Options Recovery
|
Options Recovery Services mission is to break the cycle of addiction which causes home-lessness, crime and broken families. We believe that to be successful, services must be open to anyone and immediately available. We also believe that treatment for alcohol and drug dependency is a human right, regardless of the ability to pay.
Our goal is to implement and promote an inner-city model for comprehensive addiction treatment and clean and sober living for a lifetime that can be replicated in other inner-city communities. Our vision is that one day, society will deal effectively and compassionately with addiction and recovery. Every drug dependent person will have easy and immediate access to addiction treatment and recovery support services with a resultant decrease in crime, homelessness and family dysfunction. Please, check out the Options’ website at www.optionsrecoveryservices.com to see the miracles Options produces in community. Options now has recovery centers in Berkeley, San Leandro, West Oakland, and Concord, with a center soon to open in Richmond, providing state of the art services for addicts. |
|
|
HISTORY: Options was begun by Dr. Davida Coady, author of “The Greatest Good,” in 1997. In 1998, Tom Gorham, who was to become Davida’s husband, joined the Options staff, and, in 1999, Peg Miller, a member of St. Timothy’s, joined the Options staff of four. In the Lenten Series of 2000, Davida and Tom presented at St. Timothy’s, and Patti Farris felt God’s call to support Options in furnishing their first of now 10 transitional houses. Our congregation showed its generosity. Donations filled the parish hall, and we rented a truck to move all of the things we provided, including toilet paper. Patti has been the “go to” person for innumerable items needed for transitional houses and/or individual clients. Options has been the recipient of Outreach grants from FOTH since 2000, and, in return, Options has always provided speakers to deliver sermons and workshops to educate our congregation about addiction and recovery.
OFFENDER MENTOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM: In 2006, a group of inmates from San Quentin asked Options to train them, lifers, who at that time, would never get out of prison, to be certified Drug and Alcohol Counselors. By 2008, the State of California’s Department of Correction of Rehabilitation, e.g. the state prison system, asked Options to provide that program called the Offender Mentor Certification Program (OMCP) now in 9 California prison. The men and women who complete this program, not only heal from the trauma in their lives, but become Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors, who are granted parole, and work outside of prison. They are so grateful to be out and able to give back. These counselors have been described as “the best drug and alcohol counselors on the planet.” To date, Options has trained over 1,000 counselors, many of whom provide alcohol and drug treatment in all California prisons. |
“THE 50” - In 2022, a documentary was made, entitled “The 50.” It is an excellent film about the creation of the Offender Mentor Program and the prisoners who went through the program to become counselors. The film details the trauma that they endured in their lives and the rehabilitation they received with this program. It demonstrates the recovery and redemption that is for all of us. This film was shown in March 2024 in our Parish Hall with 5 special guests from the program and the Executive Director of Options Recovery Services who all spoke to us after the film. This event was sponsored by the Social Justice committee. It was an unforgettable experience and we gave them a standing ovation. The film is available for viewing on Amazon Prime video. As a community, we are known as an “outreach church.” Before many of us aged out, St. Timothy’s used to prepare a meal for Options’ staff and clients for their graduations. We prepared Shepherd’s Pie casseroles in our church kitchen and delivered it to Berkely to Options’ downtown site to serve at least 200 people. The folks at Options said about St. Timothy’s, “Now that is a church.” If you would like to learn how you can become involved simply go to the website at www.optionsrecoveryservices.com or call Options at 510 666-9552, and ask for Porter, the Director of Development, or Barbara, for ways you can help.
LOVE & SERVICE: Beyond the generosity of St. Timothy’s, in terms of goods and services, the prayer support we provide for all of our Outreach ministries, like the “mustard seed,” while small, turns our supported ministries into giant trees of growth and miracles. We have been known by our love and service, which continues to make a difference for so many people.
Thank you, St. Timothy’s, for your faithful and loving service. Peg M and Patti F, liaisons for Options Recovery Services
LOVE & SERVICE: Beyond the generosity of St. Timothy’s, in terms of goods and services, the prayer support we provide for all of our Outreach ministries, like the “mustard seed,” while small, turns our supported ministries into giant trees of growth and miracles. We have been known by our love and service, which continues to make a difference for so many people.
Thank you, St. Timothy’s, for your faithful and loving service. Peg M and Patti F, liaisons for Options Recovery Services
