FHR Maine launches Community Rehabilitation Services

Broadway House resident inaugurates new Fellowship Health Resources supplementary residential program by moving out and living independently

Contributed by: Erika Sloan, Public Relations/Web Content Coordinator

Bangor, ME - August 8, 2011 - Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. (FHR) has launched its Community Rehabilitation Services with the help of former Broadway House resident Scott P. As the first participant in this program, Scott has been successfully living on his own.

Community Rehabilitation Services offer residents of FHR programs the opportunity to move out on their own while retaining the support of the residential staff that has helped in their personal journey to recovery. 

As the first participant, Scott P. lives in his own apartment. "It is something that I have always wanted, to live on my own," Scott says. "I feel happy and I'm proud to be the first one."

FHR staff checks in on Scott frequently to offer support, drive him to appointments, and help in any way that they can. “The visits now are only for about an hour a day,” says Day Program Coordinator Sherri Grant. “We’re all ‘nervous moms’ and might check in on him more often than we will in the future once we settle into these new roles. The nervousness may lessen as Scott becomes more confident and independent.”

Community Rehabilitation Services will become available to FHR persons served as they reach this step in recovery. Independent apartments will be located close to the FHR program houses to ensure familiarity and support in an independent lifestyle.

“Scott’s apartment is about one mile from the Broadway House and about two miles from the Ralph Street home,” Grant says. “He knows that he can go to either house at any time for assistance.”

“When Scott first arrived at the Broadway House in 2007 from a foster family, he was a shy person. He had limited daily living and social skills. Now he goes out once a week and enjoys role-playing games with friends,” Grant says. “He talks about hanging out at his apartment building with the ‘guys.’”

Case Manager Kathy Anderson has known Scott for over two years and talks about his growth as an individual. “Scott is exploring interests such as getting his driver’s license and a part time job,” she says. “He scheduled time to study and passed his driving permit test.”

Scott also volunteers at the Red Cross blood bank twice a month. At first, he volunteered with staff support, but now, he visits the blood bank on his own.

“The challenge that I see with living independently is being lonely sometimes. I’d like to get a cat so that I can have someone to come home to everyday,” Scott says.

“We hope other residents at Broadway House and the Ralph Street home will be able to become a part of this program as well,” Grant says. “We’re excited to see everyone grow and move forward in their lives. With the Community Rehabilitation Services available at FHR, the consumer maintains mental stability and still belongs in our Fellowship family.”

For more information about the Community Rehabilitation Services in Maine, contact Regional Director Brent Bailey at 207-947-9630.