MyHomeInc Resource Guide

Shared Experiences : Understanding Cultural Significance in Treatment

R ashad Hameed has been working with My Home ,QF IRU WKH SDVW ƓYH \HDUV DV D OLFHQVHG DOFRKRO and drug counselor. He holds group sessions, conducts assessments and facilitates other general counseling work. Hameed originally began his work LQ WKH ƓHOG RI FRXQVHOLQJ WKURXJK DQ +02 DV DQ DG olescent counselor. He also worked for a culturally VSHFLƓF RUJDQL]DWLRQ DQG D PDQDJHU RI LWV DGROHVFHQW outpatient program and hosted its community radio VKRZ :KLOH KLV ZRUN LQ WKH ƓHOG LV FHQWHUHG DURXQG WKH FOLHQWV KH ZRUNV ZLWK +DPHHGōV LQWHUHVW LQ WKH ƓHOG originated from his personal experiences. From the ages of 16 to 32, Hameed was addicted to heroin. He attended a recovery program in New York that placed him with a school in Minneapolis. He packed his belongings and moved with his wife to the new city. “When I came out here, I was in the early stages of my recovery work. I later went to community college where they had a training program for alcohol DQG GUXJ FRXQVHORUV , JRW FHUWLƓHG DQG HYHQWXDOO\ JRW licensed,” he said. He soon transitioned into working as a probations supervisor to oversee adult and juve QLOH SUREDWLRQ RIƓFHUV IRU \HDUV 'XULQJ WKDW WLPH he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from a university in St. Paul. After transitioning from his work in probations, he started contracting full time as a licensed drug and alcohol counselor. )URP KLV \HDUV RI ZRUN EHWZHHQ WKH WZR ƓHOGV +D PHHG KDV UHFRJQL]HG VHYHUDO DUHDV WKDW DUH FRQQHFWHG with his work as a counselor. “Being a black person in a predominately white system is already enough to be affected by generational trauma and a whole host of issues that one faces in the community.” He also notes the limited availability of programs that can be instru mental in aiding youth with the resources and help they may need to lead healthy lives. ŏ:KHQ , ƓUVW VWDUWHG LQ WKLV ƓHOG WKHUH PXVW KDYH

been at least 10 or 15 treatment programs in the area. $QG WKHUH ZHUH VHYHUDO WKDW ZRUNHG VSHFLƓFDOO\ ZLWK adolescents. Today, there are only about two or three. 7KHUHōV D VLJQLƓFDQW FKDOOHQJH ZLWK VRPHRQH EHWZHHQ the age of 16 and 21 in an African-American home be ing able to get the help they need if they’re struggling with addiction.” $ ODFN RI FXOWXUDOO\ VSHFLƓF SURJUDPV DOVR FRQWULEXWHV to the decreased rate of those within the black com munity being able to access treatment and counseling within their communities. The staff within the exist ing programs often does not have the racial diversity among its counselors that contribute to an environment that is welcoming to the minority community. “The vast majority of licensed clinicians are white women. So if there is an African-American male who goes to a clinic for treatment, they often aren’t going to see anyone ZKR ORRNV OLNH WKHP 7KDW FUHDWHV D VLJQLƓFDQW EDUULHU when clients are wondering if their counselor can relate to them or understand where they’re coming from cul turally when discussing experiences.” As an African-American counselor, Hameed says his work in conjunction with the services offered through My Home Inc. is important in communicating shared ex periences with clients and connecting with their cultural aspects. Since the program’s facility is located in the heart of St. Paul, it is more easily accessible to some of the area’s most diverse communities. ŏ$QG ZKHQ SHRSOH ZDON LQWR WKHVH RIƓFHV HVSHFLDOO\ African Americans, they see people who look like them. I think that goes a long way into making a person know they are heard and understood.” Hameed says the services offered through My Home Inc. create an atmo sphere to address some of the deepest needs among the area’s African-American population to assist in a healthy recovery journey.