ANCHORAGE RESCUE MISSION SERVES COMMUNITY

By Dr. Paula Jo Colescott

Introduction

Dr. Paula Jo Colescott is board certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine and has more than three decades of academic and clinical experience. She is currently the assistant medical director at Providence Breakthrough in Anchorage, Alaska, where she provides pharmacological interventions that aid clients diagnosed with substance abuse disorders in the detoxification process, and in maintaining abstinence. In addition to her medical career, Dr. Paula Jo Colescott is a Board Member of the Anchorage Rescue Mission.

Anchorage Rescue Mission

The Anchorage Rescue Mission is an Evangelical Christian organization committed to providing resources for homeless individuals in the Anchorage area. The 100-bed facility includes 10 beds for women in a separate dorm; all individuals can receive food, clothing, and showers. The Mission offers nightly chapel services as well as The "New Life" Discipleship Training Program which provides 20-25 men a one year intensive residential training program which focuses dedicated bible study and committment to Jesus Christ , mandatory classes in basic, intermediate, and advanced computer skills, GED preparation and testing, with coaching in job searching and interviewing skills.

Conclusion

Many of the men have participated in building homes for Habitat for Humanity, and are currently being trained in the culinary arts, dry wall, facility maintanence, painting, under the instruction of skilled staff. These men also participate in process groups facilitated by the Department of Clinical Community Psychology @ the University of Alaska Anchorage in anger management,problem solving, self management, with motivational enhancement. The most important skill taught is: the ability to rely on the power of Jesus Christ in all life’s circumstances for guidance in sound decision making skills