U-Turn for Christ, Perris, California

U-Turn For Christ Overview

U-Turn for Christ, located in the city of Perris, California, is a Christian discipleship institute which provides residential treatment for men and women dealing with substance addiction problems. The non-profit center has been operating for more than 25 years and offers its services at various locations within and outside the United States—California, New Mexico, Nevada, Maine, Hawaii, Camino, and many more. The organization welcomes clients from different religious and cultural backgrounds although participants are usually required to in Bible studies and church events.

The organization was founded by Pastor Gerry and his wife Peggy who have both had their experiences with drugs and addictive substances. The organization believes in the Biblical model of restoration as the sole method of achieving long-lasting recovery and encourages its clients to serve and help others in their communities. Additionally, the U-Turn for Christ’s goal is to help its enrollees become stable and self-sufficient under the teachings of Jesus Christ. Faith-based programs at the facilities require enrollees to attend weekly church services and a mid-week Bible study session. The organization offers no 12-step, psychology, or psychiatric services as every program is conducted according to the Bible. The minimum length of stay at the facility is 2 months. The organization offers two separate phases of recovery for its clients which include volunteering and Bible-related activities.

Accommodation And Food

The organization’s headquarters is located east of Los Angeles and offers services to both men and women. Accommodation is gender-specific with no more than four persons in a room and residents share bathrooms with one another. Persons in the first phase program are accommodated in military-style quarters and are housed in one large room furnished with bunk beds. Clients are advised to bring 7 days’ worth of clothing (including work and church outfits), pens, notebook, laundry soap and bag, and twin sheets. For men, sleeveless shirts are prohibited and clothing with offensive messages is prohibited. For women, too-short shorts and white t-shirts are prohibited. Other items not allowed in the facility are cell phones and personal electronic devices, secular media, alcohol-containing products, cigarettes, and tobacco products.

Three meals are served daily and residents take turns shifts working in the kitchen with clean up, meal preparation, and serving.

Treatment & Therapy

The center offers services depending on the unique needs of the client. Some of these include:

Residential Program

The organization offers a residential program in two stages—Phase 1 and Phase 2. The first phase lasts for a minimum of two months at one of the ranch locations and encourages healthy relationships between clients. Participants in this stage are involved in daily chores, morning devotion, evening bible study, and volunteer community service. The second phase is six months long and may involve participants committing themselves to Christian service for six months or returning to work while paying monthly donations. There are no therapy sessions at the center as all recovery teachings are bible-based. The organization does not provide detox services but does offer referrals to local treatment centers if necessary.

The following are a list of conditions treated at the facility:

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Co-occurring disorder

Therapy Options

The facility offers some options for treatment which include:

• Faith-based counseling
• Volunteer services

Pricing

U-Turn for Christ costs $500 monthly which is at a rate of $16.50 per day and is made in form of a donation although; this amount is subject to change as it is dependent on the kind of treatment offered. The minimum length of stay at the facility is two months and this is called the “phase 1” of the program. On admission, payments for a two-month commitment to the facility must be made ($1,000) and this payment can be made in different forms including Money order, cashier’s check, and physical cash. This payment will cover all costs for the two-month stay including housing and feeding. Prospective patients are advised to contact the church for more information.

U-Turn For Christ Advantages

The facility accepts all individuals, male or female, into the program as long as such client is eighteen years of age, has been sober for 24 hours, and must not be a registered sex offender. A probation period must be completed after enrollment into the facility and it lasts for 12 days. Residents can only have family members over for visits after this probation and only immediate family members such as Father, Mother, Spouse, and children are allowed.
The organization operates strictly on Christian values and does not support medication for mental health treatment and such. Treatment is strongly based on spirituality and willingness to turn on a new leaf. Non-Christians are allowed but such individuals must be willing to complete each session which involves bible study and complete understanding of the word of God. Clients seeking dual diagnosis or evidence-based treatment may not find this organization to be the best option.

Staff

• Erin Winemiller – Administrative Pastor
• Carolyn Osborn – Administrative Assistant