Rehabilitation
June 9, 2014
Having worked as a chemical dependency counselor for the first 10 years of my professional career, I have some knowledge of the process of rehabilitation. It is interesting that the steps involved are very similar whether discussing people or buildings.
When done successfully, doors that otherwise would be closed, begin to open.
The process usually begins with some form of communication. If a building is going to be rehabbed, someone must identify the structure(s) involved and file the necessary forms and permits with the appropriate housing authority. If it is a person, then some form of dialogue between folks or some type of internal discussion within the individual must be had.
This initial step will allow for a sorting through of the debris that has accumulated over time and the taking of an inventory…
which can then illuminate…
the bits that are broken…
and those that may be of continued use. After all, it is of great importance to identify that which can be part of the solution as well as identifying that which contributes to the problem. This is a vital step as a cursory review may only lead to the…
stripping away of the surface layers…
while it is often the inner workings that contain the real issues whose reparations are the key to continued health and serviceability.
The photographs in this post were made in one of the apartments in a building owned by Cass Community Services. This particular project is being completed so that the apartments may be used for long-term housing for residents of the city of Detroit.
Take care.