Since the first meeting of the Reviving the Human Spirit (RTHS) partners in July 2000, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati has helped the faith community address alcohol and other drug use problems through collaboration, training and education, and other resource opportunities. RTHS is an intensive, year-round support system for the faith community. RTHS supports congregations of all faiths in the area where Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio converge. RTHS helps congregations identify ways to be involved, ways that fit into the lives of their members.

• Believes that faith communities are uniquely positioned to effectively prevent and reduce substance abuse and addiction.
• Understands that our goal is to help faith communities create programs and networks to be more effective in achieving their missions.
• Respects the values and traditions of faith communities.
• Nurtures collaboration between faith communities and professionals in the substance abuse field.
• Recognizes that substance abuse professionals are also people of faith.
• Provides the opportunity for faith-based communities to realize their vision for addressing alcohol and other drug issues within their congregations.
  
  
  • Purpose: to increase the capacity of faith communities to effectively prevent and reduce alcohol and other drug use problems among the people they serve.
  • Partners: Reviving the Human Spirit (RTHS) is a collaborative effort of these sponsoring agencies.
    • Alcoholism Council of the Cincinnati Area, NCADD, 513-281-7880
    • Assistance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Center, 513-458-6640
    • Coalition for a Drug-Free Greater Cincinnati, 513-751-8000
    • Faith Community Alliance, 513-671-1480
    • NorthKeyRegionalPreventionCenter, 859-283-0952

• Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program of Cincinnati, Inc. (UMADAOP), 513-541-7099

• Components
  • Congregational Substance Abuse Team Ministry
    The Congregational Teams component is designed to equip congregations to address alcohol and other drug use problems by providing ongoing support training, resources, referrals and consultation to build congregational teams. RTHS uses the nationally recognized Congregation Substance Abuse Team Ministry model, developed by Faith Partners, which includes:  an introductory training, team training and skills training, a comprehensive team manual, and an area coordinator. For more information, click here.
  • Area Coordinator for Congregational Teams: Annette Bell 513-458-6638
  • Faith Partners Model for Congregational Substance Abuse Team Ministries: The RushCenter of the Johnson Institute, 2525 Wallingwood Dr., Bldg 8, #804, Austin, TX78746, (513)451-9504. http://rushcenter.org, trishmerrill@johnsoninstitute.orgor drewbrooks@johnsoninstitute.org
    

• FaithLeadersAcademy
  RTHS member organizations, and leaders from faith communities and the substance abuse field, have developed a training series specifically for clergy and other faith leaders. The nine-session course provides information, skills, and resources to help faith leaders effectively provide substance abuse prevention, intervention, recovery support and support for families affected by alcohol and other drug use. For more information, click here.( Back to Top

• Accomplishments/Outcomes
  • Reviving the Human Spirit has been in existence since 2000. In that time partnerships have expanded, trainings have multiplied and the effort continues to sustain itself.
  • We have reached over 500 people of faith: RTHS has hosted 5 Congregational Team Overview trainings, 5 Congregational Team trainings, 5 Congregational Team Skills trainings, 4 Addiction Summits and 2 FaithLeaderAcademies
  • Partners  4 to  18
  • Congregational teams from 0 to 26
  • IMPACT: Long-term we have seen a 25% increase from our benchmark of 41% reduction of regular ATOD use among youth participating in faith-based & community activity to 55% reduction.
    
    
• Get Involved
  All denominations of faith and other interested groups and individuals are encouraged to participate with Reviving the Human Spirit. Planning meetings are held monthly. To learn more about RTHS or to get involved, you may contact any of the sponsoring organizations, or for additional information:
  • Visit the RTHS website at http://www.asapcenter.org/rths/index.html.
  • Read the RTHS brochure, by clicking here (Insert RTHS brochure: RTHS_brochure_2004.pdf)
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• Complete an application for membership. Download the Planning Team Member Application by clicking here  (Hyperlink to WORD document - will be coming!)