| ARP/Phoenix
program serves of mothers in addiction recovery
Nestled in a residential neighborhood near downtown
Asheville, Mary Benson House, an ARP/Phoenix program, offers
a nurturing and supportive environment for pregnant and parenting
women who are striving to break the cycle of addiction.
According to Sister Maria Goretti Weldon, program participants
can stay at Mary Benson House for up to one year, and approximately
seven women and 12 children reside there now. “Mary Benson
House has become a special part of my ministry,” says
Sister Maria Goretti, “because this is exactly the type
of ministry that Catherine McAuley would have been a part of--reaching
out to women and children in need. Substance abuse is big problem
in our society, and this program provides an opportunity for
addicted mothers who are pregnant to deal with their substance
abuse issues so that their children will be born healthy and
drug free.”
Staffed by a team of experienced professionals, including substance
abuse counselors and a 24-hour residential staff, Mary Benson
House offers participants a continuum of supportive programs,
including:
- Long-term
residential treatment program
- Medical
services
- Counseling
for women
- Parenting
skills
- Assistance
with employment
- Education
- Housing
ARP/Phoenix
is a subsidiary of Sisters of Mercy Urgent Care, Inc. and supervises
more than 15 addiction treatment programs across North Carolina.
Facts about Mary Benson House program
participants (1997)
- 71%
of the women were pregnant at admission and 82% were single
mothers
- Thirty
percent of the clients were African American, 12% Native American
and 58% white.
- None
of the women were employed and 76% had not continued their
education beyond high school.
- Sixty
percent were receiving public assistance, 94% were living
below the poverty line, and 47% were homeless.
- None
had private insurance, 82% were receiving Medicaid.
- Fifty-nine
percent had current criminal justice status.
- All
(100%) reported that they had been victims of physical, social
or emotional abuse at some time in the past.
- Sixty
five percent of the women self-reported having used alcohol,
59% crack cocaine, 35% cocaine, 29% marijuana, 6% heroin,
and 95% nicotine in the 90 days prior to admission.
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