For over 50 years, the Gateway Foundation has been a leader in substance abuse recovery. Having served over 1 million patients to date, Gateway continues its commitment to assisting individuals on their road to recovery. The Gateway Foundation offers a comprehensive approach to treatment and recovery by creating personalized programs that meet clients where they are. There are residential programs, partial hospitalization programs, outpatient treatment and transitional or sober living homes.
Recently Gateway brought on Jeremy Klemanski to head the organization. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral health, Jeremy spent some time talking about his commitment to individuals seeking recovery, and the potential challenges of assisting individuals seeking recovery.
Jeremy, what is your why?
JK: I had an opportunity to see what happens when part of a family is affected by substance use and mental health. I had the opportunity to live the experience when someone gets good services and treatment and finds recovery and the restorative and healing power it has for the family. And I had the opportunity to see in my life people who didn't get that opportunity and how that continues to be a destructive force for them, their family and sometimes their business. So my why is making sure as many people as possible get the opportunity that I and my family received and have the opportunity to have a richer fuller life. And so my why is helping people get sober, helping them be a part of families, go back to school, go back to work, be a part of building businesses, be a healthy creator in our community, as opposed to someone who's suffering in silence but also other people are hurting because of their suffering.
What do you see as your biggest challenge in leading Gateway?
JK: The biggest challenge right now is that there is a lot of need and the people who do the work at Gateway and also other organizations we're all trying to find and develop enough qualified health professionals: counselors, nurses, physicians, peers in recovery. We are trying to develop enough workforce to meet all of that need.
That is an industry-wide problem, actually, it is a nationwide problem. But it's also affecting things right here in Chicago and sometimes it shows up in the clinicians who are doing the work today having a bigger caseload than we want them to have. Just having enough qualified health professionals to do this work is really the biggest obstacle that I see in this area and that I've experienced so far. But it's also a national phenomenon impacting people all over the country.
“My life’s mission is to build behavioral health systems that foster improved access to high quality"
Gateway has a wide range of services available, however, are there any barriers to treatment?
JK: We treat people with Medicaid, managed Medicaid, all different types of insurance and we also accept self-pay here. I don't think economics are a barrier to treatment. I haven't seen that. It could be in people's minds that they're afraid they don't have resources or they're afraid to reach out.
I would say for anybody who is thinking about or contemplating seeking services call. Go to gatewayfoundation.org and look at our information if you call our number or our call center we will connect you with treatment. If we are not the right place for you then we'll understand that but we will help you connect with somebody that is. We're not going to turn somebody away because they don’t think we're the right place for them.
Gateway has several locations, not only in the Chicagoland area but throughout the state. They have a proven track record of helping individuals recover from addiction. Once the decision is made to seek treatment, a phone call or a visit to a Gateway location is the best way to begin the treatment process. No one is turned away due to the inability to pray for treatment.
For more information about Gateway go to www.gatewayfoundation.org or call 888.706.2239 to start the recovery process today. Help is available, taking the first step is always the hardest part of the journey. If you or someone you know needs help to recover from substance use disorder, reach out to Gateway today.
Quote from Jeremy: “My life’s mission is to build behavioral health systems that foster improved access to high quality