New program builds communities oriented around sobriety and fun
Participants in Community Corrections receive coping tools and build mental habits to allow them to remain sober. They build relationships with other participants working to overcome addictions and mental health disorders as well as bond with the therapists during their time.
But what happens when they are released and no longer have access to those services or communities?
The Community Corrections Advisory Board heard of a potential new program, The Phoenix, which facilitates free activities for anyone to take part in to create holistic communities. These activities occur outside the justice system and are completely free for anyone to join in. The only requirement is that participants be 48 hours sober.
In Dubois County, more than half the encounters with local law enforcement involve some form of substance abuse — alcohol, prescriptions, or illegal drugs. These substances and mental health issues also impact recidivism and an individuals self-destructive tendencies.
Scott Garrison is a retired police officer who now serves as the Treatment Program Facilitator at Dubois County Community Corrections. He is also a Crossfit enthusiast.
“One of the things I noticed about the Crossfit model is the sense and the power of community amongst the members,” Garrison told the community corrections board Tuesday afternoon. “You have people working alongside each other that ordinarily would not have ever associated with each other for any other reason.”
He described working out in the gym and watching fellow officers sit down and talk to former felons; neither side knowing the other’s background.
“They just had a conversation like two guys hanging out,” Garrison said. “It was awesome to watch that kind of conversation, that kind of comraderie happen for people who wouldn’t ordinarily be in the same room together.”
He saw that this occured regardless of an individual’s ethnicity or socio-economic status.
As many individuals dealing with substance abuse or mental health issues report feelings of loneliness, these types of communities can help.
Building community around shared activities isn’t a new idea. Team Red, White and Blue, a veterans group centered around physical activity, does it very successfully. But a program that specifically builds communities for those dealing with substance abuse could be another tool outside the justice system to help create sustained, healthy changes in those individual’s lives.
According to Chris Spallina, program manager for The Phoenix, 87 percent of individuals taking part in The Phoenix programs self-report no substance abuse for up to three months after taking part in an event.
Spallina explained that in his own battle with substance abuse, these types of sustained community building programs have helped him tremendously.
Plus, since the programs offered through The Phoenix are open to anyone, the relationships build bridges to create a stronger overall community.
Along with providing special training for volunteers and potential trainers to build the program, The Phoenix operates an online presence to allow individuals to find activities they can take part in. They also operate an exercise-oriented app to facilitate fitness classes virtually.
There is no cost associated with The Phoenix other than the 48 hours of sobriety. The essential part of creating a successful program is finding community members and spaces to align with the mission and join in the process.
Although successful programs have been built around physical activity, The Phoenix doesn’t want to limit anyone’s access to be part of a community. They have even helped create communities around book and chess clubs.
Anyone who would like to help establish this program in Dubois County can contact Community Corrections at 812-482-2440 and ask for Scott Garrison or email him directly at bsgarrison@duboiscountyin.org.
