MISSION
STATEMENT:
“It
is the Mission of the ASA Organization
to provide a setting in which individuals beset
with substance abuse problems can turn
their life around and become responsible
self supporting mature citizens“.
The Purpose of A Spiritual
Abode, Inc. Is:
To provide a setting in which
individuals beset with substance abuse and
dependency problems can turn their lives
around and become responsible
self-supporting mature
citizens.
We assist recovering individuals during the
transition to sober life by providing:
1. Room and board in a family home with a
country like atmosphere.
2. An environment free of alcohol, drugs, and
mind altering chemicals .
3. Opportunities to actively participation in a
structured Twelve Step Recovery Program.
4. Development of personal hygiene and health
oriented habits.
5. Encouragement to pursue spiritual growth.
6. Opportunities to perform community
services, pursue gainful employment and develop social skills.
7. Provide treatment and counseling that is
specified towards recovery.
ASA Residency:
The residents of ASA live in a family type
setting with traditional country style values. They are required to participate
in treatment and in an outside Twelve-Step Recovery Program to maintain their
residency. Our treatment counselors are trained dedicated staff who conduct our
group treatment and individual counseling programs. Each client is given the
opportunity to obtain outside work as soon as they are able to commit to their
program. Total abstinence from mind altering chemicals, spiritual growth, and
responsibility is strongly emphasized in the daily routine of the house. The ASA staff, which is made up of
detox attendants, counselors, and the executive
director, supervise all house activities. Each resident participates in the daily
cleaning, food preparation, and general maintenance of the house.
A
COMMUNITY AFFAIR:
The
Santa Maria Drug Court Program along with the Santa Barbara County Judicial
System recognizes the awful impact of substance abuse in the community.
They have done much to further the treatment and rehabilitation of those
brought before them.
ASA’s and Recovery Point’s Santa Maria based detoxification
units, has also contributed greatly to further the effort to exposing
individuals to recovery from the awful diseases of alcohol and drug addiction.
We truly owe a debt of gratitude to these local community services.
However there is a missing link needed for a complete working solution
to this dilemma.
The
“missing link” is where do these individuals go and what do they do
after court and or detoxification.
The sad truth is that many, or indeed most of them, have no place to go
except back to the environment that contributed so much to their downfall.
If an intensive follow up program is not available then most will
eventually wind up back in court or worse.
ASA is the “missing link” that offers individuals a chance
to live in an alcohol and drug free environment and to turn their lives around.
There have been other resident recovery homes but they have suffered
greatly because of lack of community support, the absence of a structured
environment, and treatment oriented to recovery.
In fact most of them, do not last long because of their lack of structure
and supervision.
Two
individuals who recognize this came forward and founded ASA in June of 2000.
However without financial and physical support from their friends,
neighbors and the community at large, they could not exist.
ASA is a non-profit public benefit corporation and as such is literally
dependant upon the contributions from the community at large.
Please understand anything that you, as an individual or a business, can contribute
will not only help insure success but come back to each and every one of us.
Laboring Together
By Gussie
Manos
“We
Admitted” is a Powerful, Spiritual, Universal Truth. This principle shined the
light on the reality of destruction I’d been living for fifteen years
On
June 9th, 1981 a moment of clarity arrived standing in a bathroom of
a mobile home. I came to out of a blackout from the night before to fine glass
broken everywhere. In that mirror was a horrifying reflection of two black eyes
and a walking dead person. Suddenly!! I was no longer a victim of him, my
past, or my self-delusions. The truth was, I was very sick, I needed help!! The
depth of that Truth scattered my “Victim Role” that totally justified (in my
mind) the insane alcoholic/addict lifestyle that was destroying me and my
family. It was always somebody else’s fault. I walked from the bathroom to the
telephone to call my mother, she asked, “ Do you want me to come and take you to a
recovery meeting?” I stated, “NO, I have to do this alone!!”
From
That
Moment To This One, March 2005, I Can Do Nothing Alone!
How
can this be? Honesty, Open Mindedness, and Willingness, These three basic
principles started the process of recovery for a person who was raised by an
atheist. The word God was repelling to me at first. I could handle GOD (Group Of
Drunks) and then evolved to GOD. (Good Orderly Direction) In recovery they
suggested for me to follow a path that would introduce me to a power that was
greater than Gussie, that could solve my problem. The path surrounded me with
people that were God’s agents. Their unconditional love and hard truth
supported me while developing a personal relationship with a higher power that
has restored me from a seemingly helpless state of mind and body. “Change your
Mind, Change your World.” I could not change my thinking with my own thinking,
I had to have God’s help, God’s agents.
ASA
is the Manifestation of the fellowship of an awesome God. He moved through so
many. In June 2000 ASA 1 was opened. I only had $2,250; a friend said that she
would match it. The non-profit papers had been in the works since December of
1999. I knew in the Spirit that ASA was coming! We had $5000 total. The lease was
first and last months rent $4000. We had nothing for the house. No furnishings,
nothing just a Spiritual dream. The two closest people in my life kept telling
me, “Don’t do it!! Here’s the business plan… look it’s in black and
white… It can’t work Gussie!” I kept telling them “I know.” As we gave
that realtor the four grand- I stated to everyone, “I know on paper this
can’t work, and if it does- everyone will know it was God.”
Our
first two residents came out of Detox. They were both homeless and had no money.
Three days later a man walked up and stated that one of the men had money, he
was with adult services… WOW! Suddenly everything we needed came. Our third
resident had a house full of furniture that she brought over. That week people
with funds came in. Our first recovery meeting was on June 9th, 2000.
Nineteen years to the day. I sat in that meeting so in awe of what God had
provided for all of us. It was beyond words.
In
November of 2000 ASA 2 opened, giving us a total of 27 beds. May of 2002 we
were Licensed & Certified by the State of California to provide Residential
Treatment & Detoxification services. WOW! I could fill pages and pages
on the Spiritual journey
we’ve experienced, but I’ll leave you with this.
II
Corinthians 6-1 “ Laboring together (as God’s fellow workers) with Him then,
we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain (that merciful kindness by
which God exerts His Holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping
and strengthening them) do not receive it to no purpose.
Please
Give as the spirit moves you. ASA's dream is to purchase a ranch with
housing and property to continue providing the atmosphere of "A Spiritual
Abode" a temporary resting place to heal our broken lives.
This
dream became a reality July 21,2005 WOW!!!
Sincerely,
Gustine
Manos,
Founder,
Executive
Director