Rescue ministry tackles substance abuse head-on

Well Ministry Executive Director Scott Bertolini talks about the history of The Well near a photo collage of previous facilities.

Rescue ministry tackles substance abuse head-on By GREG WELTER - Staff Writer - 03/26/2007 - Oroville Mercury Register Ask anyone connected with Chico's Well Ministry of Rescue how they are doing and you'll invariably hear, "I'm blessed." It might be an automatic response, but it's anything but nonchalant. For about 60 men living at The Well's main facility on The Esplanade, each day is a struggle to reclaim a life once consumed by addiction to drugs or alcohol. Each day away from that is a blessing, they say. For most at The Well, recovery began with an arrest. "When I was caught, I fell to my knees and thanked the cops for ending the torture," said an affable man who calls himself Johnny Mac, a former drug user, seller and manufacturer. Mac has completed a rehabilitation program at The Well, and now works on its construction crew. Well Executive Director Scott Bertolini said non-violent criminal backgrounds are common among men in the program, referred to as "disciples" from the moment they're accepted. He said a man's first trip to The Well may not stick. On the second or third attempt, most are prepared to commit to the program, rather than go back to a life of drugs, crime and incarceration. The program stresses counseling, Bible study and work. "We tell men coming in, if you don't work, you don't eat," said Bertolini. "The food is good and plentiful," he said, admitting that, after a while, many disciples develop something called "The Well belly." The Well's faith-based approach to rehabilitation offers Bible study twice a day. Pastors from the community stop by nightly, ministering to anyone willing to listen. "It's been good for my life," said Ray Lyles. The Paradise man just completed 10 months of the program and is looking forward to being reunited soon with his family in Paradise. He said he's come a long way since sitting in jail after a conviction on drug charges. Most men spend a year in rehabilitation, but Bertolini said The Well has developed a secondary residential program, appropriately called The Well Alternative, designed to get drug offenders on the road to recovery in just five months. Bertolini said it will meet the requirements of a fast-track drug rehabilitation program mandated by the state and designed to get non-violent drug offenders completely off parole in less than six months. Thousand of such offenders will be released early from California prisons as soon as next week, and those who have completed a 90-day drug program in prison will be ordered into the condensed residential program. If they complete the program with a clean record, they are completely off parole. The state has estimated a cost of about $4,500 a month to place each parolee in a residential rehabilitation program. At just $2,000 a month, The Well is a bargain. Parolees who become disciples at The Well follow a 12-step program aimed at bolstering self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment. Weekly goals are set, and must be met, Bertolini said. Disciples live three-to-a-room in spartan surroundings. Rooms have no televisions, to help encourage a focus on worship and reflection. A dining hall that doubles as a recreation room and group Bible study area has a television, but shows are carefully selected. Newspapers and secular books are banned from the facility. Drugs and alcohol are obvious no-no's, but tobacco products are also prohibited. The state hasn't mandated vocational training as part of the fast-track parole program, but The Well will provide it. As a ministry that operates several businesses, it will place parolees in vocational assignments that include painting, landscaping, general construction, auto detailing, auto repair, administration, printing and restaurant work. The ministry operates its own restaurant on The Esplanade, serving lunch and dinner five days a week. The entire staff are disciples and graduates of The Well Ministry. Its auto detailing shop, located on property behind the restaurant, offers complete detailing at competitive prices. The restaurant, shop and other business facilities sit on a two-acre parcel The Well is negotiating to buy for future expansion. The Well currently boasts 22 community partners. Started in 1993 by Neil and Janet Bennet, The Well Ministry was first located in an old church at 13th Street and Broadway. It served only one disciple, but the need for such a facility was apparent. In a third move, it relocated to Marigold Avenue, and offered residential treatment to 33 men. It moved to The Esplanade in 1998 and currently serves 60 men. The Bennets live in a home on The Esplanade campus. Bertolini said The Well is permitted to serve up to 90 residential disciples, and is considering adding a women's drug rehabilitation program.