Coalition Member Spotlight

Residents at Joseph's House Beat the Odds

Joseph's House, Incorporated is a non-profit organization serving homeless young adults in Guilford County. Our mission is to improve the lives of homeless young adults through caring, compassion, love and instruction by providing shelter, food, clothing, and other supportive services to promote self-sufficiency, health and wellness.

Recently, we opened our first Transitional Housing Program and have eight young men between the ages of 17 and 21who reside at Joseph's House. In serving the young adult population we find that many of them have already begun experimenting with drugs like marijuana by the time they get to our doors.

Unlike most programs at Joseph's House, we drug test within the first 30 days of admission because most of the young people we interview tell us "if you test me today, I will probably fail the test, I might pass it in 30 days." Recently, we tested six of the eight residents and were surprised at the results. Sixty-six percent of our residents tested clean. Of course, we will conduct periodic drug testing, but we are hopeful that as these young men begin to experience a better life they will remain drug free.

Despite the many challenges they face, these young men are striving to live healthy lives and are looking forward to a bright future. Joseph's House is a drug free facility, therefore, we expect our residents to be drug free. However, our philosophy is to meet them where they are and help them to get to where they desire to be. Our staff here at Joseph's House is committed to our mission of helping people help themselves.

• For more information on Joseph's House visit our website at www.josephshouse.net.

Congratulations Daron! Daron is 18 years old and recently graduated from Dudley High School. Nancy & Sam McLean mentored and helped this young man through some very challenging times.