This feature on The GateHouse Lititz was included in a recent edition of the Warwick Merchandiser!
The GateHouse Lititz judges lightly. And when it does, the GateHouse Lititz judges people on who they are, not what they do or have done.
The GateHouse Lititz doesn’t give up on people; it doesn’t throw away souls.
“There is hope. We provide hope,” said Anthony Valentin, who’s been the program director at The GateHouse Lititz for four years. “There are people out there who are willing to fight this battle and help. We want individuals to know it’s possible. We’re willing to walk alongside you. This is not meant to be done alone. It comes down to one person helping another.”
The GateHouse Lititz gives people second chances.The GateHouse Lititz, which is located at 649 E. Main St., Lititz, is an accredited residential recovery facility – a type of halfway house – which is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The local nonprofit takes a holistic approach to addiction and recovery.
“Our mission is to help individuals transform their lives that have been centered around drug and alcohol addiction,” said Valentin. “We encourage them to be part of the community. We encourage them to volunteer. We want to show them it’s about community and what it’s like to give back.”
The GateHouse Lititz’s live-in 90-day recovery program includes one-on-one therapy sessions, group therapy, employment support services, life-skills training, accountability, chores, routine development, mental health awareness and mentorship programs. Some clients complete the recovery program, while others don’t, but everyone benefits in one way or another.
“It’s teaching them to live life on life’s terms,” said Valentin, a resident of East Lampeter Township. “Some of our individuals come to us defeated. But we tell them (addiction) doesn’t have to define you; it doesn’t have to affect your future. Sometimes individuals have blinders on and they can’t see the bigger picture. That’s when we step in. We also get them set up with (Pennsylvania) CareerLink.”
The GateHouse Lititz serves about 150 men each year. Currently, the residential recovery house is hosting 25 individuals, 19 of whom are employed throughout Lancaster County.
The GateHouse Lititz’s residential extended care is designed for males between the ages of 18 and 60. All of the individuals are from Pennsylvania – a handful from Lancaster County and from as far away as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Erie.
“These individuals have struggled with addiction in their lives,” said Valentin. “Some have had traumatic experiences. Some are trying to put their pasts behind them. Some are looking for encouragement. I look at individuals like if they were my child, are they being guided the way I’d like my child to be guided? They’re human beings.”
“Everyone has a story; everyone has a past,” continued Valentin. “There’s a lot more to them than what we’re seeing on the outside. The question is: ‘Why are they struggling? What is holding them back?’ I have met some really good people who have struggled with addictions.”
The GateHouse Lititz employs 15 staff members, 12 of whom work full time. The GateHouse is funded primarily through Medicaid, but it does participate in fundraising and grant programs.
“An individual has got to want it,” said Valentin. “We will engage them in different modulates of recovery. Hopefully, they will put their best foot forward. But at the end of the day, they’ve got to do it. You can’t do it for them. Kind of like, ‘You can live a better way of life and here are some examples.’ We hope they choose a productive way of life. All we can do is provide the information and know-how.”
“When you’re in addiction, it becomes natural, it becomes normal,” he added. “It’s a choice, and that’s what makes it hard. Relapse is part of addiction. You’re fighting a battle. We try to look for the good in people.”
Established in Lititz in 1972, the GateHouse now also offers similar long-term residential recovery programs for men in Mountville and for women in Marietta. The GateHouse also operates eight transitional houses throughout Lancaster County and offers outpatient services in the city.
“Data shows that the longer individuals are involved with treatment, the better chance they have of recovery,” said Valentin. “We want to establish a foundation for recovery. As they’re hitting these benchmarks, the insurance company will say they’re no longer at great risk, so they can step into outpatient services. Some individuals may not be from this community, but they want to stay here for employment.”
The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living, or residential extended care programs. If you’re looking for help now, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or reach out to us today to get started.
