The mission of Saving Our Sisters is to provide support services and a safe, drug free residence for women who want to recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
Drug addiction is one of the most common diseases in the United States. It is estimated that over nine million Americans need drug treatment, making addiction more prevalent than coronary heart disease and stroke and as prevalent as cancer. The initial choice to use drugs is voluntary; as addiction develops, however, continued drug use becomes largely involuntary.
Young women are not showing the same rate of decrease in substance abuse as other segments of the population. In fact, in recent years the use of alcohol and other drugs has been increasing slightly (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Center for Health Statistics). Women who use drugs often suffer from other serious health problems such as depression or sexually transmitted diseases. Studies have shown that an overwhelming majority of female substance users (as much as 70 percent) have been physically or sexually abused as children, and many are victims of violence as adults (National Institute on Drug Abuse). At the other end of the age spectrum, older women present special concerns with respect to substance abuse. Although alcoholism is lower in this population, the incidence of using medications for other than the intended purpose or ingesting more than the recommended dosages remains high.
In part, the greater social sanctions and stigma that drug-using women face compared with men, including concerns regarding the loss of custody of their children, have made women less willing to seek help and treatment for addictive disorders. As a result, data on the incidence and prevalence of addictive disorders among women—generally on the basis of contacts with treatment facilities or hotlines—are thought by treatment experts to severely under represent the true magnitude of the problem (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment).
In efforts to meet a need in the community, Saving Our Sisters, Inc. was developed in 2006 by a group of women with various experience with long term recovery, healthcare, residential services, and serving the disability community. Saving Our Sisters, Inc. is a residential recovery home for women located in east Baltimore, Maryland. Furniture donations were made, state required paperwork was filed, and the Board of Directors created bylaws. Together, we developed a mission, vision, organizational management, oversight and program design. With support from the community, we have also joined the Baltimore Area Association of Supportive Housing (BAASH), our Community Association, and attend trainings by the Maryland Association of Non Profit Organizations (MANO) for guidance in starting and sustaining a successful non-profit.
Residents are responsible for weekly meal planning, preparing meals, and chore assignments on a rotating basis. S.O.S. offers a program module of life skills workshops with monthly themes to include; relapse prevention, money management, wellness, career and education exploration, goal setting, etc.
The surrounding community of Saving Our Sisters, Inc. is one in which recovery from substance abuse has been identified as a critical need. The shortage of funding available for affordable residential treatment makes it harder for this community to see long term abstinence from recovery addicts and alcoholics. Substance abuse recidivism after 28-day treatment programs is higher for women. Thus, there is a need to develop, evaluate and expand lower cost, residential care options for substance abusers that want to recover. Saving Our Sisters, Inc. will illustrate a community-based approach toward substance abuse abstinence. In the S.O.S. program design residents have a greater opportunity to develop a sense of competence toward maintaining abstinence by receiving support from peers. The involvement of the individual in the course of action plan after a 28 day treatment may encourage the individual to learn how to cope effectively and independently with stressful situations that promote substance abuse. This sense of self-efficacy will in turn reduce the risk of relapse when women would otherwise return to former high-risk situations.
The goal for women who transition out of Saving Our Sisters, Inc. is to reach back and help another woman on her journey to recovery. With this in mind, S.O.S. would encourage women who have shown success with long-term abstinence to become a mentor, role model, and sponsor other women who seek long-term recovery. S.O.S. will use the experience, strength and hope of women in recovery to educate and share with individuals, groups and organizations in the community the affects, financial and legal implications, and health risks associated with a lifestyle of drug and alcohol abuse through verbal forums, newsletters, and brochures. Future plans for Saving Our Sisters, Inc. include securing additional facilities for women in need, create substance abuse prevention materials and an outreach program focusing on teen girls, parents and the elderly.
“Together, we can make a difference!”
Our Vision:
The vision of Saving Our Sisters is to empower women with a comprehensive approach to overcome active addiction and become productive members of their families and their communities.
Our Commitment:
Saving Our Sisters is committed to providing quality assistance to ensure each resident has every opportunity and support needed for long-term recovery. We offer housing, life skills workshops, and support services to women in recovery. We work with each resident on a recovery plan to address personal challenges with wreckage from the past. We also help residents obtain healthcare, employment, and affordable housing.
Our Goal:
The goal for women who transition out of Saving Our Sisters is to reach back and help another woman on her journey to recovery.