.

We know that many people in the program went through hard times as children, including trauma or abuse. This pain can lead to anger and harmful choices later in life. While we cannot change the past, we can help you build a new future. With support, honesty, and responsibility, you can heal, grow, and build strong relationships.

Welcome to MRC, a community of hope and hospitality.

The Men's Residential Center helps men age 18 and older who struggle with drug or alcohol problems and are involved in the criminal justice system. Many are referred as an option instead of jail. Joining the program is still their choice. Each man sets goals to help him recover and build a better life.

Addiction is a serious disease that can get worse over time and even lead to death if it is not treated. It can harm a person’s mind, body, emotions, and relationships. With help and effort, people can recover.

Clients are not to blame for having addiction, but they are responsible for choosing recovery. Each person’s treatment plan is made to fit their needs. Staff work to give the best care and keep improving the program.

The program helps men change both substance use and harmful thinking or behavior. Staff use counseling methods that help clients find their own reasons to change.

We try to build a caring community where men feel accepted while also learning responsibility and honesty. Through treatment, support groups, and strong recovery plans, clients can build healthy lives.

We also work to help the community better understand the people we serve.

We provide the following trauma-informed services directly:

• Substance Use Disorder Education/Counseling and Relapse Prevention Planning
• Cognitive Restructuring and Harmful Thinking Patterns
• Mental Health and Therapy Groups
• Anger Expression
• Grief & Loss
• Mindfulness
• DBT
• Sexual Health
• Non-Violent Communication
• Recreation/Health/Wellness/Yoga
• Community Service Work
• Recovery Meetings/Support
• Parenting Skills
• Family Education and Support
• Employment Support
• Speakers Bureau

Program policies and rules are explained in the sections below.

Everyone at MRC has the right to feel safe and respected. Physical violence is not allowed and will likely lead to being removed from the program. Threats of violence or hateful comments may also lead to serious consequences.

Based on staff judgment, consequences will be either:

1. Termination, or,
2. Last chance contract and 3 to 4 weeks level B.

Racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, sexual, or other hurtful language or materials are not allowed. Staff will decide what happens next. If it seems like you did not understand the harm, staff may focus on teaching and counseling. If it seems like you meant to harm others, there will be stronger consequences.

You are expected to speak and act with respect toward everyone.

MRC uses a 3-level system. As you join treatment, follow rules, and act responsibly, you can move up levels and earn more privileges.

If you do not follow the rules, you may lose privileges or have other consequences. To move to level 2 privileges, you must ask for a recovery mentor. This person can help support your recovery.

Most clients stay in residential treatment for about 14 weeks to 5 months.

Your first positive drug test means you must stay at least 17 weeks. More positive tests may add more time or lead to discharge. Your first AWOL adds at least 2 more weeks. More AWOLs may add time or lead to discharge.

Some clients may move to a lower level of care after week 14 if they:

1. Are active in recovery and using a strong support group,
2. Finish all required classes,
3. Have a full-time job ready.

After residential treatment, clients may be referred to outpatient treatment and, if needed, to VOA transitional housing for about 2 months.

You may not have or use alcohol, or use any drugs unless they are prescribed by a licensed medical provider. All prescription and over-the-counter medicines must be turned in to staff.

Some medicines, like narcotics, anti-anxiety drugs, Wellbutrin, or other mood-changing drugs, must be approved by your counselor and management. You must also sign a release so staff can talk with your medical provider.

If you are taking a narcotic, staff may place you on Level C for 24 hours or longer. In some cases, you may be discharged if staff believe the medicine is harmful to your recovery. If a doctor is prescribing medication for you, tell them that you are enrolled in a SUD treatment program and ask for a non-narcotic substitute.

If you relapse off-site, staff will review what happened. Any positive UA will result in needing to complete a minimum of 17 weeks of treatment at the MRC. In addition, you will need to complete four additional support passes for a total of 14 in order to graduate.

If you use or have alcohol or drugs inside MRC, you will be discharged.

Serious criminal behavior may be treated the same as relapse and may lead to discharge.

If you seem intoxicated and there is no medical reason, staff may put you on a last chance contract regarding undetectable substance use. If it happens again, you may be discharged.

Clients must take breath, urine, and swab tests right away when staff ask. Clients must also allow searches (of person and living areas) right away when asked.

If you cannot give a urine sample, you must stay in the lobby and drink water until you can.

Trying to cheat a test will lead to discharge. Refusing a test may also lead to discharge.

Do not use mouthwash or other products with alcohol. If you do and test positive, it will count as a positive result.

MRC takes clients to recovery meetings each week. You should try different meetings and find ones that help you.

You must build and use a recovery support group before moving to outpatient treatment. We believe a strong support group is necessary for recovery. That is why supports are required to graduate.

Each week, you must attend 3 self-help meetings. You can only get credit for 1 in-house meeting each week.

You must sign out when leaving MRC and sign back in when you return. Fill out all parts of the pass form.

Most passes must be approved by your counselor. If you need an escort, ask staff ahead of time.

Have your pass signed at your destination. If someone will not sign it, ask for proof like a business card or photo.

If you will be late, call staff as soon as possible. If you are less than one hour late without approval, you will receive a "No." If you are over one hour late you will receive a Major Intervention Report (IR). (If there is a valid reason why you were late, your “No” and Major IR may be removed).

Main pass types include:

• Business Pass for court, probation, and other important needs.
• Support Group Pass to spend time with approved recovery supports.
• Church/Worship Pass for approved worship services.
• Social Pass for level 3 and 4 clients.
• Recovery Meeting Pass for meetings.
• Medical/Emergency Pass for health needs.