About Us
Welcome to Cedar Oak, a unique ministry dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing home for those in need. Founded in 2023, Cedar Oak is a haven for individuals who require a place to live, offering comprehensive support and a compassionate community.
At Cedar Oak, we recognize the many challenges faced by individuals who lack stable housing. These difficulties are compounded when drugs have been part of the person’s past. Our mission is to address this critical issue by offering a holistic approach that encompasses not only shelter but also personalized care, empowerment, and long-term solutions.
Our Program
Cedar Oak offers a wide range of services aimed at addressing the diverse needs of our residents. Our spiritual life skill classes cover a variety of topics, such as Making Peace with your Past, Overcoming Depression, Experiencing God, Better Relationships, Anger Management, Celebrate Recovery, Financial Stewardship, Job Readiness, and more. These classes provide valuable tools and insights to help individuals navigate life's challenges and develop a strong spiritual foundation.
We recognize the importance of individualized care, and our one-on-one and group counseling sessions provide a supportive environment for residents to share their struggles, receive guidance, and work towards healing. Additionally, we offer 12-step and relapse prevention programs (Celebrate Recovery), ensuring that residents have access to effective strategies for maintaining their recovery journey.
Recovery mentoring and accountability play a crucial role in our program. Our dedicated mentors provide guidance, support, and encouragement to residents, helping them navigate the complexities of their personal journeys. Alongside this, we offer Bible studies, pastoral counseling, and worship services, creating opportunities for spiritual growth and nourishment.
Maintaining a drug and alcohol-free environment is of utmost importance to our staff and senior residents. We prioritize creating a safe and supportive community that fosters healing and growth, ensuring that all individuals have the opportunity to thrive and achieve lasting recovery. Therefore, randomized drug testing will regularly happen.
Purpose
Cedar Oak operates a residential ministry that aims to support people as they reintegrate into the local community with a strong Christian foundation. The program offers certificates of recognition upon completing three, six, nine months, and completion of the program, although many residents continue to stay beyond the one year mark for ongoing therapeutic and spiritual growth. Residents who stay longer are encouraged to participate in leadership classes and contribute to the ministry by serving on the Mentoring Team or taking up additional roles. The program values residents who are actively walking with Christ, recognizing their significant role in the success of new residents.
Goals
Short Term: The ministry aims to offer a transformative residential aftercare program of at least nine months, focusing on fostering Christian growth, building meaningful connections, addressing counseling needs, and developing essential life skills.
Long Term: The ministry strives to successfully reintegrate residents into the community and a local Bible teaching church following their graduation. Our objective is to equip residents with spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and vocational readiness to complete the program within a nine-month timeframe. For individuals approved by the Aftercare Committee, ongoing discipleship training opportunities are available to support their continued growth.
Admission
For admission into Cedar Oak, individuals must be referred to the Aftercare Committee by a range of trusted sources, including Cedar Oak volunteers, area ministry leaders, case workers, the treatment courts, institutional activities coordinators, parole or probation officers, or chaplains who have personally known the applicant during their time of incarceration. Interested individuals can request an application in writing, which will be sent directly to them. To be considered for admission, a fully completed application must be submitted to the Aftercare Committee and approved. Rest assured, all information received is treated with utmost confidentiality, unless the applicant explicitly authorizes its release for a specific purpose.
Resident Guidelines
It is highly recommended to obtain a copy of your birth certificate and a Missouri State ID before joining the program, as this will significantly enhance your chances of securing timely employment (especially if you were born outside of Missouri). Most DOC institutions can assist you in obtaining these identification documents.
Active participation in a local church is mandatory: Wednesday night and Sunday morning every week.
A curfew of 10:00 pm is in place: Sunday - Thursday evenings. 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday's.
Weekend furloughs, limited to immediate family members only, may be considered after one month, if you have just completed a 12-month residential treatment before coming to Cedar Oak. Otherwise, weekend furloughs will be considered after three months of successful participation in the program.
Attendance of weekly classes are mandatory: i.e. Celebrate Recovery, Bible Study, etc. Additionally, private counseling sessions, and/or pastoral care are required on a weekly basis: either Monday or Tuesday evenings depending on availability.
All residents must pay a program fee of $150 per week.
Residents will be required to download an app (OneStep) on your phone to pay program fees, verify church attendance, and communicate with leadership.
Personal Requirements
To ensure a respectful and Christ-honoring environment, it is essential to maintain a clean and presentable appearance. Men are not allowed to have body piercings, including those in the tongue, eyebrows, navel, or nose.
As part of your commitment to the program, you will be assigned two hours of work service each week: i.e. cleaning your rooms, laundry, cleaning the main living quarters and up keep outside with things like grass cutting, picking up trash, etc. This helps foster a sense of responsibility and contributes to the smooth operation of our community, and helps keep the house clean and enjoyable to live in.
At Cedar Oak, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use, pornography, cursing, and any form of fighting, including negativity. These behaviors are not in line with our values and mission, and we strive to create an environment that promotes positive growth and well-being.
Personal automobiles are permitted on a case-by-case basis. This rule helps foster a sense of community and reduces distractions as you focus on your personal growth and recovery.
While in the program, we discourage romantic relationships. It is important to prioritize your own healing and development. Therefore, no new relationships are allowed during your first six months in the program. This guideline allows you to focus on your own journey and establish a strong foundation before considering romantic involvement.
Financial Responsibilities
As part of your commitment to Cedar Oak, several financial responsibilities are required. Securing full-time employment is mandatory, and our team is ready to assist you in this process. It is essential to stay current on your program and housing fees, which are to be paid weekly. Payment can be made in cash or through debit/credit card transactions for a small fee via the OneStep app. Additionally, residents are responsible for covering any damages they may have caused to the property. Once you have obtained employment, you will be expected to independently cover your gas and transportation expenses. These financial obligations are integral to your journey at Cedar Oak and contribute to your personal growth and development within our community.
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