REBIRTH THERAPEUTIC CENTERS
The inspiration for starting a work to help drug addicts in Thailand rehabilitate came to our founder, Fr. James Flanagan, during the decade of the 1970’s. By Divine Providence Fr. Flanagan met two young Thai women who began this work for our community and later became Sisters-Sr. Raphael and Sr. Rosaline.
In 1977, the first center, named the Rebirth Center, opened on October 6th, 1979 in an unused building of a former school in the diocese of Ratchaburi. It was decided in the early 1990s to open a separate women’s center for drug addiction rehabilitation in the diocese of Chantaburi. This women’s center of Bangkla has a current population of around 50-60 teenage girls and young women.
Many different SOLT members have come from time to time to serve in this apostolate. The two centers are the first and only non-government Therapeutic Community Centers in Thailand. The two centers are also members of the Association of International Therapeutic Communities whose headquarters are in New York City.
The life in the two Rebirth Centers is modeled after a family, a school and a therapeutic community. Here the men and women learn and live a responsible way of life with a gradual increase in responsibilities and status. The residents focus on helping each other gain a drug-free life and becoming productive members of society.
The Rebirth therapeutic drug treatment process consists of programs which together encourage the members to develop positive attitudes, healthy relationships, noble ideas, sound values, and mature judgment. These qualities in turn help them to reach emotional, intellectual, and spiritual changes. These changes bring about the integration of the whole person. Some of the programs that bring about this change are individual, group and family counseling, therapeutic workshops, education, vocational training and other support services.
Contact Us
REBIRTH THERAPEUTIC CENTER FOR WOMEN
Sr. Lucia Maria Srimanee, SOLT, Director and House Servant
33 Missunguthit Road
Bangkla District
Chacheongsao 24110 Thailand