Our Programs and Services

Substance use disorders are chronic conditions, which affect the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual domains of life. Like other chronic conditions, substance use disorders can be arrested through proper prevention, treatment, and sustained recovery efforts. Traditional treatment attempts to treat a chronic condition using an acute model of care. At EDI we recognize the need to maintain appropriate supportive services over a period of time to address the chronic nature of substance use disorders. Recovery is a reality. At EDI we provide the support, structure, and accountability necessary for recovery to happen.

EDI’s core services include:

Supportive Housing Program

EDI’s supportive housing program is designed to assist individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.  EDI provides safe, stable housing combined with recovery support services to enable individuals to build a foundation and maintain recovery, develop critical life skills, and work on achieving individualized goals to enhance their wellbeing.  EDI is committed to providing a living environment characterized by mutual respect, daily structure, and personal accountability.  EDI currently has 10 beds available on a self-pay basis.

Self-Pay Recovery Housing

EDI has supportive housing available for 10 Berks County residents on a self-pay basis. Self-pay beds are for individuals who meet the criteria listed below for EDI’s permanent supportive housing program, except that they have not experienced chronic homelessness and can afford to pay 3 months of housing fees. Self-pay residents receive recovery support services, educational groups, and life skills to build up their recovery capital and equip them for their journey to long term recovery.   

Permanent Supportive Housing

EDI Permanent Supportive Housing program (PSH) is focused on serving 40 individuals with the disability of substance use disorder, and who have experienced chronic homelessness, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  PSH residents stay at EDI for an average of approximately 12 months.  During their stay, residents receive recovery support services, educational groups, and life skills in recovery to enable them to become self-sufficient and regain independent living. Individuals in our permanent supportive housing program must meet the following criteria:

  • Experienced chronic homelessness, defined by HUD as being continually homeless for 12 months, or having 4 or more episodes of homelessness in the last three years that add up to a total of 12 months.
  • If you are in an institution, such as a rehab or treatment center, you must have been homeless before entering and must have stayed less than 90 days.
  • Have a documentable disability such as substance use disorder, and/or a mental health diagnosis, or physical disability
  • Be committed to recovery from addiction
  • Have a need for supportive services
  • If involved in the criminal justice system, offenses must be non-violent

Recovery Support Services

Every client at EDI works one-on-one with a certified recovery support specialist (RSS). Beginning with an assessment of needs, each client works with their RSS to formulate an individualized recovery plan. Recovery plans address multiple domains including housing, education, employment, basic needs, substance abuse treatment, recovery, legal, mental health, physical health, family/social, and life skills. Goals and action steps are identified for every area of need, with the overarching goal of helping clients to develop higher levels of wellness and independent functioning. Clients are empowered to make changes in their lives, connected to crucial services, and supported through the process of change. 

Life Skills Groups

EDI programming focuses on the development of critical life skills to help individuals to achieve sustainable recovery and personal growth. Our life skills groups include daily meditation, Recovery 101, and other psycho education groups focusing on topics such as interpersonal skills, job readiness, resume writing, health and wellness, anger management, boundaries, relapse prevention, spirituality, and mindfulness. 

Recovery Oriented Events for the Community

EDI hosts a number of drug and alcohol-free events for our residents, their families, and the local recovery community. Events such as these provide a safe environment for families to reconnect and rebuild relationships.  Our major events include our New Year’s Eve Gala, Halloween Party, Summer Picnic, Soberstock, Berks County Recovery Walk, Super Bowl party, March Madness watch party, and our annual golf tournament, EDI Open. We also host a men’s spiritual breakfast monthly. Lastly, we rent our event hall for individuals and organizations to host their own drug and alcohol-free events.

Recovery Awareness and Advocacy

EDI is committed to raising awareness about the reality of recovery. Events such as the Soberstock and the recovery walk have a strong focus on raising awareness. Members of the EDI team are also involved in education, advocacy and awareness raising through their participation on committees and task forces, such as the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness and SoS, the Berks County Opioid Coalition.  We also have a regular spot on BCTV where we host discussions about topics related to recovery. 

Training and Educational Programming for the Community

EDI hosts trainings and educational programs for the public, including our Family Education and Support Groups. We contract with Berks County to facilitate StopLift, a shoplifting intervention program for adults and juveniles.

New Service Location: EDI at Atonement!

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