Having The Courage to Change provides structured transitional living to women who seek to recover from life-controlling behaviors. Its holistic approach offers discipleship, life-skills training and individualized treatment in a local residential setting.

Our vision is to see people free from the destructive forces in their lives and to equip them to reach and challenge others to attain wholeness.

The program offers:

• Bible Study
• Church Involvement
• Individual and Group Counseling
• Exercise and Nutrition Training
• Financial Counseling
• Work Therapy
• Parenting Skills Training
• Recreational Activities
• Volunteer Opportunities

The Process

Having The Courage to Change is not a time-oriented process but a goal-oriented process. Although a typical stay is twelve to twenty-four months, the manner in which a participant meets the goals of her treatment plan determines the length of stay.

As the participant meets the goals in each phase she will be given opportunities for employment, education and aftercare. Completing this process will require a strong commitment to personal growth and behavior change. Each participant is supported by the staff through prayer, counseling and personal accountability.

Who can enter the program?

The program is designed to serve people of diverse backgrounds with equally diverse needs. We serve women with multiple problems such as substance abuse, prostitution, homelessness, pregnancy, job instability, abusive relationships, criminal justice, parole and court ordered issues.

Admission to the program is limited by the following factors:

• Individuals only. Visitation with children, spouses, family members and other sources of social support may be arranged.
• While we strive to maintain confidentiality, physical protection or complete anonymity cannot be assumed as in the case of a Safe House.
• Admittance is done on an individual basis.
• Participants may not be employed during the first phase of the process. Eligibility to begin employment will be determined on an individual basis.

An Invitation To Partnership

Having the Courage to Change desires to serve and assist other agencies already on the front-lines of helping people. The program provides a place to refer clients who otherwise may not get the long-term holistic and spiritual attention they need to succeed.

We invite your organization to help hurting and homeless women in our city by partnering with us in the following ways:

• Refer clients that come to you for assistance who are in need of the services we provide.
• Offer our program participants access to your services such as participation in weekly meetings, invitations to special events, outings, and educational workshops.
• Recommend volunteers to serve the program in speaking and mentoring roles.
• Help spread the word to other related organizations.

For more information about the program, partnership with the ministry, or to make a referral please contact Director, Lucreta Bowman at 513-345-1082 or lbowman@citygospelmission.com.

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