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Spirit Keeper is in the process of accepting applications for new and ethusiastic Board Members. If you would like to learn more please contact the offices of SKYS to speak with either Len Untereiner or Sean Syrenne at 780-428-9299
Gang Safe House

Treatment

Introduction

There are numerous programs out in the world dedicated to treatment. They treat everything from emotional, social and educational issues. They use various treatment methodologies such as cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, problem-solving therapy, group therapy, family therapy and psycho-pharmacology. They deliver these therapies in many forms such as wilderness camps, residential homes, boarding schools, boot camps and equine farms. Further, these treatments can get very specific and deal with alcohol, drugs, and sex issues.

So treatment can and is a good thing.

This now leads use into the issue of Gang Safe House Treatment program.

Gang Safe House Treatment Program

First we provide a safe place to reside. This in it self will take time as we learn about their gang and any fears they might have and why and how to cope with them. This will entail some real-time open communication that will no doubt lead to strategies to keep everyone safe. Their kinship relationships will be an integral part of this process. These kinship relationships will carry on throughout the entire program.

Next comes the hard part - Resistance to Treatment.

Introduction

Once the residence and safety components are accomplished then comes the notion of personal change. People in general are comfortable with the problems they have and change is difficult.   In this way then treatment is difficult. So our first focus will be on the notion of resistance to change or treatment. By breaking down the resistance to change we open the door to treatment.

Here is what our program will be looking at from each individual resident perspective:

Social Stigma - they are here and they do not want to be thought of as providing information on their gang members.

Defiance - some young people are openly rebellious to adult assistance due to past negative adult interactions.

Poor insight – there is due to the gang life style a limited capacity on their part to look at themselves realistically. They also feel unworthy of anyone outside of the gang life liking them for themselves.

Fear - young people from gang life sometimes fear that they are “crazy” or have serious mental problems or addictions and they cannot change. They will hold on to their problems as they can understand them. In this way they believe they have control of their lives and the fear subsides.

Embarrassment - some have shame that they cannot help themselves and must seek others support.

Denial - some will have an inability to face their problems.

Misconceptions - some will have a total misunderstanding of their reality.

Concealment - some will try to hide their issues.

So What Do We Do

House program

  • up every day at a set time
  • set routines in the morning
  • but we add the mandatory daily focus group before school/work/treatment

School/Work is looked upon as therapy.

End of every day there is Mandatory Goal reviews with each resident.

Evening - mandatory leisure, recreation and/or spirituality.

The Third Step

Once some insight has been gained then we will look at programs for special issues such as alcohol, drugs and sexual problems.