The Salvation Army’s Kansas City Adult Rehabilitation Center is a 180-day residential work therapy program in Kansas City, Missouri, for adults working to overcome substance use. The program is provided free of charge to people accepted into it, funded through donations and the organization’s thrift stores rather than government money.
Work Therapy and Daily Structure
At the heart of the program is work therapy, meant to rebuild steady work habits and restore a sense of self-worth so participants can return to employment. Assignments run up to eight hours a day, or 40 hours a week, and schedules can be adjusted to fit individual needs. Participants aren’t paid for this work, though they may receive a small weekly gratuity based on how they’re progressing. Everyone signs a statement acknowledging the work therapy requirement when they enroll. Alongside the work, the program provides housing, meals, individual and group counseling, religious services, life skills training, and recreational activities. Participants are expected to take part in everything, including counseling sessions, classes, and worship services, and the spiritual side centers on developing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Eligibility and Getting Started
The program accepts adults between 21 and 65 who can handle work assignments and are willing to participate fully. Applicants must pass a drug test and breathalyzer when they arrive. There’s no cost to participants once staff determine the program fits their needs, and insurance isn’t required, though some government benefits may help cover room, board, and clothing. Requirements can vary from one center to another, so it’s worth calling the Kansas City center directly. As participants approach the end of the 180 days, staff help them look for work, though no job is guaranteed after graduation.
