Alcohol & Chemical Abuse Rehab Center, Inc.

     In 1976, my son went to prison and with him went my heart. If there had been a place that heeded the needs of my troubled child and our family - a place like the ACAR Center - perhaps my heart would be with my today.
     Fortunately, families in our community can now find help to free their children from the cycle of alcohol, drugs, and crime. The ACAR Center is different. The staff cares about every child, every family. It is an amazing place, where young people can change and crimes can be prevented.
     I'm asking for your help because the need is so great. Our children are preparing for prison every day. The Juvenile Court of Shelby County processed over 20,000 children in 1998 - children from Memphis, Cordova, Whitehaven, Frayser, Germanton, and all over Shelby County. More parents' hearts will be locked away today. Without your help, even more hearts will be imprisoned tomorrow.
     Our children are our future. Though my own heart will never be free, I'm doing everything I can to help save the trouble young people of today. You, too, hold in your hand the key that can keep so many parents' hearts, so many young children, from becoming prisoners of alcohol, drugs, and crime. With your loving and generous support for the work of ACAR, we can turn the key that opens the door to help and hope for tomorrow's children.

The Alcohol & Chemical Abuse Rehab Center, Inc. ("ACAR") is a licensed non-profit agency that serves the people of our community who are at-risk for or who already have problems with alcohol, drugs, addiction, family violence, anger management, or DUI. Since January 1999, ACAR has operated as a federally approved 501(c) (3) charitable organization.
The ACAR Center provides outpatient treatment and counseling, and intervention, prevention, and education services. In addition to individual clients, many local schools, employee assistance programs, and community agencies - including Juvenile Court - have called upon ACAR for assistance.

"In our attempts to establish a brighter future for our community, it is significant that we treat youth and use preventative measures to encourage them to remain drug free. However, in a holistic approach, it is also important that we provide assistance to those individuals already caught in the cycle of abuse."

-Representative Harold Ford, Jr.
In a Letter of Reference for the ACAR Center

"The ACAR Center, Inc. Program renders an innovative and unique form of intervention and prevention, which addresses the complex issues and concerns surrounding at-risk youth."

-Judge Kenneth Turner
Juvenile Court

"Having known and worked with ms. McNeely for several years I can say without hesitation that she is a very caring individual who has been tireless in her efforts to assist persons who have had difficulty with the Criminal Justice System due to chemical abuse and/or addiction...the ACAR Center, Inc. approach will seek to assist the young people who have already begun to follow a path of criminal behavior which will lead to incarceration. The adult Drug Court has proven that when the Treatment provider work hand-in-hand with the offender, recidivism is lowerd."

-Judge Tim Dwyer
Shelby County Adult Drug Court

"As a parent of a teenager who made a bad choice, I am so thankful that Juvenile Court sent our teen to alcohol rehab at the ACAR Center. After assessment, our teen was also referred to ACAR's anger management course.

ACAR not only helped our child, it helped us. You are not alone; you can meet other parents struggling with similar experiences. You know that you don't have to explain everything, that someone will simply say, 'I understand.'

It does get better. You learn to deal with the situations that arise. Your teen is better, and as a parent you are better for having come here as well. Once you come through the doors of the ACAR Center, you have come into an extended family that is always here for you."

-Nancy J.

"Over the years I have sought assistance with my child five different times. Two times I took him to psychologists, once to an LCSW, and twice to counselors...What I said to each of these people was ignored...In each case, treatment consisted of one or two visits that were perfunctory at best. At the completeion of my time, I was no better off, my son was no better off, and I became increasingly frustrated at my inability to get the help I needed.

This did not happen when I came to the ACAR Center...For the first time I was taken seriously...(I know) that I have been understood for the first time; that I have a place to go for help that will listen to my son and me; and that my child has received the best treatment possible."

-Dr. Susan H., Ph.D.

     The Alcohol & Chemical Abuse Rehab Center, Inc. ("ACAR") is a non-profit public service agency committed to helping individuals whose lives are at risk due to alcohol, drugs, and related behavior problems.
     At ACAR, we recognize that substance abuse and anti-social behavior often go hand-in-hand. Therefore, the Center provides a comprehensive program for the whole person, addressing the relationship between chemical dependency and family dynamics, spiritual development, education, employment, and encounters with the criminal justice system. Our special focus is redirecting the lives of at-risk youth.
     The ACAR Center offers prevention, intervention, and treatment services for any person or family in need, regardless of economic, social, or cultural background. Individual and group donations of time, service, and dollars are vital to our success.
     At ACAR, we care about people as individuals.

When you open your heart with a donation or pledge to the ACAR Center, we will display a "heart" in our front window to honor both your tax-deductible gift and the child you have helped to free from alcohol, drugs, and crime. You hold the key to a child's future. Thank you for caring. Thank you for giving. The ACAR Center, Inc. accepts Checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Here are some examples of what your donations could do: $20 to test one child for alcohol or drug use, $40 to evaluate one child for intervention or treatment, $180 for the first three intervention sessions for one child, or $720 for intensive treatment for one child. Please note that we also accept other kinds of donations. If you would like to donate to the ACAR Center, please use the information below to get in touch with us.

Write to us:	633 Monroe Avenue Memphis, Tennessee, 38103
Call us:	(901) 527-3100
Send us a fax:	(901) 527-3102
Send us an e-mail:	ACARCENTER@aol.com
Visit our website:	http://www.acarcenter.org