MyHomeIncfinal

Shared Experiences : Understanding Cultural Significance in Treatment

R ashad Hameed has been working with My Home Inc. for the past five years as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. He holds group sessions, conducts assessments and facilitates other general counseling work. Hameed originally began his work in the field of counseling through an HMO as an ad- olescent counselor. He also worked for a culturally specific organization and a manager of its adolescent outpatient program and hosted its community radio show. While his work in the field is centered around the clients he works with, Hameed’s interest in the field 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 and drug counselors. I got certified and eventually got licensed,” he said. He soon transitioned into working as a probations supervisor to oversee adult and juve- nile probation officers for 20 years. During that time, 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. From his years of work between the two fields, Ha- meed has recognized several areas that are connected 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. “When I first started in this field, there must have

been at least 10 or 15 treatment programs in the area. And there were several that worked specifically with adolescents. Today, there are only about two or three. There’s a significant challenge with someone between 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.” A lack of culturally specific programs also contributes 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 who looks like them. That creates a significant barrier 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. “And when people walk into these offices, especially 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.

“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.” - Rashad Hameed