Emotional Growth - Level 1
Learning Emotional Growth
Although we are not technically a rehab facility, many of our students are recovering addicts. For these, it's time to kick the habit and embrace emotional growth. For others, emotional growth has been the problem all along, and they just never seemed to "grow up." For each of these groups, Level one is a wake-up call. Level One is where their journey begins. It is the most structured level and personal freedom is limited. A full-time Primary Counselor is assigned to guide each student throughout the course of his or her emotional growth program. Students will formulate their own educational, vocational, emotional/behavioral independent living plan. This plan is the ‘benchmark’ of their program and will serve as a guide throughout their stay. Learning to accept responsibility, to become accountable and to develop personal discipline are core elements of their daily lessons.
Applying Emotional Growth
Education is a key to the emotional growth, and to success in life itself. Each student will begin to define his or her educational and career goals. For those who need to complete high school, attendance at Redlands Adult School is required. The goal is to receive a high school diploma upon completion. Benchmark students will also enroll in courses at local area community colleges to begin (or continue) their general education requirements and may pursue classes at vocational and technical trades schools.
Benchmark students learn to work! Teaching the concept of a solid work ethic begins in Level One, as each student must participate in Benchmark’s Work-Study Program. This program helps teach work concepts by providing students with “hands-on” projects that they will manage and complete. Students learn basic skills such as the concepts of electricity, plumbing and elementary repairs. They assist counselors with on-campus projects, such as painting and minor repairs.
Future Emotional Growth
Students live at our exclusive 18-unit apartment complex with a small group of their peers. Resident counselors also live on property and are on duty after hours and during weekends. Regardless of program level, all students must contribute to their share of the daily living chores such as doing the laundry, shopping, cleaning, meal-planning and cooking.
Sobriety is another aspect of emotional growth. All students must live a clean and sober while at Benchmark. For those who have struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, a program of recovery is strictly followed. This may include detoxification, in or out-patient therapy and attendance at 12-Step AA/NA meetings. Our staff psychiatrist will monitor students who require medication.
