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GEMEINSCHAFT HOME
All residents continue to participate in a structured, disciplined program aimed at identifying and addressing problem areas. This may include the following:
- Substance abuse counseling & 12 Step classes Individual life skills counseling
- Career counseling and job training
- Financial management Educational programs
- Community service work
- Family counseling
- Random alcohol and drug tests
- Spiritual and ethical growth
Gemeinschaft employs case managers and counselors at a minimum ratio of one to every sixteen residents (1:16). Residents meet with their counselor individually (as needed) and in-groups on a daily basis.
Persons interested in enrolling in Gemeinschaft Home may submit an application. To request an application, please send your request to:
Admissions
Referrals to the program originate with Therapeutic Community (TC) Counselors at the TC programs in the correctional facilities. The admissions staff reviews each case individually. Persons whose criminal histories do not indicate a violent person or crimes of a sexual nature are considered for admission. Preference in admission is given to TC applicants from the Shenandoah Valley and Phase II and Phase III TC candidates from the correctional facilities having TC programs.
PO Box 288 Harrisonburg, VA 22803
Since all residents are expected to find and maintain full time employment while enrolled in the program, applicants should be in good physical and mental health. In order to graduate from the program, each resident is expected to save a minimum of $1,500.
However, while enrolled, residents must make payments on all monetary obligations such as restitution, court costs, child support and other legitimate debts.
New residents must sign a contract upon orientation agreeing to abide by the program's behavior code. All residents participate in maintaining the cleanliness of the house and grounds. To give each resident the full opportunity to take advantage of all the benefits of the program a resident must remain enrolled a minimum of six months in-house and three to five months in aftercare.
Community-based correction programs like Gemeinschaft Home offer a cost-effective alternative to incarceration simply by costing the taxpayer less while still maintaining close supervision. Consider the following numbers: according to our contract, the DOC pays Gemeinschaft $55 per day for each resident. If Gemeinschaft Home averages occupancy of 40 persons per day, the annualized cost per individual totals $20,020. A typical institution spends a minimum of $35,000 per inmate per year, not including the facility construction costs and maintenance expenses.
Besides the constant effort to reduce recidivism, the program further lessens the burden of crime on society by insisting that residents become productive tax-paying members of society through procurement and maintenance of full time employment. Because of the rigorous demands of the program, those who are not ready to re-enter society are identified and returned to the criminal justice system.
Your support is needed to provide a connection line to free society. Gemeinschaft Home must seek outside support such as donations, volunteers, mentors, goods and services. Additional resources are used for the pursuit of a quality program and after care program development. If you are interested in participating in a rewarding social service project, please contact the Gemeinschaft Home by using the contact information below.
In Response to Governor Gilmore's Substance Abuse Reduction Effort (SABRE) Gemeinschaft Home has contracted with the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) to provide a Transitional Therapeutic Community (TTC) Program for those persons being released from the in-prison Therapeutic Community Programs.
Gemeinschaft Home in Harrisonburg officially opened in September of 1986 with its first resident. Over the past 15 years the facility has grown to accommodate 41 men. The program provides transitional services which continue therapeutic community principals and goals to assist candidates who have received this training prior to their arrival.
Our program is a flexible four to six month residential stay followed by a three to five month after care phase. Our goal is to return responsible residents to their communities. Our counselors teach responsibility skills for residents to help facilitate their re-entry into the community as law-abiding members of society. A collaborative relationship with the Virginia DOC and their Probation and Parole division is established in order to ensure successful completion of the residential and aftercare program.
We invite you and your group to enjoy a broader understanding of our program and the men who are enrolled. If your church or civic group, be it a class, study group or larger gathering, would like an interesting and educational presentation, contact us by using the information below.
