Adult Rehabilitation Center to stay in Minneapolis
The Salvation Army has withdrawn its proposal to build a new Adult Rehabilitation Center in Coon Rapids and will stay at its current location in the North Loop section of Minneapolis, for now.
Since 1964, the program has been housed there, along with a Salvation Army store and the donation processing center. The building itself has been in need of extensive repair, and previous quotes for making those changes were too expensive to pursue.
But now, thanks to more research and increased communication with city code enforcement officials, the building has been brought up to code. Plans are in the works to address additional issues with one of the elevators, which is not currently in use.
“We have always enjoyed a good relationship with the city of Minneapolis and we are happy to be staying here,” said Major Jerry O’Neil, administrator of the Adult Rehabilitation Center.
O’Neil says the program will continue to look for other sites to build a new, larger and more modern facility.
“We believe we are a great fit for the city of Minneapolis and we will keep looking for the right place to expand our program. But for now, we are happy to stay home with our improved facility,” O’Neil explained.
The Adult Rehabilitation Center provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation to up to 120 men at a time, for free or very low cost, depending on their ability to pay.
The men who are enrolled are required to make a six month commitment to the religious-based program. They live on-site and must participate in work therapy, while adhering to strict rules of conduct. Participants are regularly tested for drug and alcohol use, and there are no violent criminals or sex offenders admitted. A resident manager is on-site 24 hours a day.
The goal of this program is to provide spiritual, emotional and social support for participants, helping them to re-enter society and return to gainful employment. The program is funded by Salvation Army stores that sell donated goods.