Call 1-866-351-3546 to find out more about costs for treatment.

*We (RehabCosts.org) provide a nationwide call center for those who need assistance locating a rehab center. This is NOT a phone number for Urban Ministries Charlotte - SABER, it is a third party service. To reach Urban Ministries Charlotte - SABER directly please call (704) 347-0278

The Urban Ministry Center offers homeless, substance-abusing men, a home.

The program is called SABER (Substance Abuse Education and Recovery). Director Marilyn Furman brought the model from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, based upon their addiction research.

SABER combines nine months of therapy and life-changing skills with the guarantee of free housing, as long as the person stays drug and alcohol-free. This expectation helps the program achieve a 55% success rate after nine months, compared with a national average of 20% for other substance programs.

In addition, 85% complete SABER’s three-month intensive treatment.

There’s another important difference: SABER costs $500 per person per month, compared with an average of $2,300 per month for typical residential care.

How the program works:

SABER admits one new person every one to two weeks, with a capacity of 32 men each year. Each individual receives three months of intensive outpatient treatment followed by six months of continuing care. Broken lives are rebuilt through three months of life-changing therapy and six months of continuing care, which includes job training and acquisition, meditation, anger management, yoga and, of course, housing. SABER includes 14 four-bedroom apartments on Central Avenue, donated by the CentroBono Foundation.

Drug-testing is conducted three times each week. Successful men keep the apartment and earn cash and WalMart gift cards – incentives both large and small that make the difference.

SABER is a nine-month journey toward self-sufficiency. The program offers enough time for mind and body to heal and provides a more realistic setting for successful recovery.

For information, contact Director Marilyn Furman.

Donations of $5 Wal-Mart gift cards are greatly appreciated. Every contribution improves our community, one life at a time.