During Phase 1 of the program, the resident's day starts at 6:30 in the morning. They have an hour to get themselves ready for the day. Phase 1 last for 8-12 weeks.

Their first class begins at 7:30 in the morning, often focused on a  book with a spiritual topic. Sr. Christina leads the discussion.

By 9 a.m. the residents begin their life-skills classes. A wide range of classes are presented throughout the program. They cover subjects such as rebuilding healthy relationships, how to be a responsible citizen, goal implementation, decision making skills, addiction and recovery, conflict resolution, spirituality, renewal of self, developing positive emotions, rebuilding confidence, cooking, positive self esteem, expressing feelings, anger management, coping with fear, money management, banking terms, job readiness, and completing applications. Volunteer experts conduct the classes.

The classes continue until 4:30 p.m.. That is when the men start cooking dinner. The men in Phase II of the program who are employed return to the Workshop in time for the evening meal. The residents always eat dinner together. This helps to build healthy relationships. It is a very important part of the day. The men share what has gone wrong and what has gone right. They usually laugh and enjoy the peaceful fellowship.

After cleaning up from dinner, the residents attend 12-step recovery meetings. After returning to the Workshop they have a little bit of down time before lights out.

During Phase II, the residents who have children can have them visit the Workshop on Sundays. Phase II residents can also go out on their own during the day to visit friends and family or just have  some free time.

Once in a while, some of the men who have passed through the Joseph House Workshop come back and have dinner with the current residents. What a blessing this is for everyone! The men visiting talk about where they are working and how they are doing and laugh over the hard times they had in their early days. They are a great example to the men in the house and are welcomed back whenever they have time to stop in.

Two residents underneath the rule of the Workshop.

Sr. Christina, Director of the Workshop, with some of the men after working in the yard.

Everyone helps out in the kitchen.

Sr. Christina and Sr. Connie with the first Workshop graduate.

 
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