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Shalom, Inc. is a school and community-based private, non-profit, agency. We offer a variety of professional services that range from prevention and intervention services through our community-based treatment program. We are funded by a variety of public and private sources.

At Shalom we believe every individual has intrinsic value and the potential to make a unique contribution to society. It is our mission to decrease the effect of risk factors that might create barriers to achievement of this potential and to fortify those resources that support each individual’s success.

Shalom’s History

Shalom was founded in 1973 by Sister Madeleine Boyd, SND de Namur. Shalom began as a high school-based drug and alcohol abuse prevention program with a grant from the City of Philadelphia’s Coordinating Office for Drug and Alcohol Abuse Programs. In the provision of these prevention services, an overwhelming need for intervention services grew. Expansion and new initiative funding also broadened the scope and target population of Shalom’s services over the years.

Shalom has received several awards during our years of operation. Shalom was open for only two years, and in only eight schools, when it was first cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a national model for replication (NIDA, 1975). It again received this honor in 1977. In 1986, Shalom was selected as one of Pennsylvania’s programs to receive the “Award of Excellence" (PA Dept. of Heath). Also in 1986, Shalom received an “Outstanding Achievement Award" in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary’s Community Health Promotion Awards Program. In 1987, the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Office of Drug and Alcohol Programs selected Shalom as its nomination for the national search for “Ten American Programs" to identify projects that “demonstrated attributes considered to be earmarks of effective prevention programming." In 1991, Shalom was selected to be part of a national study of seven promising prevention programs. The Washington Research Center, a division of the American Institutes for Research, began with a database of over 490 programs before narrowing the scope of their evaluation to the chosen seven. In 2004, we received three honors. Shalom was chosen as the “Program of the Year" by the Pennsylvania Certification Board. Dr. Sandra Hart, Director of Shalom’s Counseling Center, was given the Community Leadership Award by the Caron Foundation. And, the County and State Detective Association of Pennsylvania awarded “The Distinguished Service to Youth Award" to Shalom’s Founder and Executive Director, Sister Madeleine Boyd, SND de Namur.

Mission Statement

Shalom, Inc. exists for the prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse and mental health issues. Since substance abuse and mental health issues often involve a wide variety of problems, many issues are addressed, such as coping skills, family problems, child abuse, sexual abuse, gambling problems, eating disorders, peer problems, anger/violence, and so forth. Prevention and intervention services seek to minimize risks for abusive behavior and to promote strengths that are protective factors. The Shalom Counseling Program provides treatment and aftercare for issues surrounding substance abuse as well as for behavioral health issues such as depression, anxiety, and school, family and relationship problems.

Description of Services

Shalom provides services to both public and non-public schools in Philadelphia. Our Grade School Program prevention specialists teach prevention curricula in the school setting that address a variety of topics such as interpersonal life skills, drugs and alcohol, bullying and violence. Shalom uses evidence-based curricula whenever possible. These programs have been proven to be effective through research.

The High School Program is based largely upon small group and individual support for those students who are already in distress or are displaying high-risk behaviors. High school prevention specialists also moderate Students Against Destructive Decisions and other peer leadership programs. In addition, they serve as facilitators for the Student Assistance Program team in each school.

The Adults in the Making program works with teens around issues of developing skills for healthy relationships, pregnancy and parenting. Much of this work is done in small group and individual sessions. Classroom presentations are also used where it is appropriate.

Shalom school-based staff work closely with school administrators, teachers and parents to provide services that are in alignment with the needs of the students and the standards of the school.

The Counseling Center is a licensed outpatient clinic that provides therapy for a variety of behavioral health issues. Our clinic is located at our main offices at 1080 N. Delaware Avenue, Suite 602, Philadelphia, PA 19125. We also provide on-site services at some Philadelphia area schools.

At our main office we also provide a full range of services for people who have been arrested for Driving Under the Influence. All court-ordered interviews and classes are available by appointment and the Counseling Center offers DUI treatment.

For more information about any of our services, you can email info@shalominc.com or call 215-425-7727.

Shalom's Annual Report for 2007-08 is available to the general public and can be requested through the contact information above.