The Healing Place is a non-profit 501(c) 3 rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation facility for homeless men with alcohol and drug addiction that opened on January 15, 2001.

Number of Homeless Population Served
In our first four years, 206,053 beds of shelter were provided. In 2004 alone, 55,961 beds of shelter were given to 3,550 different homeless men age 18 and older. 

Average Daily Population
In 2004, we had an average daily population of 153 clients. 

Population Profile
The profile was established during the annual “Point In Time” Count; which all the homeless are counted  on one particular day. The demographics might change slightly, but the data is consistent: 

Average age:                 41 years (range is 19-62 years of age)

Race:                            African American           39% of the population
                                    Caucasian                     52% of the population
                                    Hispanic                          4% of the population
                                    Other                              3% of the population

Veterans:                      18% of the population

Dual Diagnosis:             27% of the population

Staffing
Our staff includes 23 full-time employees and six part-time employees providing services to an average of 153 men per day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Clients in the second part or Phase program help run the program by:

Assisting with check-in of over-night guests into the Shelter

Preparing food in the kitchen

Providing laundry service;

Serving on our 24-hour security force

Working as building and grounds crew

Sorting and distribute clothes from the clothes closet

Answering phones at the front desk

Providing transportation as drivers and runner for other clients.

After transitioning into Phase II, clients are eligible to become Assistant Staff, whose duties include Planning Room coordination and teaching the Recovery Dynamics classes for the residents.
 

Average Program Length
In 2004, the average time to complete the program was 250 days or a little over eight months.

Program Success
To date, 240 men successfully completed the recovery program and entered PHASE II, the transitional section of our program. An Employment and Housing Coordinator assists these clients in finding employment and independent housing. PHASE II also helps men transition back into society, while maintaining sobriety. Of the 240 clients who completed the recovery program, 131 men are still sober without a relapse (55% success). Of the 107 who relapsed, 31 men are sober again, currently engaged with The Healing Place or another program. Therefore, 162 clients are presently sober, giving the program a success rate of 68% program graduates currently sober.

 
Program Costs
In 2004, the program cost $23.18 per client per night; in 2003, $23.09 per client per night; and in 2002, $23.47 per client per night. According to the NC Department of Correction, incarceration costs for a medium custody facility is $60.54 per client per day.

 
Program Changes

Two significant changes were made this year. The first, a philosophical move, was for Silver Chip to begin only after a client has found employment and moved out with the approval of the community. On May 25, 2004, clients who completed Phase I and moved into the two man rooms entered what is now called Phase II. The change from Silver Chip to Phase II emphasizes that (1) completing Phase I does not mean that one has completed the program and (2) that there are different goals for Phase II then there are for Phase I. Additionally, a Phase II Team has been established to meet with Phase II clients individually on a monthly basis to review their progress.
 

The second significant change has been the implementation of the Ready To Rent curriculum that clients complete upon entering Phase II. The goal of Ready To Rent is to prepare clients to be financially and responsible for independent housing. Since August 11^th, 45 men have completed the Ready To Rent class.

Food Service
How many meals?
We serve an average of 425 meals each day for an annual total of 155,000 meals. 

How much do they eat?
On a weekly average, the kitchen prepares: 300 lbs of potatoes, 120 lbs of pasta, 150 lbs of rice, 60 lbs of carrots, 60 lbs of celery, 120 lbs of onions, 30 lbs of margarine, 45 lbs of coffee, 106 lbs of chicken, 180 lbs of beef, 140 lbs of turkey, 2450 pieces of bacon, and 1225 sausage patties.  Residents consume 90 gallons of milk each week and 270 gallons of coffee.

Where does the food come from?

Our principal donations come from The Interfaith Food Shuttle and the US Department of Agriculture. We also purchase food at a reduced rate from the Food Bank of NC as well as from the NC Department of Corrections and other vendors such as major donations from two local catering operations: The Acro Café at the Museum of Natural Sciences and Barbara Boney Caters. Counter Culture Coffee provides coffee and Hunters for the Hungry provides field-dressed game.

Food Service Training:

The Executive Chef and his staff offer a three-month kitchen trainee program. In 2004, 14 graduates of this program are working in food service here in Wake County, reflecting a 250% increase over 2003. 

How much does it cost?

$.58 per meal per person.

Sobering Up/Detoxification Center

How many admissions?

In 2004, 736 homeless men suffering from alcoholism and other drug addictions were admitted to the non-medical sobering up/detoxification center, a 13% increase over 2003. 

How long did they stay?

These individuals remained in the Sobering Up Center for an average of three nights each. 

How did they get there?

Seventy-seven men were brought in by different municipal police officers from the Raleigh Police, the Wake County Sheriff, the Knightdale Police, and the Garner Police Departments. These men would have otherwise been taken to jail. It takes two officers on average two hours to put a man in jail. It takes less than 10 minutes to deliver a client to the Sobering Up Center. 

Other service providers in Wake County, such as Wake Med, EMS, Rex Hospital, and the South Wilmington Street Shelter, referred 189 men. An additional 275 men were referred by their families or friends, and 195 men were referred by the Recovery Community.

Where do they go?

Of the 736 admissions to the Sobering Up Center, only 57 men had to be sent to Wake Med Emergency Room for treatment.  416 or 57% of the men who were discharged from the Sobering Up Center accepted a referral into the Off The Street Program, the initial part of the program. 

Healthcare/Self-Care Clinic

Our Health Care/Self Care Clinic provides basic medical services and referrals for care under the direction of the Health Services Coordinator. Volunteer medical doctors, a physician assistant, a family nurse practitioner, nurses, and non-professionals help to make our clinic a supportive environment. The clinic provides tuberculosis testing and screening, under the direction of the Wake County Health Department, each week as well as a nurse twice each month for HIV and Syphilis testing. Our clinic also educates clients about diabetes, hypertension, disease prevention, and healthy eating habits.

Clients entering Phase II are eligible for a complete physical, which includes blood work to measure cholesterol levels as well as a PSA. Program graduates initiated a “Silver Chip Appreciation Fund” where their donations have provided current residents with reading glasses, bus tickets, over-the-counter medications, hearing aids, and other medical supplies.

In 2004, the Health Care/Self Care Clinic had 1095 total clinic visits, a 15% increase in visits plus 574 TB Screenings.  Eight doctors, a physician assistant, a family nurse practitioner, six nurses, and two other health care volunteers donated over 400 clinic hours. Board Chairman, Dr. Bob Bilbro serves as the volunteer Medical Director of the Clinic. 

White Flag

Beginning in November 2001, White Flag was implemented in Wake County as a coordinated community effort composed primarily of agencies that provide shelter to the homeless. In White Flag, agencies extend their normal services when it is too cold for people to sleep on the streets (< 32°F). Between November 2001 and December 2004, The Healing Place provided 1524 beds of shelter and meals during 213 White Flag nights.

Recovery Dynamics for the General Public

Recovery Dynamics is the study course that our clients are required to complete. Public interest in this course prompted offering this series to the general recovering public in fall 2002. It was so popular that repeat courses were taught in the spring and fall of 2003 and 2004. An average of 25 members of the outside community participated per session in 2004. Courses are planned for the spring and fall of 2005.

Wake Technical Community College Support

Wake Technical Community College provides a Life Skills course to prepare clients for the transitional stage of the program, which involves gaining employment, saving money, and moving into independent housing. Wake Tech also provides GED classes on campus for clients. In 2004, we had 12 GED graduates, a 200% increase over 2003.

The Clothes Closet
We operate a clothes closet, which provides donated articles of clothing to men in all phases of the program as well as overnight Shelter guests. In 2004, more than 10,000 articles of clothing were distributed to clients.

Partnerships

The Healing Place works closely with other agencies to provide comprehensive assistance and continuity of care, including:

(1)         WakeMed

(2)         Wake County Human Services

a.       South Wilmington Street Center

b.       Alcoholism Treatment Center

c.       Crisis and Assessment Services

d.       Cornerstone

e.       Department of Public Health

                                                                                                   i.      Under One Roof

                                                                                                 ii.      Communicable Disease Clinics A & E

                                                                                                iii.      Pharmacy

(3)           Wake County Emergency Medical Services

(4)           Wake County Sheriff’s Department

(5)           Raleigh Police Department

(6)           Garner Police Department

(7)           Dorothea Dix Hospital

(8)           The Food Bank of NC

(9)           The Interfaith Food Shuttle

(10)       Wake County Medical Society

(11)       Rex Hospital

(12)       Open Door Clinic

(13)       Wake County Project Access

(14)       Division of Services for the Blind of NC

(15)       CARElina Medical Associates

(16)       Wake Technical Community College

(17)       Horizon Health Center

(18)       Raleigh Community Hospital

(19)       Wake County Re-Entry & Pre-Trial Release

(20)       Department of Parole & Probation

(21)       Harvest House

(22)       Wake County Community Service Program

(23)       Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center

(24)       NCSU Department of Social Work

(25)       UNC School of Social Work

(26)       Wake County Bar Association

(27)       Wake County District Attorney’s Office

Cost Savings to County & City Agencies

Detox/Sobering Up Center

Since opening in April 2001, the Sobering Up /Detoxification Center has admitted 2228 homeless alcoholics and addicts for an average stay of three nights for each client. 

In 2003, Wake County Municipal Police Departments and the Wake County Sheriff referred 77 homeless alcoholics and addicts to our Sobering Up Center. If The Healing Place did not exist, they would have been incarcerated for at least one night: 107 men x $65 (cost to county of one night in jail) = $5,005. On average, it takes two officers, two hours to put a man in jail. Starting salary for a Raleigh Police Officer is $30,610 or $14.72 per hour: 77 men x 2 officers x 2 hours = 462 man hours x $14.72=$6,800 in officer time.

Wake Med ER referred 68 homeless alcoholics and addicts to the Sobering Up Center. According to medical sources, the average basic cost per visit to the Emergency Room is $700, 68 x $700 = $47,600.

Shelter & Program

Since opening in January 2001, The Healing Place has provided 206,053 beds of shelter to homeless addicts and alcoholics. According to the staff of the South Wilmington Street Shelter, the average cost of a bed night to the County is $35: $35 x 206,053 =  $7,211,855 savings to the county.

We save taxpayer dollars by reducing the amount of services that the homeless population access. In our first four years of operation, we: 

• reduced the homeless population in the County Jail and in the hospital Emergency Rooms. Officers now drop off clients at our Detoxification Center or call our staff and we pick up clients.

• reduced the costs to the county by provide services for less than $25 per person per day. Our nearest competitor is the County Jail at approximately $65 per person per day. The cost of in-patient Detox and Substance Abuse  programs is significantly higher, often more than 20 times our cost of less than $24 per day per person.

• significantly saved officer and EMS staff time. According to the officers, it takes a minimum of two officers two hours to put a man in jail. They now utilize our Sobering Up Center and drop off clients in less than 10 minutes. Calls for EMS services for the intoxicated have been significantly reduced.

• reduced the call on Wake County medical services. Through coordination and careful screening of clients’ medical needs by our clinic staff, there are few referrals to Wake County services.

• reduced the homeless population. By rehabilitating clients, we help restore them to gainful tax-paying employment.

Outreach
In 2004, The Healing Place provided meeting space for more than 700 AA/CA/NA meetings for the recovery community. In addition, we hosted 200 meetings for local community service groups, churches, state agencies, county agencies, and arts organizations as well as averaging five tours each week for an annual total of 260 tours. Staff spoke at over 400 local civic, religious, and municipal organizations.

Our program at stresses “giving back” as part of a person’s total recovery, and clients are encouraged to volunteer. During 2004, clients accomplished the following volunteer projects: 

• The Phase Community painted the gymnasium at The Achievement School for special students that required more than 225 client hours to finish.
   
• The clients participated in WRAL’s Coats for Kids program as well as the Salvation Army’s Toys for Tots program.
   
• The entire community participates in the “Adopt A Road” program as 375 men picked up 197 bags of trash on Lake Wheeler Road every month in 2004.

Who Supports The Healing Place of Wake County?

The Healing Place of Wake County is a public-private partnership that works.

How much was donated in 2004?       

In 2004, 1267 donors gave $1,906,224.

957 or 76% of our donations were $25 or less

The smallest individual donation was $5; the largest individual donation was $75,000.

The largest public agency donation was $650,000 (ABC Board)

Who gave in 2004?
1267 donors: 35% (441) were new donors; 24% (304) were two-year donors; 18% (229) were three-year donors; 16% (206) were four-year donors; 06% (76) were five-year donors; and 01% (11) were six-year donors.

65% of our donors have given two years or more. In 2003, only 19% of our donors had given two years or more. Former clients contributed $4,250.

How does it break down?

60% ($1,147,498) came from government sources: Wake County ABC Board, Wake County, City of Raleigh, State of North Carolina

17% ($326,972) came from individuals

09% ($169,732) came from foundations

09% ($169,557) came from businesses and corporations

05% ($92,465) came from the faith community.

Percentage comparison for our four years of operation:

                                                            2004                 2003                 2002                 2001

Government Sources                              60%                  63%                  52%                  63%

Individuals                                             17%                  19%                  25%                  10%

Foundations                                          09%                  10%                  08%                  19%

Corporations/businesses                        09%                  07%                  14%                  07%

Faith community                                    05%                  01%                  01%                  01%

What is our fundraising history?

2004                 1267 donors      $1,906,224

2003                 1201 donors      $2,426,615 (includes $1 million capital donation)

2002                 1008 donors      $2,004,219

2001                   655 donors      $1,862,222

What percentage of the total operating budget goes toward fundraising?

In 2004, 11%; in 2003, 10%; in 2002, 08%; in 2001, 08%.

Fundraising & Special Events

The Healing Place purchased vending machines in 2004 that are stocked and maintained by staff and that netted a profit of over $9,000 in 2004.

The first annual Yard Sale was held in the spring with donations collected by Healing Place staff. Five spaces were donated at the State Fairgrounds Flea Market and over 20 volunteers manned the booth during the weekend sale. Healing Place Banners and literature was available for all interested parties. The event netted $3,000.

In November, the Angel Art Event was hosted by Board members, Burley and Lou Mitchell, and featured the work of local artist Joel Haas. Haas fabricated 100 2’ x 2’ angel panels and other sculptures. All proceeds from the panels went to The Healing Place and 50% of any other sculpture sale. The event broke even, but we retained the panels for future sales.

For the second year, we had a Food Booth at the NC State Fair. Staff, board members, clients, and volunteers manned the booth during the 10-day fair serving our Jamaican jerk chicken and pork wraps. Although not as successful as the first year, we netted more than $2,000. We will continue the experiment for one more year and then reassess this venture. The 2005 Fair Booth will have a volunteer chairman and committee. 

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors serves a minimum of three years with an option to be re-elected to a second three year term. The Board meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday night of the month at 6:00 pm in our Board Room with meetings open to the public. The Executive Committee of the Board and the Development Committee also meet monthly.

Current Board Officers and members:
 

Chairman                                               Robert Bilbro, MD

Vice Chairman                                       Scott Burkhead

Past Chairman                                       Greg Patterson

Secretary                                              Susanne Hayes

Treasurer                                               Jerry Bernstein, MD

Fred Aikens, Fred Barber, Jerry Bowen,   Tom Covington, Lawrence Evans,

Bob Goodale, Barbara Goodmon, Burley Mitchell, Jr., Greg Poole, Jr.,

Kyle Szulik, and Lou Mitchell, Ex Officio

Board of Advisors

Our Board of Advisors is a diverse group of community leaders serving as advisors for the organization as well as goodwill ambassadors for our program. They meet twice annually. The group is co-chaired by Ken Eudy of Capital Strategies and former Mayor Lucius Jones of Wendell.   

Members include:
 

Mr. Jay Allen “Al” Adams                                    Attorney
Mr. Hugh Allen                                                   Wachovia/First Union
Ms. Teena Anderson                                          BB&T                                       

Mrs. Carol Williams Bilbro                                   Community Volunteer                            

Mr. Les Boney                                                   MDC

Mr. Kevin Cain                                                   Rex Foundation

Mr. Steve Coggins                                              Attorney

Dr. Dana Copeland                                             Wake Med

Mrs. Lou Anne Crumpler                                     Carolina Arts Festival

Mr. Frank Daniels, Jr.                                         Josephus Daniels Foundation

Dr. Margaret Dardess                                         UNC School of Public Health

Mr. Richard (Dick) Daugherty                              Retired IBM Executive

Ms. Joyce Fitzpatrick                                         Public Relations Consultant

Mr. Jim Goodmon                                              Capitol Broadcasting

Mr. Benson Kirkman                                          Community Leader

Dr. Doug Knoop                                                 Blue Cross Blue Shield of the Carolina    

Ms. Ann  McColl                                                Attorney

Dr. Tom McGuire, Jr.                                          A.J. Fletcher Foundation

Mr. Bill McLaurin                                                McLaurin Parking

Mrs. Virginia Parker                                            Community Volunteer

The Honorable Bev Perdue                                  Lt. Governor

Mr. Eric Reeves                                                 Attorney

Rev. Art Ross                                                    White Memorial Presbyterian Church

Ms. Azalee Sain                                                 Community Volunteer

Mr. Ken Shivar                                                   Businessman

Monsignor Michael Shugrue                                Roman Catholic Diocese

Mr. Gordon Smith                                               Exploris

Mr. Sherwood Smith                                           Retired Executive

Ms. Oz Staley                                                   Kennedy Office Supply

Ms. Katherine Thomas                                       Progress Energy

Mr. Ed Turlington                                               Attorney

Mr. Michael Weeks                                            Architect

Mr. Ed Willingham IV                                         First Citizens Bank & Trust Company

Mr. Smedes York                                              York Properties

Mr. Steve Zaytoun                                              Zaytoun & Company

Women’s Center Campaign
 

What is the need?

The need is great, and the need is urgent. The most recent point-in-time survey of the homeless confirmed that there were over 350 homeless women in need of substance abuse services on the streets of Wake County each day. Currently, no existing services exclusively target recovery and rehabilitation for homeless female addicts and alcoholics in Wake County. The survey also indicates that the number of homeless doubled in the past several years. According to the last survey, there are more than 2,200 homeless individuals in Wake County on any given night. Federal statistics estimate that 60 to 80% are in need of substance abuse services. Recent research indicates that children are the greatest victims of homelessness. Nationally, the average age of a homeless individual is now only eight years old. Women most often have sole or primary responsibility for these children.  There are no existing local programs whose sole function is to help female homeless substance abusers recover from their addictions and be reunited with their children. Similarly, there are no local programs specifically targeting the problems of children of homeless addicts and alcoholics.

How will we meet this need?

As our men’s program has a proven four-year track record, we plan a similar facility for women and children for Wake County. Our men’s facility has 180 beds and has been filled to capacity since 2001. The Women and Children’s facility would be slightly smaller with 88 beds. Following The Healing Place model, the Women’s Facility will be a true public/private partnership. Wake County, the County municipalities, local corporations, and the residents of Wake County joined together to make The Healing Place for men a reality. We are counting on the same support for the women’s Healing Place.

Where is the Women & Children’s Facility?

The site is in North Raleigh, just off Highway 70. The eight-acre site is located at the end of an industrial park and is bounded on three sides by Umstead Park. An existing building on the property will be renovated to meet the needs of women and children. Renovation is slated to begin March 1, 2005.

When will the facility open?

We are scheduled to open no later than January 2006. We hope to open in December, 2005.

How will we support the new facility?
The combined campaign for The Healing Place for women and men kicked off on July 17, 2003. It will total $10 million and include three components: 

• Capital expenses for building and furnishing of the Women’s Center.
• Operating money for both the men and women’s facility through 2006.
• $1 million for The Healing Place Endowment.

Currently, we have major campaign commitments from:

ABC Board                                $2,625,000

Wake County                            $1,500,000

Stewards Fund                          $   550,000

City of Raleigh                           $   500,000

Anonymous                               $   409,875                                                                               

Progress Energy                        $   200,000

Board pledges                           $   220,000

Capitol Broadcasting                  $   100,000

City of Raleigh (operating)           $   100,000

A J Fletcher Foundation              $   100,000

Wachovia                                  $   100,000

Holding Foundation                    $   100,000

White Memorial                         $   100,000

Blue Cross Blue Shield               $   100,000

Ray Goodmon                           $     75,000

City of Raleigh                           $   100,000                                                                               

Hospital Alliance                        $    50,000

Daniels Family Fund                  $    50,000

Wake Med Staff Foundation        $    50,000

Roman Catholic Diocese            $    30,000                      

Pilot Club of Raleigh                   $    25,000

Lions Club of Raleigh                  $    25,000

Martin Marietta                          $    20,000

Ragland Family Fund                 $    15,000

Baxter Napier                            $    15,000

Nine West Settlement                $    15,000

Holly Bowles Blanton                 $    12,000

Matt Szulik                                $    10,000

Protective Life                            $    10,000

Sherwood Smith                        $    10,000

Jerome Parnell                           $    10,000

Helen White                              $    10,000

IBM Employees                         $      7,000

Individuals                                 $  457,703

Total                                        $7,648,478

The campaign is chaired by Lou Mitchell. 

Members of the Campaign Committee include our Board Members as well as the following community leaders: Sissy Ashby, Chrys Baggett, Audrey Bailey, Carol Bilbro, Holly Blanton, Barbara Boney,

Tom Bonfield, Mickey Brock, Kim Brooks, Beverly Brown, Lindy Brown, Valerie Brown, Jessie Cannon, Pastor Velma Champlain, Louise Coggins, Ed Crowe, Lou Ann Crumpler, Beth Erickson, Liz Fentress, Dr. Lynn Ennis, Joyce Fitzpatrick, Cheryl Fellers, Barbara Gomez, Kate Green, Joanie Harer, Yevonne Holley, Melissa Jemison, Sandra K. Johnson, Erica Keltner, Nora Martinez, Lisa Myers, Elizabeth Park, Virginia Parker, Jane Pope, Elaine Sandman, Mary Scarantino, Cece Scott, Ann Shivar, Oz Staley, Gwynn Swinson, Ben & Lianda Taylor, Katherine Palovits, Michael Weeks, Bonnie Woodruff, and Anna Liese Workman.