Serendipity

Serendipity: Community-based Residential Programs for Men & Women
Serendipity I for men and Serendipity II for women are residential programs primarily for individuals in the criminal justice system who have a substance abuse problem. These two programs offer treatment to former prisoners re-entering society, as well as providing an effective alternative-to-incarceration to others so that they may become productive citizens who no longer burden the criminal justice system.

These programs use the Therapeutic Community (TC) model, which has been achieving success for over forty years. Each Serendipity program consists of individuals living together while they work through the personal and practical issues that block them from living fulfilling and drug-free lives. Within a disciplined, hierarchical structure based upon peer self-help, participants gradually regain their self-confidence while furthering their education or job training, re-uniting with their families, and otherwise taking steps to return to society.

Clinical staff serve as counselors, rational authorities and role models for their clients: most are recovering substance abusers themselves. Though individuals must accept responsibility for their own recovery, the Serendipity programs offer a proven program to ensure that each person will have every opportunity to be successful. Depending on their individual progress, individuals can expect to spend up to twelve months in the program.

Locations: Both programs are located a block from each other in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn, in Community District 3.

Clients: Most clients are mandated by the courts, New York City Probation or New York State Parole, or through alternative-to-incarceration agencies such as Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities (TASC) and Drug Treatment Alternative-to-Prison (DTAP). Walk-ins are also accepted.

License and Funding: Both Serendipity programs are licensed by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services, which also provides their primary funding.

e-mail:generalmailbox@staynout.org for more information.