COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY
Award of Excellence
Caritas School for Life Therapeutic Community Model
The Inspiration ~ An Experiential Journey
Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer. Addicts can be the
homeless, educated professionals, mothers, fathers, grandparents,
husbands, wives and children. Caritas believes a true and honest
recovery is an experiential journey rather than a conceptual
phenomenon.
The Focus ~ 25-Month Residential Program
Caritas operates the only 25-month residential substance abuse
recovery program in North America for men with a unique multidimensional approach known as the Therapeutic Community
Model. Experience shows that 3, 6 or even 9 months are not
enough to unlearn the unproductive attitudes, lifestyles and values
to rebuild a solid foundation for a meaningful recovery.
The Story ~ Love and Compassion for Others
Our agency’s humble beginnings started in 1980 when a distraught
mother of a substance abusing son called her local priest for help.
From that initial call began a journey for her and hundreds of other
families. The founder, Father Gianni Carparelli renowned in the
community for his sheer determination to help individuals recover
from their addictions, began putting the pieces together that would
eventually create Caritas School of Life. Caritas, a Latin word
meaning ‘love and compassion for others’, has been home to
many.
The Programs Impact and How it Makes Difference ~
Transforming Lives
Caritas has established itself by helping the community understand
and confront the destructive force of addiction. For more than 24
years as an incorporated charity, Caritas has opened its doors to
hundreds of individuals and families. They have taken the step of
starting their freedom walk by recovering and rebuilding their
lives. Many have returned once recovered to volunteer and sustain
a lifelong association with the organization that helped transform
their lives. Successful treatment for addiction recovery addresses
the whole person: body, mind and spirit. Addictions replace the
ability to cope with life’s expectations and responsibilities.
Presently, we have partnerships with more than 35 schools in the
Greater Toronto Area. We educate students about addiction
through information and the personal stories of some of our
recovering individuals.
A Word of Praise ~ A Positive Meaningful Contribution
“ As the federal representative for the constituency of York West for
nearly 14-years, I have had ample opportunity to witness, first
hand, the universally positive and meaningful contributions made
to the people of this region by CARITAS. Moreover, during that
same time period, I have come, to know the truly dedicated and
committed people that help to make CARITAS a rare gem in our
city” . – Honorable Judy Sgro, Privy Council, Member of
Parliament York West.
Sharing your Best Practice and Reaching Out ~
Community of Humanity
Caritas is all about the community of humanity. Our work is based
on community members helping community members. Everyone
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regardless of race, colour of skin, creed or diverse religious and
spiritual beliefs is embraced as a valuable part of the therapeutic
community. We reach out to those who find themselves in a state
whereby they can’t see or even express themselves – living each
day in an emotionally and spiritually paralyzed world. When these
lost individuals are determined to find their way back, then they’re
ready for the help Caritas is there to offer. To date, the majority of
our organization’s operating budget relies on public donations and
community voluntarism – however, we’re very proud of our
Canada Revenue Agency Good Work Index of 89 (meaning that
for every dollar donated, 89 cents directly goes to client care).
Overcoming Challenges ~ Funders who Prefer ‘Quick
Fixes’
Addiction and recovery carry with them unfortunate stigmas. First
we needed to convince the community of the evils of substance
abuse and then addicts themselves. Our organization has
experienced the usual growth pains most organizations do but in
particular overcoming the tendencies of funders to prefer ‘quick
fixes’ over longer term therapies like ours (25 months) that have a
proven success rate.
The Best Practice Tool ~ Therapeutic Community Model
Caritas’ work is founded on the Therapeutic Community Model
established in the mid-60s and it’s as relevant and forceful today as
it was then. Essentially, our program is a 4-phase process that
covers a period of detoxification, self-reflection, taking
responsibility, a recommitment to a productive and solid lifestyle
and the eventual gradual transition back into society with a
renewed set of coping skills. This is accomplished by the
willingness of the individual to surrender their previous life of
addiction and to commit themselves to the rigid demands of
recovery process.
Vision for the Future ~To Make Greater Inroads in the
Community
To serve more individuals through our proven therapeutic process;
to one day have our own building and to secure permanent core
funding so that Caritas can continue to strengthen and help those
whose life has passed by – a tragic outcome of their addiction. We
hope to be able to have the resources to share our story and make
greater inroads in the community at large.
Contact Information
Tullio Orlando
Executive Director
Caritas School of Life
1880 Ormont Drive, Toronto ON M9L 2V4
Tel. 416-748-9988
Fax: 416-748-7341
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.caritas.ca