What We Do
.webp)
HARVEST ACADEMY IS A THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY.
LIVES CHANGE HERE
Harvest Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that allows men who have dealt with incarceration, homelessness, and/or substance abuse to change their life, free of charge. This is a 24-month program that offers vocational training, peer mentorship/leadership, education, and transitional services. We are completely self-funded through the efforts of our student-run vocational schools.
THE HARVEST ACADEMY PROCESS
We utilize a therapeutic community model which is a group-based approach to long-term anti-social behaviors and drug addiction. Therapeutic communities have existed for over 60 years, and are one of the most researched and effective methods for helping those with long-term addiction and behavioral problems. The unique part about a therapeutic community is that the first-hand experience, in the recovery of our students replaces the need for doctors, counselors, and therapists. There is no one better to teach, mentor, and guide someone on the road to recovery than someone who has already overcome those challenges or is fighting the same struggles.
The participants in the program are called "students" and face some of the most difficult challenges society fails to solve and address - but together as a community, we are able to overcome what most find impossible. We do not spend time talking about addiction philosophy, discussing our past, or preaching book readings. We spend our time DOING. We have a saying, "ACT AS IF." We ACT AS IF we are honest until we become honest. ACT AS IF you are reliable until you become reliable. ACT AS IF you are confident until you become confident.
At Harvest Academy we build a solid foundation of good habits that eventually make us to be the people we are expected to be.
SOCIAL ENTERPRISES
The Classic Therapeutic Community model of treatment that Harvest Academy follows allows our students entire stay completely free of cost through the participation and operation of our social enterprises. Being a 501(c)(3) non-profit, 100% of our revenue from our social enterprises goes back into the program to cover all operational costs. This allows our students to stay in the program as long as they need (even after their 24-commitment), not as long as they pay us or funding is available from outside entities.
Our social enterprises not only allow our students to have a financially free stay, but give them real life, hands-on practices in a variety of skills. We see the participation in our social enterprises allows our students to gain skills that directly transfer over into the real world workforce. The best type of learning for our community is to not talk about the skills, but actually practice them day after day to harness and refine the things that will carry them to success after graduation.
TRANSITIONAL SERVICES
Harvest Academy asks our students to commit a minimum 24-months to truly create long lasting behavior change. When students get near their 24 months, we ensure that all students have the following criteria before graduating:
- Employment
- Plan of transportation
- Place of living
- 1 year plan post graduation
- 3 months minimum spent at a full-time job while still at Harvest Academy
- Personal bank account
- Fines/restitution/court fines paid off or payment plan setup
- A high diploma/GED or completion of Hi-Set degree
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Driver's license (state ID if DL is unattainable)
- Personal email
- Personal cell phone
For those that may not be ready, or wanting to leave right at their 24 month mark, we have options for students to stay on for an additional 6 or 12 months. This allows students to continue to build a stronger foundation for when they leave the Academy, the chance to save more money, the opportunity to take parenting classes and reunification with children, or the chance to train to become a program staff of Harvest Academy.
