In an all-new episode, Steve D'Agostino, principal of Best Rate of Climb, interviews Patricia Davidson, chair, and Janelle Wilson, executive director of Jeremiah's Inn. They talk about the mission and business of helping men to battle substance abuse.
Founded in 1982 at 1059 Main St. at Webster Square in Worcester's Main South neighborhood, Jeremiah's Inn is a social-model residential-recovery program for men. It also operates an emergency-food pantry.
For more than three decades, Jeremiah's Inn has helped men to battle substance abuse through work, participating in intensive counseling, contributing to household responsibilities, and assisting each other through the challenges of recovery.
Jeremiah's Inn has 28 transitional beds. The majority of these beds are used for the social-model recovery program. Participants contribute $10 per day towards the cost of the program.
Jeremiah's Inn also has two emergency-shelter beds, which are available to the community to meet emergency-shelter needs for adult homeless men. Emergency stays are one to seven days. Those using this service receive shelter, meals, access to clothing, case management and referral services, as appropriate. Emergency beds are determined on an individual basis and are dependent on availability.
The food pantry at Jeremiah's Inn provides hunger relief to hundreds of people in the Main South/Webster Square communities. Food comes primarily from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program, direct donations, and salvaged goods that are acquired through the Worcester County Food Bank. Private and group donations are always needed and appreciated.
On Saturday, April 27, Jeremiah's Inn will hold its second annual Comedy Night, to raise funds for the charitable, non-profit program.
Patricia Davidson is also a partner at the Worcester law firm Mirick O'Connell.
