IRON MOUNTAIN – Deacon Don Christy, founder and director of the Alpha Omega Residential Rehabilitation Home in Iron Mountain, has announced that changes are being made in restructuring and management personnel because of the increasing needs of residents and staff responsibilities.

Christy said that because of the success and demands of this unique program, it is now necessary to utilize a full-time administrative director and also a full-time spiritual adviser to guide and direct the residents about spiritual matters.

Since spirituality is the whole basis of this unique rehabilitation program, it is not possible for him to carry on both roles of administrator and spiritual adviser, Christy said.

Therefore, Will Shampo, director of the Catholic Social Services office in Iron Mountain, has taken over as volunteer administrative director of Alpha Omega house at 112 E. Brown St. and Christy will redirect his efforts to the spiritual needs of each resident as well as continue to teach jail theology classes every Thursday night at 8 p.m.

Jerry McIntyre, past director of Dickinson County Department of Social Services, has extensive experience in this field and will remain as the Alpha Omega onsite manager and be in control of day-to-day functions of Alpha Omega and guide the residents’ daily success in rehabilitation.

Christy stated that his dream two years ago was to open an Alpha Omega home in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford community and have it paid for without any government funding of any kind.

Because of the generosity of the community, that dream became a reality within two months of opening the doors and the donations have continued to pour in so the program’s budget is met each month, he said.

The response from the community has been overwhelming and assures the continued success of this ministry, he said.

Christy explained that because of professionals in the community who have volunteered their services in a variety of ways at Alpha Omega, they are able to provide AA meetings, NA meetings, wellness group meetings, theology education (as a basis for leading a Christian life), large and small group sharing sessions, computer skills, resume writing and general skills of cooking and housekeeping, as well as the opportunity to secure a high school diploma through a GED program.

All of these services ultimately lead to the success of residents after they leave Alpha Omega, he said.

Christy asked that every person who has been generous to Alpha Omega this past year will continue to help the program financially to allow them to meet their future expansion efforts.

“Our next dream for the future is to provide a female Alpha Omega home in this community and provide the same benefits towards recovery for their addictions,” he said.

After that dream is realized, it is the intent of Alpha Omega Residential Rehabilitation Home (through Catholic Social Services) to open facilities in every strategically located area throughout the Upper Peninsula, he said.

“God bless this community, clergy, church members and our advisory board who have been so supportive this past year and I thank you for your continued trust, support and prayers for the future,” Christy said.