Educational and Vocational INNovations

August 20, 2019

Graduation Cap and DIploma

We are very happy to announce a new community partnership that will allow Brothers Christopher to work towards their Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) Diploma, formerly known as General Education Diploma (GED), while they are in treatment at St. Christopher’s Inn for substance use disorder. This new initiative can also provide resources for additional support when the men leave the Inn.

Lila Stromberg and Elizabeth Dandreano, both counselors at St. Christopher’s Inn, worked closely with Elena Falcone, who is the Director of Public Innovation and Engagement for the Westchester Library System on this initiative. They have created a computer-based, user-friendly, easily-accessible program for St. Christopher’s Inn clients to begin or continue to pursue their TASC Diploma.

Student in Computer lab

Clients who have been identified by their counselors as having basic educational deficits are encouraged to participate. Once they are registered for the program, they receive their unique IDs and passwords, and are provided access to the St. Christopher’s Inn IBM computer lab. Clients who need basic computer literacy skills are encouraged and coached through the registration process before they complete an initial assessment to help identify strengths, interests and challenges. Once this is complete, they are connected with tutoring and navigational support for the various on-line learning resources.

In addition, this partnership will provide access to resources and connections that can help facilitate navigation of legal, housing, educational and vocational support when the Brothers Christopher leave the Inn after completing treatment. Because the men at the Inn are battling more than just chemical dependency, and many of their challenges are major barriers to their re-entry back into the community, we are confident that this new benefit will positively impact the lives of the Brothers Christopher going forward.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.