The Salvation Army Men—s Social Service Center. II Results

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Abstract
Data were gathered on the population served and the results of the rehabilitation program in the San Francisco and Lytton Salvation Army Men's Social Service Centers. The demographic characteristics of about 300 men are similar to those described in other large samples of homeless and jailed alcoholics. The educational level and past occupational attainments, however, are somewhat better than those of the typical homeless alcoholic, and more nearly like those of outpatient clinic samples. After going through a varied rehabilitation program, about two-thirds of the men located for follow-up reported increased abstinence, and less than half reported an improved work pattern. Earnings increased, the amount of institutionalization decreased, and residential mobility decreased. Over-all evaluation indicated that about 40% of the men showed a measurable increase in gainful employment and almost half showed improvement in their drinking pattern. Improvement was highly correlated with length of stay in the program, and also seemed related to motivation, prior socialization, and utilization of various specific aspects of the program, particularly vocational counseling. There seem to be many paths to rehabilitation, and a varied program seems of particular value in working with this population.

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