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T.H.E. PROGRAM OVERVIEW
(last update: 9/30/07)
Summary of Services:
Inpatient, 28 day rehabilitation
Alternatives to incarceration
Alternatives to sentencing serving upstate New York, with Honor Court programs now in fourteen counties
Transitional State-certified and independent housing
Permanent affordable housing throughout the state
Alcohol and
Drug Outpatient facilities such as the Eleanor Young Clinic in Albany, Sutphin Boulevard outpatient
clinic
in New York City and Baywood outpatient clinic in Glens Falls
Community reintegration (halfway houses and supportive living services) throughout the state
Offender re-entry services
Vocational
Job Training such as culinary arts, motel and restaurant operations, building maintenance and
computer applications
Job Placement / Retention / Job Coaching
Commercial and business ventures - full operating motel complexes in Menands and Syracuse
Cafeterias and deli
HIV / AIDS services, HIV prevention intervention in Correctional Facilities and housing
Education, Adult Basic, Pathways to Independence for college students
Homeless Shelter in Brooklyn
Parole shelters in Albany, Syracuse, Schenectady, and Queens
Emergency shelter services in Queens, Albany, Menands, Schenectady, and Syracuse
Veterans Residential Programs in Albany and Syracuse
Clothing Bank in Brooklyn
Overview
The Altamont Program Inc., in conjunction with its sister corporation, 820 River St., Inc., is an integrated network formed to meet the historical, regulatory and business requirements of not-for-profit corporations. Together with the voluntary efforts of the Board of Directors, Father Peter G. Young is able to operate and maintain in-patient, outpatient, residential facilities and counseling and evaluation programs which provide programs of treatment and rehabilitation daily for more than 3,000 persons afflicted with the illness of alcoholism and substance abuse. The program also offers as well as a wide range of vocational, educational and employment training programs and aftercare housing.
The Altamont Program Inc., under the direction of Father Peter G. Young and his staff, has over forty years experience in the field of addiction and in the area of criminal justice. A pioneer in alcohol treatment, Father Young's vision was realized when he developed the first alcohol crisis center and extended care unit in New York State. Later in the 1970's, working within the New York State Correctional Services, Father Young's vision was yet again reinforced when he founded the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment program within the New York State Department of Corrections. Although the program has served as a model for treatment, Father saw that many participants were paroled with a foundation of recovery but without job or housing opportunities. These participants would quickly resort to doing what they knew best to survive on the streets. The result would be relapse, eventual re-incarceration and the continued overcrowding of the prison system.
A response to this problem was that the New York State Education Department, Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID), working with the Altamont Program, developed an ex-offender pilot program for criminal justice clients in recovery. It provides a vocational component for the return of the ex offenders to the community as part of a pre-release planning process. Our history in the provision of vocational training and job placement with Albany county dates back to 1988 and we have had successive contracts. The Altamont Program since 1997, has employment contracts with the Albany County Department of Social Services for both TANF and Safety Net recipients.
The Altamont Program's extended treatment, vocational and housing and services for addicted criminal justice clients developed into the Three Legged Stool concept for recovery known has T.H.E. Program. The necessary glide path on which clients move back into society required not only the prerequisite first step of entering recovery, "T" for treatment, but also housing, "H," and employment, "E". These three together give an individual the support services they needed to maintain their recovery and to gain the life skills that allow them to take control of their own lives. The program provides the tools necessary for an individual to become self-empowered to enter society. Attention to program effectiveness has produced a four-year post-graduate recidivism rate of less than ten percent for ASAT graduates who completed our programs between 1988- 1992.
One of the principle goals of our program is to assist the addicted client to recover from their illness of addiction. We consider addiction to be an illness and therefore practice treatment interventions within the disease model framework. Consistent with this philosophy is the fundamental goal of assisting individuals to achieve abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and at the same time offer educational and vocational opportunities that will lead to employment.
Altamont's programs target both men and women involved in the criminal justice system and offer
1) Pre-sentencing; 2) Alternative sentencing; 3) Alternative to Incarceration treatment services; 4) Residential community reintegration services to work release eligible participants from the New York State Department of Correctional Services who have completed the Comprehensive Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment (CASAT) Program; 5) Parolees.
The program's success in reducing recidivism in its paroled population to less than 10% can be attributed to Father Young's dedication and vision. This comprehensive model is built on the 12 Step fellowship and educational model. These principles teach individuals how to build a life on sobriety and freedom from addictive substances. The aftercare programs offer linkage to the community resources. They are a positive stabilizing transition to encourage continued recovery and maintenance of employment.
Over the years, we have found it difficult for single parents, especially mothers, to access treatment services. First, denial of alcohol or other drug abuse is common in chemically involved families. In addition, parents may minimize the extent of their drug or alcohol use or deny relapses because of fears that their children will be removed from their custody. Father Young's vision has incorporated the needs of families, women and children who represent an important and expanding segment of people served by Eleanor House, a residence for women in recovery with children.
Those involved in the criminal justice system normally return to their families and to their drug addicted lifestyle and neighborhoods. Most of the time these friends and family members have enabled continued drug abuse and resultant interactions with the criminal justice system. The system developed by Peter G. Young provides an alternative, a commitment to recovery, an environment where fellow addicts can work toward similar goals of abstinence, employment and self determination. While many of our clients have succeeded in their task of overcoming years of addiction, we feel that they have succeeded in more important ways. They have demanded of themselves that they care not only about their own success in life, but that they care about honesty, integrity and the values that make a community.
Other Programs Administered by Altamont Program, Inc.
1. Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives
The Honor Court Program receives funding through the New York State Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives to provide quick, cost effective, responsible intervention to treatment to persons who face incarceration. To the courts it offers immediate alcoholism assessment, a complete guarantee of chemical abuse evaluation with recommendation and beginning of treatment by the next adjournment date of the court. Honor Court serves Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Montgomery County Jails, and the courts of Albany City, Albany County, Bethlehem, Colonie, Cohoes City, Saratoga, Rensselear County, Rensselear City, Troy City and Montgomery.
The Altamont II Program is also funded through the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. The goal of this program is to reduce overcrowding, and/or unnecessary incarcerations in Onondaga, Oneida, Warren, Washington, Fulton, Montgomery and Westchester counties by presenting a program model for a short term, residential alternative to incarceration for drug-involved and alcohol-involved pretrial detainees and convicted offenders who would otherwise be sentenced to 30 days or more and who would not otherwise receive any rehabilitative services.
2. AIDS Institute Criminal Justice Initiative
The HIV Peer Education and Outreach Program targets criminal justice clients in selected County and New York State Correctional Facilities and parolees in the community. Activities focus on AIDS overview, general risk reduction and advanced risk reduction. The Altamont Program also receives funding to provide inmates with train-the-trainer HIV/AIDS Education in selected New York State Correctional Facilities. A third AIDS Institute Initiative, The HIV/AIDS Intervention, Prevention and Continuity of Care Demonstration Project for Young Offenders, targets the under 21 population in Office of Children and Family Services Group Homes and Greene and Coxsackie Correctional Facility.
3. New York State Department of Education
Funding through the New York State Department of Education, Vocational Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). The goal of the vocational program is to establish job training, life skills and interviewing techniques that result in meeting the needs of clients who suffer from the disease of addiction The vocational program is housed in two locations, the Schuyler Inn in Menands and the LeMoyne Manor in Syracuse, NY These facilities are operational hotels and provide both classroom and on-the-job training in culinary arts, hotel/restaurant operations, building maintenance and computer applications.
The Altamont Program received certification to operate vocational training and job placement programs by the New York State Department of Education, Vocational Educational Services For Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) in 1988.
All residents are required to receive a high school equivalency diploma and are trained in a marketable skill. The minimum stay at the Altamont Program is one year. During this time, residents learn the interpersonal, social survival skills, along with the attitudes, values, and self esteem necessary to live in the mainstream of society, drug free, successfully, and legitimately.
Hundreds of men and women have graduated into society as taxpaying citizens leading successful lives including: state workers, counselors, accountants, hotel management, lobbyists, and entrepreneurs. We have accomplished all this through our Wounded Healer philosophy. This is based on the belief that those suffering from addictions, who have succeeded in recovery, can best extend their hand to the next person and help them begin the process.
The VESID program's success is based upon a case management approach to employment. Staff work with clients on a one to one basis in assessing skill, interest, developing personal action plans to meet individual career goals, providing appropriate referrals to educational services and to meet social needs, and identifying concrete job opportunities. It addresses the severe fragmentation that characterizes treatment programs and workforce preparation. It sets standards for recovery and competency that must be met before a participant completes the program.
The fast track, job placement service for VESID builds upon job skills that an individual has demonstrated and provides employment opportunities in a variety of occupations. In addition, we have a contract with VESID to provide vocational training for Rikers Island enrollees.
The Altamont Program also receives funding through the New York State Education Department, Adult Education Act to provide life employment skills training. The Adult Basic Education curriculum identifies and describes math and reading skills essential to a workplace literacy program for participants in the vocational programs. Initially these vocational programs focused on academic achievement in the hope that an increase in the client's educational abilities would lead to heightened self esteem, increased employability and an enhanced potential for a positive adjustment m the community. We soon realized that while increased educational skills were essential for a client's success, there similarly existed a critical need for marketable skills to increase the potential for a positive adjustment in the community.
In a time when educational programs have been cut in correctional facilities and from public assistance programs, Pathways To Independence was established in 1997 to assist qualified Altamont Program graduates in accessing professional career training and higher education opportunities that will bring them to economic self-sufficiency. The program operates in cooperation with the cooperation with the College of St. Rose. A counseling and learning center is located on the college campus with donated professional assistance, including use of a computer lab from college resources before and after admission and matriculation.
4. New York State Department of Labor
The Altamont Program operates an HIV Welfare to Work Program. The Altamont Program is the lead agency in the facilitation of a comprehensive consortium that consists of Albany Medical Center AIDS Treatment Program, Catholic Charities and The Albany City School District Adult Learning Center. The project includes medical, psychological care, case management, housing, day care vocational training, job placement, retention and transportation. The target population is individuals who are infected with HIV/AIDS and are social service recipients in the counties of Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga.
5. Albany County Department of Social Services
Emergency Shelter Services
The Altamont Program provides emergency shelter services, Contract 99-6-614-0003, at the Schuyler Inn to individuals and families only on an overflow basis pending the availability of an appropriate placement in a congregate emergency shelter facility. The Altamont Program accepts
referrals only from Travelers AID Society of the Capital District or the Department of Social Services on an emergency basis. Admissions are accepted on a 24 hour, 7 day a week basis.
Transitional Shelter Services
The Altamont Program provides transitional housing services to single adults who are eligible for public assistance reimbursement through Albany County. These individuals have had difficulty maintaining sobriety and independence in an unsupervised living situation. The program includes the following basic components: assessment and intake, individual counseling and referral services, mandated groups, elective groups, life skill workshops, on site 12-Step meetings, community meetings, adult basic education, vocational assessment and job training opportunities.
SRO Support Services
The Altamont program provides supportive services to its tenants in 11 rental units through Contract 99-6070-0014. The population served are persons in recovery who are otherwise homeless and can best benefit from the housing and services offered by the Altamont Program and its affiliate organizations.
Comprehensive Employment Service Agreement
Our history in the provision of vocational and job placement with Albany County dates back to 1988 and we have had successive contracts. The Altamont Program since 1997, has employment contracts with the Albany County Department of Social Services for both TANF and Safety Net recipients. In fiscal year 1998-99 we placed fifty-five (55) individuals into full time employment.
6. Onondaga County Social Services
The Altamont Program has a contract with Onondaga County Department of Social Services to provide transitional housing and Jobs Plus activities. The programs are based primarily at the LeMoyne Manor and Banquet Facility in Liverpool.
7. Housing
Recognizing the progressive nature of the disease we anticipate the need for feasibility as some clients may be in early stages and others in the later Stages of the illness While identifying the need for flexibility, we concurrently acknowledge The need for a supportive structured environment for participants that will act as a stabilizing influence The goal is to offer drug and alcohol free housing that will enhance the effectiveness of our treatment and result in employment opportunities The primary concern is recovery. Without sobriety a person cannot function to their fullest potential nor make the sound decisions necessary to core with the stress and demands of our society What has made us unique is our concentration on the addicted social service population in not just providing a bed (shelters) or treatment (halfway houses) but a long-term commitment to creating tax paying citizens.
PYHIT offers transitional and permanent housing opportunities to program participants. We have shelter beds located at the Schuyler Inn, Menands, NY, the LeMoyne Manor, Liverpool, NY, and Crandall Street, Glens Falls, NY. In Albany, we lease 75 units through Albany Public Housing Authority and manage 120 units for VESTA Community Housing Development Board. In Syracuse and Troy, we lease an additional 50 units of housing through Troy Public Housing Authority and Onondaga Public Housing Authority. In addition we oversee housing specific to the needs of individuals infected with HIV/AIDS.
PYHIT also offers the following services:
1. TRANSITIONAL HOUSING
The Altamont Program provides housing at a social service rate that is negotiated with the following counties: Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Hudson, Ulster, Orange, Columbia/Greene, Dutchess, Westchester, Suffolk, Putnam, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan, Warren/Washington, Monroe, and Onondaga.
2. VOCATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND EMPLOYMENT:
Pre Employment Skills: Classroom activities include: resume writing, job search strategies, and interviewing techniques. In addition workshops are conducted by staff and guest speakers. Topics include: The Hidden Job Market, Financial Aid for School, Certificate of Release, Certificate of Good Conduct, Questions an Employer can or cannot ask, Ex-offender Rights, Bonding for Employment, Dressing for Success, and Communication Skills.
Job Holding and Advancing Skills: The curriculum covers positive work habits, behavior patterns, attitudes, problem solving skills, effective communication with supervisors, utilization of team work, money management, and time management.
Culinary Arts: This course offers introductory and Apprenticeship curriculum. It includes menu planning, sanitation and regulations, nutrition, and all phases of food preparation.
Hospitality: The course offers front desk operation, night audit, maintenance, banquet services, housekeeping, and computerized hospitality.
Retail Training and Entrepreneurship Skills: The Retail Training Center is equipped with computerized learning stations connected to a Local Area Network (LAN). The course content includes: business plans, basic accounting cycle, credit and banking, payroll, taxes and cash flow, stocking and ordering merchandise, floor space allocation, display and merchandising, marketing and public relations, safety, and security.
Adult Basic Education: The curriculum identifies and describes math and reading skills essential to a workplace literacy program for participants in the vocational programs. For example, food service workers read from industry related textbooks and work on math problems that build on their knowledge of the culinary arts. The curriculum also gives the learner a flexible framework for strengthening reading and math skills in a context that suits the learner.
Parenting: Family issues and concerns consume the bulk of the incarcerated person's energy and emotional strength. Too often they are a woman who is the head of a single parent household and the situation affects the quality of life of her uprooted children. Both men and women who have been victims of violence need to be educated about the effects of violence on their children. The majority of our clients have not had proper child care models themselves and the only type of parenting known is destructive. Parenting classes, values clarification and role playing exercises help prepare program participants to assume the care giver role.
Altamont Industries: Individuals participating in vocational programming are provided with both classroom instruction and on the job training activities. The Altamont Program provides both on the job training activities and employment through its Industries Program. The Altamont Program owns and operates two hotels, The Schuyler Inn and LeMoyne Manor.
3. HIV PEER OUTREACH AND EDUCATION
The Altamont Program provides HIV Peer Education and Outreach that targets the Department of Correctional Services HUB #1 - #7. This program is funded by the AIDS Institute under its criminal justice initiative. The presentations focus on AIDS overview, general risk reduction and advanced risk reduction and is sixty minutes in length. Through a complimentary federal grant administered by the AIDS Institute, the Altamont Program trains to inmates in targeted New York State Correctional Facilities to present HIV\AIDS Education as peers.
4. NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND CORRECTIONAL ALTERNATIVES DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
This project has been funded for the past seven years to reduce overcrowding and/or unnecessary incarceration in selected jurisdictions in New York State. Its goal is to present THE Program model for short term residential alternative to convicted offenders who would otherwise be sentenced to thirty days or more and would not otherwise receive any rehabilitative services.
5. PETER G. YOUNG SHELTER
Currently a 150 bed emergency facility providing shelter to clients referred through the NYC Department of Homeless Services. Application pending to become a licensed transitional residence for homeless services for 150 clients referred through DHS.
6. NEW YORK CITY CLOTHING BANK
Solicits donated clothing from retailers and manufacturers for distribution to network of 200 not-for-profit agencies in New York City. Distributes over $10 million worth of clothing annually to 250,000 individuals and families.
7. RESIDENTIAL STABILIZATION PROGRAM
To provide to newly released parolees residential and referral services in an environment that is supportive to their ongoing readjustment to community life, to provide such services at times of crisis, as determined by NYS Division of Parole staff, protection from dangerous sources, and help in developing positive skills and in a drug free environment, to provide homeless parolees short term residential and referral services to further the general purposes of parole supervision. Currently located at three sites: Liverpool, NY (10 beds), Queens, NY (10 beds), and Albany NY (9 beds).
TREATMENT SERVICES
Altamont House Twenty Eight Day Rehabilitation Unit was created to reduce overcrowding and/or unnecessary incarceration in county jails. It offers a short-term residential alternative to incarceration for offenders with multiple chemical abuse problems, who would otherwise be sentenced to 30 days or more and to parole violators.
The Honor Court Program provides cost effective responsible treatment to persons who face incarceration. To the courts it offers immediate alcoholism assessment, a complete guarantee of chemical abuse evaluation with recommendation and beginning of treatment by the next adjournment date of the court. Long waiting lists exist in treatment facilities but this program monitors a clients progress through initial detox, or approach to social services, to satisfy the courts requirement for an individuals release. The court's demand and Honor Court's response has made it a priority to start the client in treatment on the day of referral by the judge.
The Matchmaker Unit offers services for individuals incarcerated in County Correctional Facilities. A Credentialed Alcoholism Counselor offers assessment and referral services for inmates who are incarcerated in Albany, Montgomery, and Rensselaer County Correctional facilities. An individualized service plan is developed in cooperation with a community based agency. Alcohol and substance abuse education is provided within the jail setting.
OASAS requires that all residential treatment programs ensure that clients have a continuing treatment plan (aftercare) with a community based service provider. The Outpatient Clinic was established in 1993 to guarantee continuity of care to clients who had completed residential treatment.
The 820 River St. Halfway House and Supportive Living Facility provides a structured environment for persons without suitable alternatives who are receiving care in our Eleanor Young Memorial Outpatient Clinic. All Eight Twenty River St. programs are certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
TREATMENT PROGRAMS - certified by NYS OASAS
Altamont House Inpatient Program - 30 Bed Capacity (Men/Women)
Halfway House, Troy - 22 Bed Capacity (Men)
Halfway House, Glens Falls - 21 Bed Capacity
Halfway House, Granville - 15 Bed Capacity (Women)
Supportive Living, Troy - 50 Bed Capacity (Men/Women)
Supportive Living, Glens Falls - 21 Bed Capacity (Men/Women)
Supportive Living, Albany - 15 Bed Capacity (Women)
Supportive Living, Utica - 11 Bed Capacity (Men)
Supportive Living, Queens - 14 Bed Capacity (Men/Women)
Eleanor Young Outpatient Clinic, Albany
Sutphin Boulevard Outpatient Clinic, Queens
Peter Young Shelter Outpatient Clinic, Brooklyn
Baywood Outpatient Clinic, Glens Falls
HOUSING:
VESTA Community Housing Development Board, Inc., and the Altamont Program were founded through the work of Father Peter G. Young. The fundamental principle of the programs founded by Father Young is to help individuals recover from the disease of drug and alcohol addiction. Therefore, the programs associated with Father Young practice treatment interventions within a disease model framework. Another principle consistent with this mission is the realization for the need of supportive, structured housing environments in which individuals may reside and which serve as a stabilizing influence in their lives.
These programs are based upon his experience in working for over forty years with persons in recovery from substance abuse and alcohol addictions. As the Chaplain at Mount McGregor Correctional Facility, Father Young first developed the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAT) program that eventually became a model for the New York State Correctional System. This program successfully served thousands of inmates across the state and enabled many to successfully reintegrate back into society.
During the course of his tenure at McGregor, he often overheard inmates, who were about to be released from prison, comment that they were, "all dressed up with no place to go." Although stung by the absolute hopelessness of this statement echoed by many in the state prison system, Father Young never gave up hope. This hope manifested itself during a viewing of the WWII movie, "Midway." As Father Young viewed the landing of a fighter plane on a large carrier, the concept of a "glidepath to recovery" came into being. Father Young's, "glidepath to recovery" addresses the obstacles to a successful recovery by providing guidance in the way of help, a place to stay, and a job.
This experience led to the development of the Altamont Program and subsequent programs collectively known today as, "Peter Young Housing, Industries and Treatment (PYHIT). The PYHIT system, composed primarily of VESTA Community Housing Development Board, Inc., the Altamont Program, Inc., and Eight Twenty River Street, Inc., embody the, "T.H.E." approach. Father Young describes this approach as the three legged stool of recovery: (T) treatment, (H) housing and (E) employment / education. This integrated system of care has allowed for the successful reassembling of so many broken lives across the state.
VESTA Community Housing Development Board, The Altamont Program, and Eight Twenty River Street, are ancillary 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations. Eight Twenty River Street, Inc., plays a vital role in that it operates halfway houses, licensed OASAS supported living apartments, and a variety of treatment programs. The Altamont Program fulfills the role of a management firm, managing and operating the VESTA properties on a daily basis, and job training/placement.
In combination these three programs are able to offer an integrated system of care of residential and outpatient treatment for substance abuse, educational opportunities, vocational training, job placement training, case management services, and a variety of housing options (supportive, transitional and permanent housing.) The constellation of services provided by these three programs is designed to provide a continuum of care, specific to homeless populations suffering from addictions and other disabilities, such as HIV/AIDS, mental illness, and traumatic brain disorders. Approximately 2000 individuals, ranging from 16 to 68 years old, receive a variety of support services and another 1000 receive access some type of housing on a daily basis throughout the year.
VESTA Community Housing Development Board, Inc.
Incorporated in 1982, VESTA was established to be the property development arm for all Father Young associated programs. VESTA serves as the umbrella organization, holding title to all housing program and service properties associated with VESTA, the Altamont Program, the Schuyler Inn, Eight Twenty River Street, etc. As set forth in its articles of incorporation, the primary purpose of VESTA is to restore individuals with addiction issues to their rightful role in society as responsible, respectful, working citizens who support their families. The goal of VESTA's housing program is to enhance the effectiveness of its treatment and employment programs by providing a programmatic framework necessary for a supportive community and to further our mission to create a community of recovering persons.
Thus, VESTA is dedicated to the development, implementation, and management of alcohol and drug free housing. It provides over three hundred and fifty (350) individuals and their families annually throughout New York State with transitional housing. In terms of housing, VESTA provides transitional, permanent, and low-income and moderate-income housing.
VESTA has a wealth of experience with local, state and federal funding programs which support housing. VESTA has received funding from the New York State Department of Social Services, Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP), and Housing and Urban Renewal (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) via the cities of Albany and Glens Falls. VESTA has accepted donated properties and currently have three in need of rehabilitation.
Since its existence, PYHIT programs have been located in predominately minority communities. In addition, VESTA and the Altamont Program have traditionally served predominately minority populations (African American and Hispanic/Latino). Approximately one-third are African American, one-third are Hispanic American, and the remaining third is Anglo-American. Approximately 25 percent of the total population served are women. A majority of this population are single women with young children. A significant portion of this population has been deemed "disabled" by government determination, e.g., social services, social security, etc. Father Young, his associated programs, and members of the Board of Directors are regarded as reliable and trustworthy fixtures in the communities in which they reside.
Over the years, VESTA has reached out to indigenous minority community based organizations and county social service agencies. VESTA has been a long time active participant in the HUD Consolidated Planning process as well as various task forces throughout the Capital District Region. The primary purpose of these planning bodies is to look at the housing needs of the homeless and special population groups.
VESTA provides a residential community environment that meets the needs of persons who are referred from area community assistance programs, jails, courts, parole, and other agencies. VESTA manages transitional housing and low and moderate income housing for program participants. VESTA and the Altamont Program, Inc. have considerable hands-on experience in the construction, rehabilitation, operation, and maintenance of a wide variety of properties at various locations throughout the State. We have treatment facilities in New York City, residential work release facilities in Buffalo, a number of supportive living and community residence facilities in and around the Capital district, two major commercial/hotel training operations and a large number of rental units of varying size at many points in between.
Providing housing is a vital and necessary component of the comprehensive treatment of those suffering from addiction. Persons in treatment require a safe and affordable residence in order to fully realize the goals of recovery and transition into the mainstream of society. However, to meet these goals, a housing program by definition cannot be self-sustaining. To work, housing must first be affordable. But due to the limits imposed by the Department of Social Services, the unique nature of our clientele, and the lack of funding for case management services to monitor clients, the cost to our program will always exceed that which is affordable to those persons in transition.
The principle goal of the established service network is to assist drug and alcohol offenders recover from the disease of addiction. We consider addiction to be an illness and therefore practice treatment interventions within the disease model framework. Consistent with this philosophy is the fundamental goal of assisting individuals to achieve abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.
Recognizing the progressive nature of the disease, we anticipated the need for flexibility since some individuals may be in early stages and others in the later stages of addiction. At the same time, we recognized the need for a supportive, structured environment for participants to reside that will act as a stabilizing influence. The goal of VESTA's housing program is to enhance the effectiveness of its treatment and employment programs and to further our mission which is to create a community of recovering persons.
VESTA provides a residential community environment that meets the needs of persons who are referred from area community assistance programs, jails, courts, parole, and other agencies. VESTA manages transitional housing and low and moderate income housing for program participants.
The transitional residences are modeled on the concept of "family" and the family values of tolerance, respect, cooperation, responsibility, sharing, and concern. Self esteem is restored through the exercise of responsibility, helping others, resocialization, and constructive pride in maintaining an alcohol and drug free living environment.
Our understanding of the HIV epidemic changed rapidly as its ravages spread through the growing injecting drug user population. In response, we had to react quickly by increasing the accessibility of services to participants who are HIV\AIDS infected. VESTA provides ten units of supportive housing and scattered site housing for individuals with HIV / AIDS related illness.
Transitional Shelter & SRO Housing
The programs are dedicated to the jail bound or departing persons who, because of drug and alcohol addiction have found their lives unmanageable. Transitional shelters are located in Menands, Schenectady, Glen Falls and Syracuse. The average length of stay is 12 weeks and during this time residents are participating in outpatient treatment and work experience.
Transitional Housing
The objective is to maintain transitional housing facilities for individuals participating in our treatment, vocational, and employment programs. Transitional residences are modeled on the concept of "Community" and the family values of tolerance, respect, cooperation, responsibility, sharing and concern. Self esteem is restored through the exercise of responsibility, helping others, resocialization and constructive pride in maintaining an alcohol and drug free living environment. The Altamont Program operates over 300 apartments.
CONCLUSION:
PYHIT's primary concern is recovery. Without sobriety a person cannot function to the fullest potential nor make the sound decisions necessary to cope with the stress and demands of our global society. What has made us unique is our concentration on the addicted criminal justice population in not just providing a bed (shelters) or treatment (halfway houses) but a long term commitment to treatment, housing and employment.
Our programs provide much more than housing and employment, it offers a comprehensive service network that reduces recidivism. While many of our participants have succeeded in their task of overcoming years of addiction, we feel that they have succeeded in more important ways. They have demanded of themselves that they care not only about their own success in life, but about the honesty, integrity and values that make a community.