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2009 Sunhouse Autorama

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SunhouseWarriors.org

"Where Warriors Stand Tall in the Face of All Storms"

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Serving Communities in Lodi
and
San Joaquin County, California Since 2003

P.O. Box 348, Lodi, CA., 
95241-0348 

Phone: (209) 365-0152
(24 Hours/7 Days)

E-mail:  jorimmer@sunhousewarriors.org

 
 
FAQ’s

Q.   What is Sunhouse?
A.    Sunhouse is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization serving individuals in San Joaquin County, CA. and the surrounding areas via harm reduction services through “Ownership© Life Skills and Recovery Training” programs. Sunhouse offers a uniquely integrated program that includes prioritized case management; career re-entry services, crisis intervention, mandatory on-site and/or lab confirmed drug and alcohol testing as well as a 24-hour phone line for all enrolled students. Sunhouse nonprofit status allows us to provide services free or on a sliding fee scale for those who qualify. Verification of income is mandatory.

Q.   What is the “Ownership© Life Skills and Recovery Training Program?
A.    The Ownership© program promotes methods of reducing the physical, social, emotional and economic harms associated with harmful behaviors on individuals, their families and the communities in which they live. Our harm reduction services are free of judgment and allows the student direct involvement in their life choices and goals. Ownership teaches the students to:

o   Self-identify former negative behaviors as a choice
o   Identify physical, social, emotional and economic gaps within their lives that require mandatory attention toward their goal of becoming a healthier human being.  
o   Manage every thought, spoken word and action associated with mapping out a healthier lifestyle
o   Recognize and cope with anxiety, regression episodes and emotional changes
o   Promote their strengths and enhance their weaknesses

Q.   Does Sunhouse have traditional views of addictive behaviors?
A.   Sunhouse believes there are varying degrees of unhealthy behaviors. We prefer the term “unhealthy behaviors” because of the variety of issues that arise when a person has chosen to live unhealthy. Sunhouse focuses on the "LifeSkills" area of a student's needs. Whether they have used drugs/alcohol/, had domestic violence issues or lack of parenting skills, their unhealthy behaviors are unhealthy based upon the repition and time frame they were engaged in the activity. Students have complicated their lives by not just misusing the drugs/alcohol consistently, but have placed in jeopardy their morals, values and ability to be productive members of society in many aspects of their lives. Our students are taught that doing something once equals trying it; doing something twice means they like it; therefore, any behavior which is repeated over a period of time and produces negative consequences is a conscious choice. 

Q.        How are Sunhouse programs different from traditional rehabilitation therapies?
A.        Sunhouse is considered an alternative program in many aspects including the following:

o     Sunhouse is not a spiritual or religious program but based upon the integration of scientifically sound and evidence based studies. A person's religious beliefs are their own and a personal choice.
o     Sunhouse teaches personal responsibility for the student’s recovery from unhealthy behaviors.
o     Sunhouse teaches that addictive behaviors are maladaptive habits (using a negative source to solve a situation or life issue) and not a disease. A student may suffer physical setbacks from continued misuse of drugs/alcohol but we do not deem addiction itself as a disease; but a conscious choice.  The physical aspects (e.g., meth mouth, lung, heart, liver conditions) derived from one’s misuse of drugs/alcohol are a part of the negative consequences by choosing to use drugs or drink alcohol. The focus of our program is to enhance the student's ability to do life on whatever level we meet them at in their lives.
o     Sunhouse requires a minimum of six (6) months of attendance; has After-Care program available for graduates for another six (6) months and open door policy for all graduates to attend meetings at their leisure any time after their graduation from the program.
o     Sunhouse encourages students to attend outside support groups. When students are faced with multiple barriers toward becoming healthier, any support they receive will only enhance their recovery journey.
o    Our students learn from day one that they are no longer “addicts or alcoholics” but Warriors who have stood tall in the face of life’s storms. Students need not refer to themselves as “addicts/alcoholics”  if they are not actively participating in negative activities. Sunhouse promotes a healthy lifestyle change for those recovering from all unhealthy behaviors.

Q.   Can Ownership© Life Skills and Recovery programs be used successfully for “bottomed-out” individuals?
A.   Yes; Ownership’s basic principles will only enhance a bottomed out person’s choice to be clean and sober no matter what level their unhealthy behaviors are. In the past six years of operation, Sunhouse students have experienced addictions approximately five (5) years and up and have successfully completed the program to live more productive lives. The Sunhouse co-authors and founders have a combined total of over forty (40) years of ‘street time’, which only encourages those we work with as having walked the talk. Ownership© was designed for individuals who have the honest desire to quit unhealthy behaviors on all levels. We meet our students where they are in their recovery effort and build a foundation that will last a lifetime.

Q.   Does Sunhouse provide other groups like co-dependency?
A.   Sunhouse understands that during the transition from an unhealthy state to a healthier one, our students have negatively affected their loved ones. We make ourselves available for family members as they deal with the maladaptive responses to what our students have taught them. As with any serious maladaptive behavior, some, none or all support may be retained. We welcome families and loves ones to participate and are available for them 24-7 as well.  

Q.   What are the class sizes and do you offer individual or group sessions?
A.   Sunhouse class sizes vary based upon enrollment at any given time. We can accommodate group sessions up to 15 people and have individual sessions based upon the student’s schedule and intensity of issues. The group sessions are mandatory unless a person is employed or has issues which permit us to qualify them for individual sessions. Each student’s needs are different and Sunhouse provides flexibility in scheduling to accommodate their ability to graduate the program in a timely manner. 

Q.   Where does Sunhouse receive its money and how is it spent?
A.   Sunhouse receives public donations and students donate what they can to the program to help offset administrative and testing supplies. To date, Sunhouse has not received monies at county, state or federal levels. Sunhouse co-founders and authors of program materials provide their time in a volunteer capacity and will continue to do so until Sunhouse receives stable funding that will sustain the program’s mission. 

Q.   Does Sunhouse take referrals from other agencies?
A.   Yes; currently we have referrals from the following San Joaquin County agencies:

o          Adult Probation
o          Children’s Protective Services (CPS)
o          Parole
o          Mental Health
 

Why we do what we do

"After spending 365 days in a local residential treatment program, attending groups averaging four hours per day, it took less than ninety days after my ‘graduation’ to return to my previous lifestyle of getting high. I encountered an employee of my former program on the street while relapsing to the best of my ability, and he suggested I return and do another year. I asked him two questions and his answers will remain with me forever, 'What could I have done differently?' and 'Will I learn anything different this time?' His answers still haunt me to this day. "Nothing and No" were his replies."               

Jo Ann Ward-Rimmer, Co-founder of Sunhouse

This site and the spirit of Sunhouse is inspired by my deceased father, Mr. Jesse Ward.

"I love you Daddy. You taught me to live and not just survive."

 

Be sure to check out our PDF files at the top of the next page, which gives you an inside look at how students are safely challenged to become healthy human beings.

 

This website maintained by J. Rimmer. Technical difficulties e-mail:  jorimmer@sunhousewarriors.org
Site last updated: November 2008
P.S. Hey folks I wear a lot of hats including website designer which I am learning; I'm no genius at it;  But boy am I having fun learning. Peace!
Disclaimer:   Opinions on this website are of co-founders, Jo Ann Rimmer, RASi and Rodney Rimmer, M.S. and in no way imposes them on supporters of their respective programs or of this website. All material provided on the SunhouseWarriors.org Website is provided for informational or educational purposes only.  Consult a licensed therapist or physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your individual problems or medical condition.

 

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