New England Aftercare Ministries

CONTACT:

P.O. Box 136
Framingham, MA 01704
508 872 - 6194, x105
www.thebridgehouse.org

Thomas J. Stevens III, Executive Director

DESCRIPTION:

Incorporated in 1984, NEAM is a residential program committed to reducing recidivism and relapse for chemically dependent individuals, many of whom have been previously incarcerated and/or homeless - a deeply stressed and at-risk population. Its strategy is gradually to substitute positive beliefs in self and God for negative, self-destructive addictions. Its core values are "respect, responsibility, self-reliance and faith", which are nourished in the residential housing program, in finding and keeping gainful employment, and in rejoining the community as productive citizens. This program accepts clients that other recovery homes might reject due to their criminal and substance abuse histories and psychiatric disorders, yet the success rate is comparable to other recovery homes. Much of NEAM's success is attributable to the longer length of contact and support provided in a residential treatment program, though obviously this limits the numbers of participants. Studies of the effectiveness of alcohol and drug treatment have found that longer lengths of stay in treatment have deeper and more lasting effects. If you care about saving lives, this is a charity you should certainly consider; they have undertaken one of the most difficult missions, and are good at it.

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)