Phase 1 (Current)
Rescuing, redeeming, and Restoring men within the Georgetown County Detention Center
Damascus House is currently functioning in the Georgetown County Detention Center to help the men imprisoned there who struggle with alcohol and drug addiction. Vic Wilson and Dillon Dowler, Damascus House Program Leaders, have access to the men in GCDC for more than 30 hours each week for encouragement, instruction and discipleship.
Orientation and Structure
The program begins with an orientation session to introduce participants to its goals and structure.
This is followed by a detailed explanation of the schedule and rules, ensuring everyone understands the expectations and guidelines for their journey.
Spiritual Growth and Worship
Participants engage in regular church worship services and dedicated praise and worship sessions.
These activities provide consistent opportunities to connect with Christ through communal worship and music, fostering spiritual growth.
Education and Discussion
The program includes discussions on “Purpose Driven Life” (Rick Warren’s book) in order to explore Christian teachings for finding purpose.
Additionally, guest speaker testimonies are featured, offering participants inspirational stories of faith and recovery to reflect upon.
Personal and Group Support
One-on-one counseling sessions provide personalized support tailored to individual needs.
Group activities are also organized to foster fellowship, trust, and a sense of community among participants, which is vital for their recovery journey.
Recovery and Testimonies
Sessions focus on addressing addiction through faith-based principles, providing a Christ-centered approach to overcoming challenges.
Participants also share their personal testimonies of recovery and spiritual growth, inspiring and motivating each other.
Recreational and Reflective Activities
The program includes watching spiritual movies to learn Christian values in an engaging manner.
Sociograms help participants understand social relationships and personal reflection time is provided to make amends and support spiritual development.
Phase 2 (Proposed)
Providing a Place of Refuge to be Rescued, Redeemed, and Restored
In the future, Damascus House will attain 50 acres in Georgetown County, SC where we will develop a residential facility for up to 50 men. At the facility, these men will be rescued, redeemed and restored to God’s plan for their lives.
The program consists of 11 months of immersion content. Along with the housing facilities, there will be an on-site industry where the men will work in order to teach them an excellent work ethic and assist them in how to lead and run a small business.
Induction (21 days)
The Induction phase introduces new students to the community, helping them acclimate to a disciplined, Christ-centered lifestyle while finding refuge from addiction.
Each man is paired with a mentor, learns to journal, and participates in classes to build a strong foundation for recovery and personal transformation.
Transition (3 weeks)
The Transition phase addresses the legal, financial, and relational issues caused by addiction, allowing men to adjust to their new environment and grow in relationships with peers and the Holy Spirit.
It prepares them for peer evaluations, teaching accountability and helping them manage attitudes, feelings, and emotions through their relationships with others and Christ.
Orientation (5 weeks)
The Orientation phase helps students develop trust and ownership. These traits are essential for breaking the walls of addiction.
It encourages them to take responsibility for their actions, face the consequences of their choices, and begin repairing broken relationships in a spirit of love and forgiveness, fostering truth and honesty in their recovery journey.
Regeneration (5-15 Weeks)
In the Regeneration phase, men learn about the physical and psychological aspects of chemical dependency and take deeper responsibility for their recovery.
They gain scientific insights into addiction, confront denial and defense mechanisms, and take on responsibilities while participating in small groups to build trust and process their pasts healthily.
Inner Healing (9 Weeks)
In the Inner Healing phase, men focus on addressing deep-seated issues and past traumas that have contributed to destructive behaviors.
Through lessons on rejection, grief, judgments, sexual addiction, and forgiveness, they process their pain healthily, moving beyond a victim mentality to experience God’s Grace through Christ’s forgiveness, love, and healing, while taking ownership and responsibility for their lives.
Discipleship (9 Weeks)
In the Discipleship phase, men are held to high spiritual standards and take on leadership roles such as dorm monitors, job site leaders, and journal mentors.
They challenge their beliefs about God, deepen accountability through peer evaluations, and guide others in small groups, emphasizing principles like giving back and helping others, culminating in graduation upon fulfilling all requirements.
More About Our Foundational Curriculum
Rescue, Redeem, and Restore
Damascus House is built upon the 60-year-old foundational curriculum created by Dunklin Memorial in Okeechobee, FL. After reviewing the facilities and programs of many other recovery centers in America, the board of Damascus House wholeheartedly settled on the extremely successful programming and curriculum of Dunklin.
For more on Dunklin you can visit www.dunklin.org.