-What does "New Jerusalem Laura" mean?

The Biblical vision of a "New Jerusalem" -- in which suffering, need and violence give way to a life of creativity, abundance, and love -- informs the daily life of our community. It reminds us that the work of personal transformation is, at the same time, the work of world transformation. In the process of recovery lies the prospect of resurrection, not only of the individual, but of the suffering society in which addiction is so prevalent.

"Laura" is the name for a desert hermitage settlement, a reference which seemed very appropriate for the North Philadelphia settlement when it was. As our community has grown from a three-person collective to a 50-person recovery program, it has maintained its commitment to the values of self-reflection, spiritual development, sustainability, and cooperation that the name "laura" was meant to identify.

-What exactly is "recovery" as experienced in the NJL community?

The word "recovery" stands for the process of intentionally overcoming the negative compulsions and patterns that characterize the disease of addiction to mind-altering chemicals. Recovery also means moving progressively toward one's full potential for healthy, independent, and socially-responsible living. Fundamentally, recovery is about reestablishing one's connection with the social and spiritual world through critical self-reflection, constructive social engagement, and the development of healthy and loving relationships.

-How is NJL different from other outpatient recovery programs like AA and NA?

NJL is the only recovery program in the area that focuses on the unique challenges of advanced recovery, transition, and chronic relapse. While we acknowledge the importance of basic recovery care, our focus is on the problems of personal and social transformation in the later stages of recovery.

More importantly, though, New Jerusalem is unique in its committment to grassroots, self-help, and community-based recovery. Both the mutual support and the responsibility that come with being a member of a discrete community of recovering people are essential to spiritual growth and sustainable recovery. At NJL, we believe that addiction is both a symptom and a cause of a vast network of social problems, and that personal transformation through the development of strong relationships and commitments is crucial to the reversal of these destructive social trends.

-Is NJL an exclusively Christian community?

No. NJL is a non-denominational community, and members come from various Christian and non-Christian faith traditions. While we do understand recovery as a necessarily spiritual process, we do not promote any specific religious beliefs or practices. Instead, we celebrate the different spiritual perspectives of our members as unique insights into the demands of life in recovery.

-Does NJL have any express political commitments?

New Jerusalem is not affiliated with any political party, nor do its members subscribe to any single political ideology. We do, however, believe that the work of rebuilding communities on the verge of self-destruction is unavoidably political. We believe that recovery is about fostering an awareness of and a commitment to change the conditions of poverty, homelessness, hopelessness, and disempowerment that feed the social disease of addiction. For this reason, we work to support organizations that are challenging the structures of injustice, oppression, discrimination, and neglect that create these conditions.