Welcome

Get Involved

As of now, we are continuing to search for funds in order for Gemeinschaft to remain operational.

We are having an auction and spaghetti dinner on Saturday January 10, 2009 from 6-9pm. This event will be held at the Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center Auditorium (620 Simms Ave.); tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Gemeinschaft Home or at the door. Children 10 and under get in FREE.

We are continuously seeking donors in support of Gemeinschaft Home.

Effectiveness

Gemeinschaft Board of Directors

Gemeinschaft Home’s goal is to return responsible, law-abiding residents to their communities. Gemeinschaft employs case managers at a minimum ratio of one to every sixteen residents. These case managers teach responsibility and skills to residents to help their re-entry into the community.

Gemeinschaft has a collaborative relationship with the Virginia Department of Corrections and its Probation and Parole division in order to ensure successful completion of the residential and aftercare program.

Community-based correctional programs like Gemeinschaft Home offer a less expensive alternative to incarceration while still maintaining close supervision. The annualized cost per individual at Gemeinschaft is $20,020 while it costs the state a minimum of $35,000 per prison inmate yearly, excluding prison construction costs and maintenance expenses. 

Eligibility

The majority of our residents are referred from therapeutic communities (TC) within the Virginia Department of Corrections. Each case is reviewed individually. Only persons with a nonviolent, nonsexual criminal history and a history of substance abuse are referred to our facility.

Admission preference is given to TC applicants from the Shenandoah Valley and phase II and II TC candidates from correctional facilities with TC programs. 

Services

Gemeinschaft Home operates a 180-day residential program. New residents must sign a contract upon orientation agreeing to abide by the program's behavior code. All residents participate in maintaining the house and grounds and are expected to find and maintain full time employment.

Residents meet with their counselor case managers individually as needed and in groups on a daily basis and all residents continue to participate in a structured, disciplined program aimed at identifying and addressing problem areas.

Programs may include substance abuse counseling, 12-step classes, individual life skills counseling, career counseling, job training, financial management, educational programs, community service, family counseling, random alcohol and drug tests, and spiritual and ethical growth programs.