Pubdate: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 Source: Charlotte Observer (NC) Copyright: 2001 The Charlotte Observer Contact: http://www.charlotte.com/observer/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78 Author: Dave Baity Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) SITE GETS NEW LIFE, ADDICTS GAIN HOPE GASTONIA -- Cornerstone Christian Center, closed more than a year ago because of staff resignations, waning community support, and money problems, is expected to reopen next year. An executive director who is a certified substance-abuse counselor should be hired by mid-November and report to work in early February, said Bill Kaser, chairman of the board of directors of the 12-year-old center. That would mean the residential treatment center for drug and alcohol abusers could begin taking clients by March 15. I think that's great news, because Cornerstone serves men who can't afford private care and might wind up in jail or living on the streets if they don't get treatment. And the telephone answering machine the center kept active demonstrates a big need. Even though the center has been closed, more than 170 callers left messages requesting help. The Gaston-Lincoln County mental health program has a detoxification unit to get clients off drugs or alcohol, followed by outpatient counseling. But without around-the-clock support after detox, such as what Cornerstone provides, clients often return to their addictions, said the Rev. Jody Seymour, pastor of Gastonia's First United Methodist Church. Seymour and Ben Rudisill, owner of a Gaston County beer distributorship, helped launch a fund-raising campaign early this year to get the center back in operation. The campaign has raised about $182,000 of the center's $225,000 yearly operating cost, Rudisill said. Area businesses pledged $78,000. Another $67,000 came from endowments and private foundations. An appeal Seymour made to area churches raised $37,000. Volunteers have applied for grants to pay the remaining cost, Rudisill said. "We hope contributions from the business and religious community will be on a continuing basis," he said, adding he thinks that will happen when potential donors see results of the center's work. As part of their treatment, clients will operate a planned county recycling center on East Long Avenue, clean streets and do other odd jobs, Rudisill said. The center receives no United Way or government funding. It can take 18 male clients at a time for 120 days of treatment. They will spend the first 30 days drying out from their addictions and undergoing counseling. During the next 90 days, clients will spend mornings in Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Bible study sessions. Afternoons will be devoted to work. Clients pay nothing to enroll, but half of what they earn goes toward the $1,200 cost of their care. Seymour said he made an appeal to Gaston County's religious community because "we believe that helping (drug and alcohol abusers) turn their lives around is a mission of the church." So far, 27 churches have included Cornerstone, but at least 20 more are needed to sustain the operation. That should tug at the hearts of lots of churchgoers since caring for those in need is a big part of their religious beliefs. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk