THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

[♪♪] CONNECTING MARYLANDERS TO THEIR GOVERNMENT, THIS IS "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: WELCOME TO "STATE CIRCLE".

JUST AHEAD ON OUR PROGRAM THIS WEEK, 140 YEARS OF BATTLING ADDICTION.

AND A MOBILE LAUNDRY SERVICE GIVING RESIDENTS A FRESH START.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH THE LATEST ON THE KEY BRIDGE.

THE NTSB RELEASING THE RECORD ON THE CAUSE HAPPENING 20 MONTHS AGO THERE WAS A SMALL WIRE WAS THE ROOT CAUSE.

THAT WIRE CUT POWER ON THE CARGO SHIP AT THAT TIME THEN RAN INTO THE BRIDGE CLAIMING SIX LIVES.

MEANTIME THIS WEEK STATE OFFICIALS REVISED THEIR PLANS FOR BUILDING A REPLACEMENT A PROJECTED OPENING DAY DATE IN 2028 HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK TWO YEARS AND THE COST HAS JUMPED BY MORE THAN 100%.

[♪♪] OUR NEWSMAKER IS BRUCE GARTNER HE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

AND TELL US WHAT IS NEW WITH THE KEY BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PLAN?

>> THANK YOU, JEFF I APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO TALK TO YOUR AUDIENCE TODAY.

BECAUSE WHAT IS NEW IS BOTH THE COST ESTIMATE FOR THE BRIDGE AND THE TIME IT WILL TAKE TO COMPLETE IT.

AS YOU MAY RECALL, WE CAME OUT WITH A NUMBER ON THE BRIDGE JUST 13 DAYS AFTER THE DALI STRUCK THE BRIDGE AND THAT WAS THAT 1.7-1.9 BILLION RANGE.

TODAY THIS WEEK, WE ANNOUNCED THE RANGE IS NOW 4.3 TO 5.2 BILLION AND WE ARE PRESENTING THAT INFORMATION WITH DETAILS TO OUR BOARD NEXT WEEK WHEN THEY UPDATE OUR FINANCIAL FORECAST AND OUR CAPITAL PROGRAM.

>> Jeff: AND THE UPDATES PUSHBACK THE COMPLETION DATE BY TWO YEARS WHICH IS NOT GOING TO BE POPULAR WITH PEOPLE SITTING IN BACK UPS AT THE TUNNELS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

IT IS A CHALLENGE AT THE TUNNELS NOW I COMMUTE EVERYDAY I SEE IT.

AND YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO GO FROM WE HAD PROJECTED 2028 WITHOUT DOING DESIGN OR ENGINEERING OF THE BRIDGE WITH THE EARLY ESTIMATES AND NOW WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO DIG IN AND COME UP WITH 70S OF OUR DESIGN IN A RECORD AMOUNT OF TIME WE KNOW WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TO COMPLETE THE BRIDGE AND THAT IS THE END OF 2030.

>> Jeff: ON THE COST ESTIMATE, THE ORIGINAL BRIDGE WHEN IT WAS BUILT IN THE 70s WAS $60 MILLION ACCORDING TO YOUR DEPARTMENT.

AND CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN INFLATION BUT EVEN IF YOU FACTOR THAT IN THIS IS 10 TYPES AS EXPENSIVE AND THE RIVER HAS NOT GOTTEN WIDER.

>> BUT THE SHIPS HAVE GOTTEN BIGGER.

WHEN YOU BUILD A NEW BRIDGE YOU HAVE TO DO CALCULATIONS BASED ON THE FLEET OF SHIPS COMING THROUGH THE RIVER IN OUR SHIPPING CHANNEL AND YOU HAVE TO EVALUATE THAT RISK AND DO CALCULATIONS BASED ON THEIR SIZE AND FOR A NEW BRIDGE THAT THE WIDTH CROSSING THE RIVER IS SUFFICIENT TO MEET THOSE NEW LOW GUIDELINES AND THEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROTECTION AROUND THE BRIDGE.

SO IT IS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECTION SYSTEM THE SIZE OF THEM THAT YOU SEE IN THE RENDERINGS IS LARGER THAN A FOOTBALL FIELD.

THE BRIDGE HEIGHT WHEN WE WERE ESTIMATING THAT HEIGHT BACK IN RIGHT AFTER THE COLLAPSE WE WERE THINKING IT WOULD BE 215, THE COAST GUARD ACTUALLY SET THE REQUIREMENTS AT 230 FEET ABOVE THE WATER.

SO IF YOU GO HIGHER YOU HAVE TO GO WIDER YOU HAVE TALLER TOWERS.

THE TOWERS YOU ARE SEEING ARE 600 FEET.

WHEN WE WERE THINKING ABOUT IN THE EARLY DAYS IT WAS 500 FEET AND NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE IN EXCESS OF THE WORLD TRADE IN BALTIMORE.

THEY ARE SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES TO KEEP THAT BRIDGE UP AT THE RIGHT PLACE IN THE RIVER CHANNEL.

>> Jeff: THERE IS A SIMILAR CABLE DESIGNED BRIDGE BEING BUILT CURRENTLY IN DETROIT THE TALL -- THE TOWERS WILL BE TALLER BECAUSE THE SPAN BETWEEN THE TWO MAIN PIERS IS TWICE AS LARGE, WHICH IF YOU STUCK THAT DESIGN IN THE RIVER WOULD NE DATE ANY NEED FOR DEFENDING THE PIERS BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE ON LAND OR 10 FEET OF WATER WHERE A CARGO SHIP CANNOT DID.

WAS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION TO SPREADING IT OUT AND HAVING A WIDER SPAN?

>> SO THE IMPACT OF SPREADING IT OUT MEANS YOU HAVE TO KEEP A CERTAIN GRADE OF THE BRIDGE TO LAND THAT KIND OF A STRUCTURE IF THE PIERS ARE FARTHER BACK, IT WOULD TAKE US TO BEAR CREEK.

YOU WOULD BE RECONSTRUCTING THE ROADWAY ON EITHER SIDE FOR LONGER PERIODS SO THE ENGINEERS HAVE TO MAKE THAT TRADE OFF THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EVEN MORE TIME.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING?

IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO 100% FUNDING AND THAT WAS FOR A ROUGHLY $2 BILLION BRIDGE AND NOW YOU ARE BUILDING A $5 BILLION BRIDGE.

>> THAT WAS A CONGRESSIONAL ACTION THAT WAS TAKEN IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION SO CONGRESS THANKFULLY SUPPORTED 100% COST SHARE.

BUT THAT COST SHARE ALSO ASSUMES THAT THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES FOR THIS WILL REIMBURSE THE TAXPAYERS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO ASSESS THE DAMAGES AGAINST THE SHIP OWNERS.

THAT COURT CASE IS ONGOING.

AND YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL FUNDING HELPS US KEEP GOING FORWARD WHILE WE WAIT PO FOR THAT COURT ACTION TO TAKE PLACE.

>> Jeff: THE NTSB HAD COMPLAINED THAT THE STATE HAD NOT DONE A SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF THE KEY BRIDGE BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT AND THAT SINCE THE ACCIDENT THERE HAD BEEN NO SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF THE TWIN SPANS OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY BRIDGE.

HAS THAT CHANGED?

>> THE ASSESSMENT OF THE BAY INDUSTRY FORUM FOR A PIER PROTECTION SYSTEM WE'RE CONSIDERING.

$170 MILLION FOR THE BAY BRIDGE STRUCTURES THAT WE EXPECT TO ADVERTISE THIS MONTH.

THAT WORK WAS DONE IT TAKES A WHILE.

IT WAS FINALIZED IN ORDER TO GET THIS PROCUREMENT MOVING AND WE EXPECT TO ADVERTISE THAT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> Jeff: AND LASTLY ON THE KEY BRIDGE WAS THERE ANY CONSIDERATION AFTER THE ACCIDENT OF JUST REPLACING THE CENTER SPAN, TRUSS UNIT THAT HA FALLEN AND REUSING THE REST OF THE BRIDGE I WONDER IN THE ALMOST TWO YEARS IF THAT WORK COULDN'T HAVE MAYBE BEEN COMPLETED BY NOW?

>> SO THE KEY BRIDGE AND THAT STRUCTURE WAS PRETTY OLD ITSELF BUILT IN THE MID-1970s.

AND WE LOOKED AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN THE EARLY DAYS.

BUT THE PIERS WOULD HAVE REMAINED IN THE SAME PLACE IN THAT SITUATION.

AND WHAT WE'RE GETTING IS A BRIDGE THAT WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS.

FOR THE PORT OF BALTIMORE AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION AND THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: THAT WAS BRUCE GARTNER.

A REMARKABLE STORY OF HUMANITY AT ITS WEAKEST ALSO AT ITS BEST.

MORE THAN 600 PEOPLE ARE LIVING FULL-TIME AT A BALTIMORE REHAB CENTER THAT HAS BEEN TURNING LIVES AROUND NOW FOR MORE THAN 140 YEARS.

THE HELPING UP MISSION IN EAST BALTIMORE PLAYS THE LONG GAME ADDICTED AND OFTEN HOMELESS MEN AND WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO LIVE HERE FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

THERE IS NO COST.

IT IS A PROGRAM BUILT ON COMPASSION, FAITH AND SCIENCE.

AND BACKED BY PHILANTHROPIC AND GOVERNMENT SUPPORT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE CAME THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

WE SPOKE WITH SHAWN CALVIN AND BRIAN VINCER.

GENTLEMEN TALK FOR TALKING WITH US.

TELL US FIRST, SEAN, WHAT DO YOU DO HERE?

>> I AM A TREATMENT SERVICE MANAGER I OVERSEE THE TREATMENT DEPARTMENT AND COORDINATOR I OVERSEE FIVE OTHER COORDINATORS AND TREATMENT COORDINATORS HELP THE GUYS NAVIGATE THE PROGRAM FROM THE CLASSES TO THE MEETINGS TO MENTAL HEALTH TO GBMC THE DOCTORS, JOHN HOPKINS BUT THE BIGGEST PIECE IS RECOVERY COACHING.

THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

HELP INDIVIDUALS DISCOVER THEMSELVES AND THEIR PATH OF RECOVERY.

>> Jeff: BRIAN YOU ARE HELPED PEOPLE ON FUTURE EMPLOYMENT?

>> YES, AS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT I OVERSEE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE DEVELOP OR SEPARATE AWAY FROM BARRIERS THAT WOULD KEEP THEM IN EMPLOYMENT AND HELP THEM FIND AT THAT TIME EMPLOYMENT LATER.

>> Jeff: HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CONNECTION WITH HELPING UP MISSION.

>> I CAME AS A CLIENT IN 2015 I FOUND MYSELF, VERY CLOSE TO GOING TO JAIL.

AND I HAD ONE OPTION TO GET OUT WAS TO GO TO A TREATMENT CENTER.

I NO INSURANCE AND NO WAY OF GETTING IN ANYWHERE.

THE HELPING UP MISSION WAS THE ONLY OPTION AND THANK GOD I MADE IT HERE.

>> Jeff: WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND?

>> 22 YEARS OF ADDICTION.

WHEN I CAME TO THE HELPING UP MISSION I CAME AS A HOMELESS ADDICT EATING OUT OF DUMPSTERS AND LIVING TO GET HIGH.

THE MISSION WAS MY 11TH PROGRAM SO I DIDN'T THINK RECOVERY WORKED.

I TOLD MYSELF I WAS GOING TO DIANE ADDICT AND HERE I AM CLEAN AND SOBER.

12 YEARS AS A PROFESSIONAL RECOVERY COACH.

>> Jeff: WHAT WAS DIFFERENT HERE?

WHY DID THAT LAST PROGRAM WORK WHEN OTHERS HADN'T?

>> OUR C.E.O.

SPOKE ON IT EARLIER, GOD.

I'VE BEEN IN PROGRAMS ALL ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, NEW YORK, WHEN I WALKED INTO THE MISSION IT HIT ME.

IT HIT ME.

THIS IS IS IT.

GOD HAD HIS HAND ON IT.

I STARTED CRYING.

I'M TEARING UP NOW.

THE OVERWHELMING FEELING OF PEACE AND TRANSFORMATION THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN I WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS.

I JUST KNEW IT.

>> Jeff: YOU HEAR PEOPLE SAY YOU HAVE TO BE READY.

>> YOU DO.

>> Jeff: THE TIMING HAS TO BE >> THIS IS WHY I SPOKE ON WHAT I SPOKE ON.

AS AN ADDICT YOU COME IN A LOT OF TIMES YOU ARE TRYING TO MANIPULATE AND GET WHAT YOU FEEL YOU NEED.

IN MY HEAD IT WAS THAT BUT AS SOON AS I STEPPED IN THE LOBBY AND I LOOKED AT THE YOS ON THE WALL AND THE CHAPEL IT HIT ME AND JUST TEARS THIS IS IT.

>> Jeff: THINKING ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU GENTLEMEN HAVE WITH CLIENTS HERE ALL THE TIME, AND NOT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT BUT DOES ANYTHING COME TO MIND AS EITHER LIKE THE BEST CONVERSATION YOU EVER HAD WITH SOMEBODY OR THE WORST CONVERSATION?

SOMETHING THAT EITHER HAD THAT MOMENT WITH SOMEBODY, OR WENT OFF THE RAILS.

>> I JUST HAD ONE RECENTLY.

INDIVIDUAL COMING IN TELLING ME HE IS NOT GOING TO DO THIS I'M NOT DOING THIS I'M NOT GOING YOU ARE NOT GETTING THIS.

THIS ISN'T FOR ME.

THREE HOURS LATER HE COMES BACK CRYING.

I APOLOGIZE.

PLEASE HELP ME.

I TALKED TO A FEW PEOPLE AND THEY ASKED ME TO COME BACK TO SPEAK TO YOU BECAUSE YOU WERE THE ONE TO SPEAK TO.

PLEASE TALK TO ME.

I TALKED TO HIM AND 30 MINUTES LATER HE IS STILL HERE THREE, FOUR MONTHS LATER.

>> Jeff: AWESOME.

WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE, YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY IN A BEAUTIFUL FACILITY THAT THE COMMUNITY IS BEHIND YOU.

WHAT ARE LIKE THE FIRST THINGS YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO KNOW WHEN THEY SIGN ON?

>> THAT THERE IS HOPE.

RIGHT?

WE HAVE TONS OF RESOURCES AND TONS OF THINGS AND TONS OF INFORMATION WE CAN GIVE PEOPLE UP FRONT.

BUT WHAT I THINK THE MESSAGE THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PORTRAY IS THERE IS HOPE AND WE CAN UNCOVER ALL THE THINGS WHEN WE GET THERE BUT STICK AND STAY.

>> AND FOR ME AND HOW I ALWAYS SPEAK ON IT EVEN WITH MY BROTHER BRIAN WE ARE BEACONS OF LIGHT.

RECOVERY WORKS.

HOPE IS REAL.

WE CAME IN BASICALLY ZERO STATISTICS IN SOCIETY'S EYES EMPTY.

HOMELESS ADDICTS.

COMING FROM INCARCERATION AND YOU KNOW, CONVICTS?

WE STAND HERE TODAY AS PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY SAYING RECOVERY DOES WORK.

>> Jeff: A GREAT PLACE TO END IT.

FELLAS, APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>>> ABOUT A THOUSAND PEOPLE DIE OF ADDICTION EACH YEAR IN BALTIMORE MOSTLY FROM OPIOIDS.

140 YEARS AGO WHEN THE HELPING UP MISSION GOT ITS START IT WAS THE BOTTLE NOT THE PILL OR THE NEEDLE THAT WAS TAKING LIVES.

WE SAT DOWN WITH C.E.O.

DANIEL STOLZFUS.

HOW DID THIS GET STARTED?

>> WELL IT WAS A MINISTER NAMED ABRAHAM THAT CAME TO BALTIMORE IN 1885.

AND HE JUST SAW THE NEED ON THE STREET.

I CAN IMAGINE, I'VE TRIED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT BALTIMORE MIGHT HAVE SMELLED LIKE, WHAT IT MIGHT HAVE LOOKED LIKE.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TIMES OF GREAT ECONOMIC PANIC.

POST RECONSTRUCTION UPHEAVAL RIGHT?

A LOT OF ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.

AND HE SAW THE NEEDS ON THE STREET.

HE SAW MEN AND WOMEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

HE SAW ALCOHOLISM BEING RAMPANT IN THE CITY AND WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE UP.

SO HE STEPPED AWAY FROM BEING A METHODIST LIKE A CIRCUIT RIDER MOVED FROM VIRGINIA AND WE HAVE DISCOVERED HE LIVED AROUND THE CORNER HERE AT ONE POINT IN 1892.

SO THE LOCATION OF HELPING UP MISSION MOVED AROUND BUT THE FOCUS REMAINED THANKFULLY VERY CLEAR.

HAD IS TO PROVIDE THE WAY THEY WROTE IT IN THE ORIGINAL ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION IN 1892 WERE WE WANT TO PROVIDE RELIEF AND REFORMMATION FOR DRUNKEREDS AND OTHERS THE NEEDS OF ADDICTION WE SEE NOW AND PROVIDE HELP FOR THOSE LEADING ABANDONED LIVES.

WE ARE STANDING ON THAT LEGACY AND HISTORY AND TRYING TO CARRY IT FORWARD TO TODAY WITH THE NEEDS WE SEE IN OUR TWO CAMPUSES HERE TO SERVE MEN AND WOMEN BATTLING ADDICTION WHO HAVE FACED HOMELESSNESS AND PROVIDE HOPE AND TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE.

AND WE FEEL LIKE WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE WE ARE STANDING ON THAT LEGACY THAT HISTORY.

AND CERTAINLY MY PREDECESSOR BOB, IN THE MID-90s, CAME IN AND REALLY TRANSFORMED OUR MISSION HELPING UP MISSION, AND PUT MORE OF THE FOCUS ON LONG-TERM ADDICTION RECOVERY PROGRAMS.

>> Jeff: IS THIS ALL RESIDENTIAL?

I KNOW IT'S ABOUT 600 PEOPLE AT A GIVEN TIME.

IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ANY OF THEM DROPPING IN FOR THERAPY AS OPPOSED TO LIVING ON-SITE?

>> WELL, OUR PROGRAMS ARE ALL REN SHAM.

WE DO HAVE OVERNIGHT GUESTS.

WE DO HAVE SOME PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE CALL GATEWAY AND NEXT STEP THAT ARE PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL HOSPITALS WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE COMING HERE BECAUSE THEY SHOWED UP AT A HOSPITAL PUT THEY NEEDED TO GET INTO LONG-TERM RECOVERY TREATMENT, IN OTHER WORDS ADDICTION WAS THE MAIN ISSUE.

AND WE HELP THEM GET INTO A RECOVERY PROGRAM.

WHETHER IT'S OURS OR ANOTHER ONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE WORK WITH.

IN THAT SENSE PEOPLE STAY HERE FOR A SHORTER TERM BUT WE'RE FOCUSED ON RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY.

AND ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THAT WE BELIEVE STRONGLY IN THIS CONCEPT OF COMMUNITY.

WE'VE LEARNED THAT ISOLATION IS WHAT THE GREAT ENEMIES WHEN YOU ARE BATTLING ADDICTION.

AND WHEN SOMEBODY IS OUT AND ALONE AND THEY DON'T HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS BECAUSE MAYBE THEIR ADDICTION LED THEM DOWN A ROAD CUTOFF FROM THOSE RELATIONSHIPS BEING A PART OF A COMMUNITY, ACTUALLY CAN BE PART OF THE TRANSFORMATION, PART OF THE CHANGE AND THE KIND OF SUPPORT THAT COMES IN THE COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO DIFFERENTLY.

A LOT OF RESIDENTIAL INPATIENT TREATMENT IS A MATTER OF WEEKS MAYBE MONTHS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

IT IS A DISTINCTIVE WHAT WE DO.

AND AGAIN, IT'S JUST BEEN A LESSON LEARNED.

THE CULTURE, THE DYNAMIC OF THIS PLACE IS BUILT ON YOU WILL TALK TO OUR GRADUATES NOW ON STAFF, IT'S BUILT ON PEERS AND RECOVERY HELPING THEIR PEERS FIND RECOVERY.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM TALKING TO THEM AND WHAT WE'VE LEARNED WITH OUR EXPERIENCE OF HAVING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE COMING INTO OUR PROGRAM, WHO ARE 15-20 YEARS IN ADDICTION WE BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT A SHORTER TERM PROGRAM ISN'T NECESSARILY GOING TO CHANGE AT THAT TIME NARRATIVE.

IT TAKES TIME.

IT TAKES FOCUS.

IT TAKES BEING SURROUNDED BY OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

HAVING SPIRITUALLY ORIENTED RECOVERY CLASSES.

HAVING CLINICAL SERVICES THAT WE PARTNER WITH JOHNS HOPKINS TO PROVIDE.

HAVING THIS ENVIRONMENT, WE BELIEVE IS A PART OF LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND GETS THE RESULTS.

IT'S NOT FOR EVERYBODY.

NOT EVERYBODY IS READY FOR THAT COMMITMENT.

SO WE HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS ON CAMPUS WHERE WE HAVE SHORTER TERM OPTIONS THAT WE PARTNER WITH OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO OFFER.

BUT THAT'S REALLY OUR PRIMARY PROGRAM FLAGSHIP OUR FOCUS.

>> Jeff: HOW BIG A PART OF IT IS THE SPIRITUAL ASPECT?

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT SALVATION ARMY, YOU THINK ABOUT ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS, THE 12-STEP PROGRAM IT'S BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT AND PROVEN TO HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> THE 12 STEPS ARE CENTRAL TO WHAT WE DO AND THE 12 STEPS ARE DEEPLY ROOTED ROOTED IN SPIRITU, BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES.

BUT WE USE THAT AS A ROADMAP AS A FRAMEWORK, BECAUSE WE ARE A UNASHAMEDLY A CHRISTIAN ORGANIZATION THAT IS OUR ROOTS I TALKED ABOUT THE METHODIST MINISTER WHO FOUNDED IT.

BUT WE MEET PEOPLE EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR OWN FAITH JOURNEY.

MANY MEN AND WOMEN COME TO US THEY DON'T SHARE OUR FAITH THEY MIGHT HAVE A DIFFERENT FAITH OR NO FAITH AT ALL.

AND WE'RE JUST OPENING THE DOORS AND SAYING WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO INTRODUCE THIS CONCEPT OF A HIGHER POWER.

WHO WE BELIEVE IS FOUND IN THE GOD AND HIS SON JESUS CHRIST BUT WE DON'T PUSH THAT ON ANYBODY.

WE TRY TO MODEL THAT AND THE 12 STEPS HAS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT GOD IS THERE AND IT PROVIDES A BRIDGE HELPING PEOPLE CONNECT.

A COUPLE YEARS AGO WE HAD A BUSINESS SCHOOL FROM HOPKINS BUSINESS SCHOOL DID RESEARCH FOR US AND THEY TALKED TO THE INDIVIDUALS THAT CAME INTO OUR PROGRAM.

THEY TALKED TO OUR GRADUATES AND ASKED WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT ATTRACTED YOU TO HELPING UP MISSION?

MANY OF THEM HAD BEEN IN MULTIPLE OTHER PROGRAMS.

AND THEY SAID THE SPIRITUAL FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM.

AND SO WE BELIEVE THAT IS A PART OF THE CHANGE.

OUR MISSION THE WAY WE ARTICULATE IT IS TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF THOSE SUFFERING FROM ADDICTION AND POVERTY BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF FAITH, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S REALLY THOSE THREE THINGS COMING TOGETHER IN THIS ENVIRONMENT THAT IS A PART OF THAT TRANSFORMATION WE SEE EVERYDAY.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE IN ALL KINDS OF ADDICTION PROGRAMS RELAPSE ALL THE TIME.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU TRACK?

>> WE SEE THAT ONLY ABOUT 25% ACTUALLY MAKE IT THROUGH OUR ONE-YEAR PROGRAM.

WE SEE SOMETIMES THERE IS A RELAPSE.

BUT WE TRY TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN TO COMING BACK AND WE BELIEVE THAT OFTENTIMES THOSE RELAPSES ARE A PART OF RECOVERY.

BUT IT'S ALSO A REASON THAT RIGHT NOW WE'RE PUTTING A LOT OF FOCUS ON SUPPORT FOR GRADUATES OF OUR PROGRAM.

WE'RE STANDING UP AN ALUMNI PROGRAM NOT LIKE ALUMNI WITH YOUR COLLEGE WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU FOR MONEY.

IT'S ACTUALLY.

>> Jeff: THERE IS NO HOMECOMING GAME.

>> WE HAD HOMECOMING WE DIDN'T HAVE A GAME BUT TRYING TO RECONNECT AND PROVIDING ONGOING SUPPORT.

MAKING SURE THEY ARE IN GROUPS AND CONNECTED WITH A SPONSOR.

SEEING WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE IN TERMS OF HOUSING OR OTHER SUPPORT.

AND OUR TEAM IS REALLY GROWING TO FOCUS ON THAT.

AND MAKE THAT A PART OF OUR PROGRAM.

BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO PREVENT AND REDUCE RELAPSES.

>> Jeff: I'M GUESSING I'M HOPING MOST PEOPLE WATCHING US KNOW LITTLE OR NOTHING OF THE WORLD OF ADDICTION AND TREATMENT.

BEFORE WE GO, WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

IF ANYBODY RUNS INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED HELP THEY HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO NEEDS HELP, WHAT THOUGHT DO YOU WANT TO PUT IN THE BACK OF THEIR MINDS?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THERE'S HOPE.

THIS ISSUE OF ADDICTION CUTS ACROSS EVERY COMMUNITY.

IT PROBABLY IS IMPACTED ALMOST EVERY FAMILY IN YOUR VIEWING AUDIENCE.

IT CUTS ACROSS ALL SOCIOECONOMIC BARRIERS.

AND WHAT WE SEE HERE HAPPENING IN THE MIDST OF THIS CONTEXT IN THE MIDST OF A CITY BATTLING A LOT OF ADDICTION CHALLENGES, WE SEE CHANGE HAPPENING.

WE SEE RECOVERY HAPPENING.

SO FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO SAY THERE'S HOPE.

THE SECOND THING WOULD BE TO SAY CALL US.

WE HAVE AN INTAKE HOTLINE 929-6999.

YOU CAN CALL OR GO TO OUR WEBSITE HELPING UP MISSION.ORG AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP THE DOORS OPEN AND REACH OUT TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

WE'VE STARTED A MOBILE STREET OUTREACH.

THERE IS A BUS THAT RUNS AROUND THE CITY SAYING HELP IS ON THE WAY.

AND WE SAY THAT BOLDLY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE AND WE SEE.

WE HAVE A FRONT ROW SEAT HERE TO TRANSFORMATION HAPPENING.

FRIDAYS WE HAVE A CHAPEL HERE THAT WE CELEBRATE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE GRADUATING THE DIFFERENT PHASES OF OUR PROGRAM.

AND TO HEAR THEIR STORIES, TO HEAR THE PROGRESS THAT THEY'VE MADE AND TO CELEBRATE THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IT GIVES US HOPE.

AND IT ALSO DEMONSTRATES TO US THAT THIS IS WORKING.

SO THE PRIMARY THING I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHO MAYBE HAVE NOT WRESTLED WITH THIS THERE IS HOPE THERE ARE RESOURCES AND WE STAND READY TO HELP ANYWAY WE CAN.

>> Jeff: GREAT MEETING YOU APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TO FREDERICK WHERE A FORMER POLICE OFFICER IS CHANGING LIVES ONE LAUNDRY LOAD AT A TIME.

AS NANCY YAMADA REPORTS.

>> I'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERING EVERY THURSDAY IT'S MY COMMITMENT.

I RECENTLY RETIRED AND SERVING IS WHAT I'M CALLED TO DO.

>> DEBRA NEVER IMAGINED HER CALLING WOULD BE TO DO LAUNDRY, COMPLETE STRANGERS' LAUNDRY BUT EACH WEEK THAT IS WHAT SHE DOES AS A VOLUNTEER FOR FIRST STEP LAUNDRY A NONPROFIT MOBILE LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE STARTED DOING LAUNDRY SEPTEMBER FOURTH OF THIS YEAR.

AND AS OF A COUPLE DAYS CAN AGOE HAVE DONE 2,000 POUNDS OF LAUNDRY.

>> WAYNE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA AS SERVING AS A POLICE OFFICER AND SEEING THE CHALLENGES THE UNHOUSED FACED.

>> AS THEY WERE DOING LAUNDRY IN A CREEK 50 YARDS FROM WHERE THEY WERE CAMPED.

AND THEY WOULD HANDLE IT UP IN THE -- HANG IT UP IN THE TREES TO DRY.

>> WHEN HE RETIRED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DONATED A BUS THAT HE AND HIS FAMILY RENOVATED AND INSTALLING WASHERS AND DRYERS.

THREE TIMES A WEEK THE BUS IS THE GO TO DESTINATION FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS THEIR CLOTHES WASHED, DRIED AND FOLDED FREE OF CHARGE.

>> I LIVE IN THE SHELTER NEARBY I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO GO TO THE LAUNDROMAT AND PAY TO GET MY CLOTHES CLEANED.

THIS IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO RELY ON GETTING YOUR CLOSES CLEANED YOU FEEL CLEANER WHEN YOU HAVE CLEAN THE CLOTHES.

>> CLEAN LAUNDRY, IS I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO SAY EVERYTHING BUT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE IT IT'S EVERYTHING.

IT HELPS WITH YOUR HYGIENE.

AND YOU KNOW IT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER.

>> THAT'S THE IDEA BEHIND EVERY LOAD THAT GETS DROPPED OFF AND PICKED UP AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF LATER.

>> IT'S ONE MORE THING THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> I WANT THEM TO FEEL THAT DIGNITY, THAT THEY DESERVE.

IN SOCIETY, I THINK, IT'S EASY FOR US TO DISMISS SOMEBODY WHO IS UNHOUSED.

AND JUST SAY WELL THEY PUT THEMSELVES IN THIS SITUATION SO IT'S THEIR PROBLEM.

>> HE HOPES THE CLEAN CLOTHES MAY INSPIRE TO CLEAN UP THEIR LIVES AND ADDRESS ISSUES THAT MAYBE PREVENTING THEM FROM SECURING STABLE HOUSING.

HIS NEXT GOAL IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO GET A SECOND BUS FOCUSING ON SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO NEED CLEAN CLOTHES.

HIS DRIVE AND DETERMINATION COMES FROM A HIGHER POWER.

>> EVEN IF I CAN DO A FRACTION OF WHAT CHRIST DID WHEN HE WAS ON EARTH IF I CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO HELP THESE PEOPLE AND MAYBE BRING THEM TO GOD AS WELL, THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING OUT OF IT.

>> I'M NANCY YAMADA FOR "STATE CIRCLE".

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS "STATE CIRCLE" FOR THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

FOR "DIRECT CONNECTION".

[♪♪]