New Jerusalem Now is comprised of five residences (including one currently being rehabilitated) and two formal recovery programs. The community is centered at 2011 West Norris Street, a residence which serves as housing for the program director and other staff, administrative offices, a community gathering space, and a hospitality center. Because we are committed to encouraging organic leadership in the community, all residences are managed by program participants, and the community as a whole is collectively governed.

Peter House

Peter House is a program for recovering addicts with a history of relapse. By committing to the responsibilities of community living and focusing on personal spiritual growth, members of Peter House seek the sustained and sustainable recovery that has previously eluded them.

Members of Peter House participate daily in Bible study or other spiritual study, community work (usually house maintenance), group therapy sessions, and house meetings. Many members also receive individual addiction treatment at Outley's Professional Services. They participate frequently in rallies and demonstrations with various organizations working for social justice in the Philadelphia area.
Candidates for membership in Peter House are admitted on the basis of an interview with current members. They must express and demonstrate a commitment to the principles of community life at New Jerusalem and to the demands of sustained recovery. Admission is also based on voluntary compliance with a sixty-day "blackout" period, in which members neither communicate with friends or family nor commit their energy to work or school. This period is meant to facilitate an intense focus on personal recovery and spirituality. Members may reestablish contact with friends and family after two months, attend school after three months, take a part-time job after four months, and take a full-time job after six months.

Advanced Recovery

New Jerusalem Now has an advanced recovery program and community living experience for men and women with six months or more in recovery. The program consists of separate long-term residence houses for men (Joseph House) and women (Miriam House), and all members meet weekly for group therapy sessions and house management meetings. Members also attend group therapy sessions outside of the New Jerusalem community (SELF Inc., AA, NA) and most members have full-time jobs.
The focus of New Jerusalem Now is establishing accountability for individual advanced recovery goals and preparing to face the demands of "life on life's terms," including responsible financing, securing housing, and family living.
Candidates for membership in New Jerusalem Now are admitted by a consensus decision among current members following a thirty day trial period. Emergency accommodations are provided for potential members when necessary.

In both Peter House and New Jerusalem Now, any evidence of substance abuse is grounds for dismissal from the community. All members must agree to urine tests at the community's request, and emergency meetings are called when tests provide evidence of drug or alcohol use. We make every effort to relocate members who relapse to other recovery programs in the area