McAuley Residence: 25 years of empowering women

Melissa Skahan Vice President of Mission Mercy Health System

Purpose

McAuley Residence (MR) is a comprehensive two year program that serves women with children who are very early in recovery. Women enter MR homeless and hopeless; often carrying a significant amount of guilt and shame. As they transition through the stages of MR’s program, they quickly begin to describe themselves as leaders and describe MR as, “their launching pad”.

The women of McAuley

Trauma such as physical or sexual violence, hx of family substance abuse, profound dysfunction in their family of origin, and underlying mental illness. Poor self-esteem, guilt, and high rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar affective disorder, and suicidal ideation. Limited education completion – some left in middle school and no career plan Dependent relationships that inhibit their ability to develop financial literacy and plan for the future.

Common attributes of current women

Ten plus year of use – primarily opiates Lost custody of one or more children Incarceration Homelessness Sexual and Physical Trauma Undiagnosed and untreated mental illness Multiple unsuccessful attempts at recovery

Comprehensive Program

Staff: MSW, LDAC, and Peer Partners: Mercy Recovery Center, Primary Care Centers, and Eating Disorder Program; Key Bank for individual Financial Recovery plan and mentoring; The Opportunity Alliance for Parenting and Mental Health Services; Cultivating Community for CSAs and weekly cooking classes; Women Work and Community Career Centers for career counseling; education (Adult Ed, SMCC, and USM); and various community presenters for weekly seminars focused on women’s wellness issues

Stage One

Highly structured with intense personal accountability Participate in all groups and activities (40+ hours per week) Identify treatment team (SA, Mental Health, Parenting/DHHS, Primary Care) Eliminate or set clear boundaries with ineffective providers and unhealthy people Submit to random drug tests and apartment checks Developed a detailed plan with measurable goals in regards to sobriety, mental health, parenting, financial recovery, career, and education Curfew and significant oversight

Stage Two

Education with focus on Higher Education Career counseling or employment Attend all groups and activities unless excused with permission if they conflict with personal development Random drug tests and curfew Overnights with permission such as family No guests in the apartment Financial Plan for self sufficiency Individual parenting coach (LCSW) as needed

Stage Three

Prepare to transition Attend meetings as available Execute on Financial Plan Work or go to school full-time Mentor new women Act as spokesperson for MR with press or event

Comprehensive Program

Beautiful physical plant that is part of a vibrant community 15 individual fully furnished apartments with new furniture, common kitchen and dining area, playroom, and office space owned by CHOM

Comprehensive Programming

Success occurs through comprehensive programming that include psychosocial interventions and women specific programming, education attainment, employment, support with dependent children, and treatment for co-occurring psychiatric disorders and trauma. Beautiful space that reflects our commitment to the families that we serve reinforces all aspects of MR.

Partnerships demonstrate broad-based commitment from the greater community.

Emerging Leaders

Effectively create and articulate a vision which focuses attention on a successful future.

Build efficacy in sobriety, parenting, education, career development, financial literacy, and nutrition The Wallenda factor: Women move beyond past problems or prospects for failure (Wallenda lost his life in a tightrope accident after getting obsessed with falling)

Emerging Leaders

From homelessness to renters or homeowners, women develop the ability to be effective community members.

They have an authentic opportunity to practice recovery and citizenship.

Empowerment: Expand their own capacity by empowering others