Walden House also offers projects that support recovery maintenance within the community by drawing upon the strength of family members, civic leaders and other community partners vested in offering those in need a chance to help themselves.
Peers Reaching Out and Supporting Peers Embracing Recovery/ PROSPER
Walden House was recently awarded a four-year award by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to deliver services under the Recovery Community Services program (RCSP). The project offers peer-to-peer recovery support services in the community for people with a history of incarceration and substance abuse as well a for persons associated to them such as their families and church members. PROSPER builds a strength-based, peer-driven recovery community that provides an array of social supports; emotional, informational, instrumental, and associational. Attainment of project goals ultimately will extend and enhance the recovery experience, reduce the negative impact of substance abuse and incarceration on families and communities; and introduce a positive, alternative culture and community for people striving to turn their lives around. The project is currently being formerly evaluate to measure effectiveness, identify successful practices within the program, and identify possible ways to expand and replicate PROSPER elsewhere in CA.
PROSPER services include:
- A Peer-run Café for informal socializing;
- A Resource Space with reference and informational materials, computers and other
- Equipment to assist with searches for housing, employment, services, education, etc;
- Regular Peer-facilitated support groups, seminars/workshops, and trainings;
- Regular social and recreational activities;
- Special social and community events;
- An annual signature event to build bridges among service providers and other stakeholders;
- Peer governance and leadership roles.