First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
October 11, 2018
TOUR BEYOND the GARDEN GATE
October 11, 2018
Sometimes a little “loving confrontation” goes a long way.
This idea forma the foundation of the curriculum at A Place of Restoration, a nine-month program structured to educate men on how to live a life free from addiction. Nestled on IS peaceful acres in Gray, it’s the kind of place that gives solace to addicts who recognize that they have hit rock bottom.
Buster Dupuis, a recovered addict and his wife. Maria, founded A Place of Restoration in 20DQ following Dupuis’s success in a faith-based program called Dunklin Memorial Camp in Florida. With a mission of changing broken lives in a new community, the couple relocated to the Bayou Region and in just a few years secured the property and housing needed to launch the program. In 2009, A Place of Restoration opened its doors to its first class of men.
“At nine months, this program is a long-term investment.” said Jeremy Smith, program director for A Place of Restoration. “You are leaving whatever life you had and coming to live here Far the majority of guys that come to us. this isn’t their first program These are guys who have exhausted other options like 26-day state programs. Some people can get sober like that, but the majority need longer programs to detox.”
Smith and Kevin Laughlin, the program’s executive director, keep a pulse on the addictions that are most affecting; men in the community. Whereas the prescription opioid epidemic was the greatest cause for concern five yeas ago. die focus has shifted to methamphetamine and heroine addiction, which is causing young men to “meet their ends” much earlier, typically in their mid-20s.
A Place of Restoration builds its program around three phases: regeneration, inner healing and discipleship Regeneration requires the most time and is where the idea of Lev in g confrontation begins its life-changing work.
“Regeneration isn’t comfortable — if’s getting guys to realize that recognizing that they have a problem is just the tip of the iceberg.” Smith said. “We want our guys to take ownership of their actions. to hold themselves accountable. Past struggles like kids being taken away, marriages being broken up. family members being hurt as a result of their addiction … that all comes rushing hack, and they can’t hide from it anymore. IFs tough emotion-ally. We have to find the delicate balance of pushing them and being there to listen and let them talk”
Embracing accountability leads to inner healing, the program’s second phase that addresses mental topics like fear, rejection, guilt, shame and forgiveness. Finally, the Christian curriculum turns its attention to disciple ship and teaches the men hew to embrace their purpose moving forward.
“We teach our men that if they want their hard work to last, they have to be willing to deny themselves and be focused on living out the life that God has called them to live.’ Smith said.
A Place of Restoration instructs its curriculum in a traditional classroom setting for five days each week. In addition to their lessons, the men are required to complete a rotating schedule of daily chores, from cooking breakfast to caring for the pigs and chickens on the property. Family visitation is allowed in five-hour blocks on Saturdays and Sundays, During their nine-month stay, the men leave the campus only for church and work.
While the nonprofit program is maintained financially in part by private donations, the majority of funding is generated through its own work division called APOR Lawn Care Service.
“Having the guys work serves a two-fold purpose — it keeps the doors open, but it also provides an opportunity for practical application of what happens in die classroom setting.” Smith said. “They guys go out and sweat beside each other and gat to work out any struggles that they encounter in a structured, supervised setting.
On Sundays, the men attend living Word Church, the program’s parent church.
“The living Ward members love on and welcome our guys who have been unwelcome in a lot of places.” Smith said. “The church, looks out for us.”
Living Word is also home to the program’s graduation ceremonies, where the graduates and their family members share personal testimonies and celebrate freedom from past addictions. In just 10 years, over 100 broken lives have been restored.
“It’s a hard program to finish — ifs nine months of intense self-reflection.” Smith said. ‘The men always have the freedom to leave, bat those who stick it out are able to begin a new life with great purpose.”
“Regeneration Isn’t comfortable — It’s getting guys to realize that recognizing that they have a problem is Just the tip of the Iceberg.”
