I quit volunteering when I realized that this place exists solely for the people who started it and their families. Although it's legally a non-profit, the "owners" and their family members operate it to maximize their very high salaries. This involves such things as their notorious practice of evicting people shortly after their arrival for the flimsiest of reasons and keeping the entire cost of the six week stay. The extent of their dishonesty is hard to imagine but they'll do almost anything to make more money.
Knowing that I wasn't trapped at the St. Jude Retreat House for six weeks and was able to use
my cell phone for business and personal matters, meant a lot to me. I can put forth the things I have learned from the St. Jude Program and instructors, in my life now while I am here at the Retreat House. It
has made a difference already.
When I first walked through the doors at the Saint Jude Retreats I knew i was finally going to make it. I had gone to rehab the year prior and relapsed probably within a month, attended meetings as they told me to do, and nothing seemed to be different. I was told I was an Addict and i guess that stuck in my mind. The first thing they told me when I called Saint Jude's was - YOU ARE NOT AN ADDICT - and you can change even without attending our program. I was like WOW, this people care, since every other place I called I was pretty much told, either you attend treatment or you will die!!!! Talk about positive motivation. From there they helped me realize that I was in control and that I was the only one that I could ever change, forever if I wanted it to... and that is what happened. Now almost 5 years later, still keep all the lessons I learned with me and will always be forever grateful for their help. Thanks Saint Jude's