Cityteam’s facility in Oakland, California offers numerous services designed to assist individuals in need. The residential drug and alcohol treatment program offers long-term care for men that is client-driven and grounded in the 12-Steps. Clients learn responsibility, leadership, and stewardship by working at the mission, while at the same time participating in therapy sessions, anger management meetings, Bible studies, life skills training, and a course of career enhancement designed to help clients find employment after completion of the program.
ABOUT CITYTEAM – OAKLAND
CityTeam is a Christian non-profit providing addiction treatment services to homeless and vulnerable individuals across the country. Established in 1957, it now operates centers in five US cities and serves more than 500,000 individuals annually.
The Oakland, Calif., location offers comprehensive long-term substance-abuse treatment for men, including food and shelter.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The highly structured addiction treatment program at CityTeam includes counseling, recovery-classes on topics such as anger management and relapse prevention, and 12-step meetings. The facility’s website states that drop-in interviews are held weekly.
Men enrolled in the residential program can take classes at The Learning and Career Center to further their educational and vocational skills. Men learn at their own pace with their own individualized lesson plan and can take classes in writing, math, reading comprehension, computer literacy, and ESL, along with building basic life skills. Once they have met their educational goals, they can register to take the GED and begin career counseling, which includes resume preparation, creating and keeping a budget, and understanding job interviews. The center assists clients with job interviews.
Residents are expected to participate in Bible study, share household chores, and hold themselves accountable to one another.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
According to the facility’s website, CityTeam Oakland’s branch is led by a city director with over 20 years of ministry and community experience including working in senior pastor roles.
CityTeam Oakland also utilizes volunteers for meal service, laundry, and kitchen aid. The facility also partners with volunteers to administer medical aid for homeless clients, men in recovery programs, and low-income individuals.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
CityTeam facilities do not offer luxury amenities, and clients must stay in shared rooms. However, all basic necessities are provided for, including three meals a day and clothing.
CityTeam’s Oakland location also offers breakfast everyday and dinner Saturday through Thursday for those in need.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Both alumni responding to a Best-rehabs.com poll to date indicated that they would recommend the facility. They both gave four out of five stars for meal quality, cleanliness of the facility, and connectivity. One anonymous reviewer commented: “City Team gave me help for my addictions and the wherewithal to successfully re-establish my life.” The other anonymous alum added: “I lived there for 2 years and was able through City Team associations to “reboot” my life.”
However, one respondent felt that the facility could be “dangerous” at times while the other commented: “lack of discipline towards people who were incarcerated.”
Reviews gathered elsewhere are positive. On Google, the facility earned 4.5 out of five stars based on eight reviews. Commenter Kenya praised staff and the recovery program, writing: “They show people love and don’t look down on you.”
Yelp reviewer Matthew gave five stars and said: “Helping to make a better place in Oakland. This place under new leadership is turning around quickly.”
WHAT STAFF SAY
Staff at the Oakland facility all give the organization five stars. As an anonymous program lead wrote on Indeed.com: “It is a great place to work to get your life back on track to find yourself city team will help you discover what your purpose is in life.”
FINANCING
CityTeam is a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, churches, and other organizations, and so provides its comprehensive recovery program at a reduced financial cost.
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