AZ HOUSE

Name: AZ House
Address: IL

The AZ House is based on the successful addiction recovery model and philosophy introduced by Jack Mullhal in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1991.

Jack’s driving force was the belief that a chance for sober living should be available to anyone determined to overcome their addiction, regardless of their ability to pay for the help they need. He first opened the Freedom House, which has successfully supported addicts recovery for over 20 years. The Freedom House has served as the basis for eight similar programs in the Cleveland area.

Jack’s dream was to create a therapeutic community, in which addicts and alcoholics could focus solely on their recovery. With the support of peers and knowledgeable staff, they then progress to develop the skills required for successful independent lives. Finding work and participating in household responsibilities are fundamental to the program he developed. Jack, who became sober through Alcoholics Anonymous, established the 12-Steps at the center of his program. Residents are required to attend daily meetings, work the 12-Steps with a sponsor, and participate in facilitated groups.

The AZ House was opened in 2016 after it was recognized that there was a lack of free residential recovery opportunities available in Israel. Named after Avroham Ze’ev Olive, a 23-year-old young man who sadly never achieved recovery, the AZ House aims to provide a much-needed service, which has a proven track record of treating addicts and alcoholics.

WHO WE ARE

The AZ House is a men's residential therapeutic environment, offering residents the chance to learn how to live in a community, develop self-discipline, become respectful contributors to society, and achieve freedom from addiction.

The fully-funded program, which is 12-Step based, offers residents the opportunity to disconnect and focus solely on their recovery. To begin, their contact with the outside world is extremely limited and all outside activities are monitored by staff; this strict but encouraging system helps residents develop a strong foundation. This opportunity to focus intensely on their recovery will serve them for the rest of their lives.

The second stage of the program supports residents to develop self-sufficiency and to seek employment. Once settled into a job, they must simultaneously maintain their responsibilities and commitments to the house. Residents begin the process of re-establishing themselves into society and become ready to plan the next steps of their newfound way of life. However, there is no rush to leave the house, and residents are encouraged to stay as long as necessary.

Currently, there are few treatment centers that cater to the Jewish community, especially regarding stringent orthodox laws. The AZ House offers observant Jews the opportunity to focus on their recovery, whilst maintaining their religious practices. The treatment center does not proselytize Judaism, we do not force residents into becoming more or less religious. Many residents may not be observant and we are sensitive to this: secular, religious, non-Jewish – all are welcome.

OUR PROGRAM

How It Works - The AZ Curriculum

Part 1 – Initial Stay:

Opportunity to disconnect, develop a foundation and focus solely on recovery
Contact with the outside world is extremely limited
All outside activities are monitored by staff
For the first 2 weeks, residents need to be with one another or a staff member at all times
1-3 months – group therapy and activities

Daily AA meetings are a requirement
Residents have daily chores to maintain the campus
Learn to live in community, develop self-discipline
Become respectful contributors to society
Group facilitators run the majority of groups
No cell phones
No cash – if allowed, must provide receipts
Residents do not hold onto their own medication
Not a police-style environment, but rules must be followed

Part 2 – Looking for Work:

Time to move forward; Residents begin the next step to becoming self-sufficient
Residents look for a job and must maintain responsibilities and commitment to the house
Staff are available to help but all work is done by residents
Help available to become an Israeli citizen, obtain work permits, etc
On days when not looking for work – residents participate in groups and campus upkeep
Access to cell-phone for employment purposes only
Part 2 is considered a privilege, as it requires being invited to stay for the second part of the program
To advance to Part 2 and LFW, residents must complete the 12-Steps

Part 3 - Three Quarters:

Opportunity to re-establish themselves in the community and institute a new way of life
Earned by being a good example in the house and deemed as a role model for new residents
Earned after they are able to pay 1st month’s rent
6-month commitment, but residents can stay as long as necessary
More freedoms: cell phone, TV, laptop
Allowed on own without staff supervision
Encouraged, but not required, to attend therapy and group sessions – able to facilitate groups for newer residents
Encouraged to attend 12-Step meetings and keep contact with their sponsors – a foundation for life outside the house
Create a viable exit plan with staff

DONATIONS - MAKE A DIFFERENCE

DonorBox

The AZ House is a non–profit organization that depends on the generosity from members of the community to help save lives and reunite families. The AZ House is a 501 (c)(3) tax ID number: EM#81-4628440

American Account Information

Chase Bank

AZ House Foundation

Account Number: 737587870

Routing Number: 322271627

Israeli Account Information

Mizrahi Tefahot Bank

Bank and Branch Number: 20–40100

Account Number: 371454

Account Name: AZ House

SWIFT Code: MIZBILITJLM

Or make a check payable to AZ House and mail to: