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Show s ' ;n ; ; . ,v- - ,SV rf ...., - - v J . ' a .. Uintah Basin Standard Basin LIFE - Page 9 December 3 1,2002 HALFWAY HOUSE IN VERNAL get help forging a new life at New Beginnings Ex-co-ns he is grateful to be accepted into the By Angela Eddington Paul was released from the Utah State Prison just two weeks ago and headed straight to New Beginnings, a halfway house in VemaL The former convict asked the parole board to make the New Beginnings program a mandatory part of his preparation to society as a citizen who could make worthy contributions in the future. Paul doesn't hesitate to tell you program. After ayi years of prison, you cant be thrown back into society without a structured program. I have more freedoms here, and it's a chance for me to reclaimate with society, he reveals. t, New Beginnings is a ; . consistently with society's standards. bad choices, and we are helping them become good guys who make non-profi- substance abuse treatment program that helps those affected by substance abuse to live "They're typically good guys who have made good choices. Nearing the beginning of ite third year of operation, the program has already proven successful and ex- pects to expand next year. The idea for the halfway house was first conceived by Tim Gunter, who wanted to lend a hand an n to other guys he knew coming out of jail and prison. He operated the protrailer at gram out of a Fairview Mobile Home park in Vernal for ten months until it was no longer feasible to continue. Not too long after he closed Heather Hoyt, the grants administrator for Uintah County, approached him to ask if he would like help in reviving the pro-gram. An older mobile home was purchased and renovated in the Vernal Fairview Trailer Park. A public hear- ex-co- m New Beginnings participants took part in fund raiser this past year called Bloom Master. The FUNDRAISER men are shown here putting several plants into the large pots. ing had already determined there was a need for a program within the community to help men with crimi- nal backgrounds reshape their lives in order so they could contribute to society. Research commenced to find succesaful programs on which to pattern New Beginnings, and Delancey Street, a program in California that tressed the concept that the house should be managed, on a daily basis, in recovery, was selected by ex-co- as a model And that just how it is run. There are currently six men (only men are accepted) in the program, and each is exproted to do choree, shop for food and fix meals, and be considerate of the others. They are unless they show they need to be governed, explained house manager Tom Leverton, who is also an n himself and a graduate of the d, ex-co- We bring people up from the bottom to take responsibility for what they do. refocus what theyve done their whole life, and try to change who their thinking." said was a drug addict for 34 year until the program helped give him trust and rv direction. Now his life has a new focus. Getting drugs and getting high is not SEE HALFWAY on page 16 -- 1 leather I NEW BEGINNINGS loyt. the program manager (right) and Tom Leverton. house manager (center) stand with Paul, the newest participant of the program and resident at this halfway house in Vernal. JBtasiboLJfaaieEs. Trust Funds for Berrett and Hunt Families Trust funds have been established fur the two Roosevelt families who recently lost loved ones. The Berrett family lost their father and husband unexpectedly, and four members of the Hunt fumily lost their lives in an accident. The Beverly Berrett trust fund and the TJ. fund (for Trevor Hunt) have been established at Zion's Hank. Anyone who wishes to contribute to either fund may do so at uny Zion's Bunk or call Volunteers WantedI Give the gift that lasts all year lung...become a volunteer at the Uintah Basin Medical Center. Volunteers are needed for shifts in the new Pink 3 Shop in the evenings and on Saturdays. Contact Brenda Lamb at for details. 722-616- Power Wheelchairs Available ) and the permanently disabled power (electric) wheelchairs at no cost to the recipient, if they qualify. Call Three W ishes at 1 800-4 5 1 097 1 , M iracle on for Wheels at or Senior Wheels USA at more information or to see if you quulify. Three separate programs make available to senior citizens (65 -- -- New Years Eve Dance There will be a New Years Eve dance at the Crossroads Community Center on Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 8:30 p.m. lo 12:30a.m. Live dance music will be provided by the Midnight Cowboys." To make reservations (required) or for additional information cull 722-429- New Years Eve Dance Young Sjngles will be held for Uintah Busin area Young Single A New Year's Eve Dance on Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at USU in Roosevelt. Adults, ages 18-3Admission is free, and a free breakfast will be served at midnight Door prizes will be given away throughout the dunce. LDS standards apply. 0, New Year In New York New Year's Eve. Pick Family ftn at East Elementary 6-- 9 p. m. ( mock up tickets at the door or at Karls Carpet. Activities and games, crafts, vending food carts, pictures taken in Central Purk," live entertainment and clock tower countdown. Attention all Veterans, Widows, and Dependents A Field Service Officer from the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be in your area to assist you in understanding and applying for rightful VA benefits, preparing and documenting application for compensation, pension, hospitalization and other benefits. This is a free service and veterans need not be members of the Veterans ofForrign Wars to quality for assistance. The VFW Field Service Officer will be working out of the Roosevelt Workforce Service Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1 1:30 a.m. on Jan. 22. American Legion Meeting Postponed The regular meeting for American Legion Post 64 scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1 will be postponed until Jan. 8 at 7 p.m. . Expecting a New Baby? The Uintah Basin Medical Center offers a seven-wee- k series of childbirth education courses. The course covers pregnancy, labor, birth, breast feeding and introduction to parenthood. The first course begins Jan. 7 and goes through Feb. 18, every Tuesday at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. To preregister, call the UBMC at 722-611- 5. copy . ?-- ..V s V ' iV 'I' i |