“It Works”- Treatment Centre for Chemically the Dependant. Celebrates Its 10^th Year  

Beginnings
Rene Francisco, who hailed from Ozamiz City had just finished his training as a counselor in one of the Treatment Centers for chemically dependent in Manila. He himself received help from the same Center before becoming a licensed counselor. His dream was to open a Treatment Center in Cebu (in the middle island of the Philippines).  At the National Convention for chemically dependents which he attended in 1997, he met Fr. Martin Ryan, MSSC.  In the course of their conversation they did not only find out that they both came from Ozamiz but also they discovered that  they had the same dream:  to establish a Treatment Center for men and women, young and old, especially those who have drinking problems and those who are involved taking in illegal drugs.  Something was silently budding after this encounter and sharing they had in the Convention.

 

 

 

 

 

  On April 2,  2007 the Treatment Center 
"It Works" will celebrate its 10th Anniversary

Columban Sister Regina Bernad who is a memeber of the team at the center.

Forming a Team

On returning to  to Ozamiz,  Fr. Martin and Rene made an inquiries regarding the needs in Ozamiz City.  Sr. Violeta Navarro, a member of a local Congregation in Ozamiz,  shared with them about the growing number of people in the city who were drug and alcohol dependents. This information  hastened their desire to respond to the growing problem in the city. Fr. Martin Ryan took another step after this. He approached Sister Regina Bernad and invited her to be part of this team.

Blessing of the first small rented house

On April 2, 1997, they found a small house in Talisay, Ozamiz City,   available for renting. They had to borrow  5000 pesos to rent the house that would become a small center – a place of treatment. This small place was blessed by Bishop Jesus Dosado. Sister Regina was invited to take charge of an hour meditation -  a part of the group’s schedules of activities.

“It Works” and its desired Programme

“It Works” is the name they gave for the place they found which was going to be a Center of Treatment for Chemically dependent people. It runs a 90  day live-in programme based on Minesota, USA model, that leans on 12 Steps Programme of Recovery of A.A. The Team put all their efforts together as they were just starting. Little by little people heard about this Center and they began to give donations in cash and in kind (food, furniture, e.g  beds and tables etc.) One client came in and others followed. News about the existence of this Center spread near and far, so there were more people coming in from the City, from the nearly town and from the other cities and even provinces.

Initial Source of Resources

Since the demand of this project was growing, they applied for funds to "Missio"  in Germany. Through the endorsement of the Archbishop Jesus Dosado,   Missio responded to the appeal. Other groups also started to give help like the Society of St. Columban and the Missionary Sisters of St. Columban. Many among the friends and relatives of the Columban Fathers in Ireland were among those who helped during the beginnings of this Center.

Expansion

In order to continue running this Center, they decided to charge the clients a certain amount.  Clients who had not financial resources to pay were never refused. The team  always found ways of looking for people who were willing to sponsor the expense of some clients during their treatment period.

When the number of clients became bigger, they had to look for a new place. The owner of the house they were aiming to rent did not want to take the risk of renting her house to this group, with her fear that it might be vandalized by the clients, but later she changed her mind.  She sold the house at a reduced price and this house had served the ministry for several years. In the recent years, in order to meet the present need in this ministry, the house needed to be reconstructed.

On- going Livelihood Projects

Fr. Martin Ryan continues to go around, inviting people to give some donations. Some activities are organized now and again in order to raise funds. With their joint effort, the Team was able to buy a  piece of land and build  a separate accommodation for female clients.

Within the Center, those clients who had reached the “after care” stage in the programme are encouraged to develop their skills through getting involved in the different livelihood projects like: carpentry, poultry, piggery, wood and metal shop, car wash, repair of vehicles and building side cars for the tricycles.

Within the 90-day programme, there is a  "Family Day". This time is devoted in giving therapy to the whole family, so that the family will come to understand the situation of their family member who is on rehabilitation. During this process, healing and reconciliation among the family members happen, as the client is helped in reconciling himself/herself to his/her own self and to God. This leads her/him to be able able to integrate himself/herself again to his/her community of origin and he/she becomes a productive member of the society.

In the Center, counselors are also trained among them. Eventually they become counselors in the Treatment Center in their own places. Through their commitment, they start and strengthen AA meetings in their localities when they go back to their communities.

“It Works” welcomes all people

The Center welcomes all people regardless of their religion/faith tradition. It recognizes the highest Being in every religion/faith tradition. They become brothers, sisters, and neighbors to one another as they participate in  the programme. Each one needs God and one another. Experiences prove that being alone in this kind of inner struggle, one can not overcome these forms of addictions. Transformation happens in the concrete experience of common concern and care for one another in the Center.

Those who successfully finish the programme continue to grow in their awareness and acceptance of self and of others. They develop a sense of belongingness as they return back to their families and communities. From time to time they visit the Center and as a way of maintaining this link, they participate in the Marathon meetings in their respective areas.  The National Convention which is held every 2 years is an occasion of renewal of commitment to self and to others. In cases of relapse among some former clients, they are always welcome and would always have a place for them in “It Works”.  As we celebrate these 10 years in this ministry, we give thanks to God and to all the people, who became God’s instrument in helping us in running the Center.

Sr. Regina Bernad

Ozamiz City, Philippines