Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - December 25, 2008
For the mostly male clients, staff members interview clients about their prison terms and ask hard questions about their medical and sexual histories and any drug use.
Next, the clients are tested for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, other chronic physical illnesses and mental health problems at Herman Kiefer or at related outpatient facilities.
The Returning Citizens Public Health Center is dedicated to ex-offenders and their families, aimed at helping them regain their lives outside of prison.
The center is the brainchild of Dr. Calvin Trent, director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion's Bureau of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, and the Rev. DeeDee Coleman of Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church.
Coleman, who began working with ex-offenders as a state employee 30 decades ago, formed Wings of Faith in 1999, partnering with state officials and private foundations to expand offender re-entry programs to provide job training and counseling.
Coleman said she acted after finding that ex-offenders she referred to employers for jobs often were sent back because of untreaded drug or health problems.
"The need was overwhelming," she told the Detroit Free Press for a story Wednesday. "We had to prioritize. ... We missed the real issue."
In 2002, Coleman met Trent, who offered treatment in the city's substance abuse facilities. By 2007, Trent found space for Wings of Faith and other groups at Herman Kiefer.
The space cost $250,000 annually and is funded by a 5-year federal grant.
Trent said he wanted to "create a wing, a place where we could invite other community-based organizers who would serve this population.
"Without some kind of health screening, they could pose some larger issues for the community," he said. "We wanted to also create a place where they get more services beyond health care ... to create an atmosphere where they feel welcome."
Trennence Mallory, 50, of Detroit said the center was a godsend for him about a year ago. A recovering drug addict, he now does intake for Exit House, one of the community groups at the center that helps ex-offenders find housing.
Most of his clients have health care issues, he said, "but some of them don't want to admit to it. We have to get them comfortable."
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