About Good Shepherd Ministries
Good Shepherd Ministries provides comprehensive services to homeless, disadvantaged and marginalized people. It provides each person with the opportunities to achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
Through their Drug and Alcohol Recovery Enrichment Program (DARE), a post-detoxification and pre-treatment program, homeless men with addictions find a safe, supportive place to live, while waiting for treatment for drug- and alcohol-related problems. In 2013 through the 25-bed DARE program, 127 homeless men successfully entered treatment. DARE provides counselling that prepares these men for residential or out-patient treatment for addictions. The 25 clients live together in a secure dormitory, offering each other support and encouragement.
Clients in DARE receive food, shelter, toiletries and clothing. Transportation costs also are covered so that clients can keep medical appointments. During the day, DARE clients do chores in an effort to give back to the community and learn responsibility. They participate in group and individual counselling and begin to learn how to live life free from substance abuse. They also take part in arts and sports activities. DARE is an abstinence-based program; participants sign a contract not to use any mood-altering substances. They consent to random testing. Good Shepherd Ministries receives support for the DARE Program from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Toronto.