loss prevention officer

cook

senior travel coordinator

program director

mental health technician

Cenikor Foundation

Clients are not getting responsible care and after care. Clients are being released no where to go. Supervisor is often impulsive, tells clients different freedoms are going to happen like letting short stay have more freedom smoking but does not have a way to implement causing confusion with staff and clients. This way of doing things often causes chaos and clients to become upset. Employees who were dealing drugs to clients were allowed to stay on payroll, while others were let go.The detox and short stay unit are always in chaos. Promises are made to different agencies such as Veterans Administration and Federal Probation that Cenikor cannot make good on such as job hunting and after care. Many times clients are left to run groups ( no group at all) because the staff is busy doing intakes to keep population up but not the quality. Staff and clients are in danger many times because of inproper entry searches. Drugs, weapons, cell phones should be priority but instead it is how much clothing or if they are hiding food. Clients with walkers and wheel chairs have no safe access to get out to the basketball leisure smoking area and have fallen. Fire Exit is also dangerous through a muddy broken side walk no wheelchair ramp.  Clients who are often sick and not stable on there feet help carry clients up and down stairs. Detox clients are allowed unsupervised in this concrete area where seizures have occurred and it is a miracle they have not had severe injury by seizing on concrete. The supervisor is unprofessional and does not understand the needs and duties for each shift, staff, and clients. Will not ask questions and pretends that supervisor knows what they are doing when some humility would go along way.  Admissions are made to admit people who are above Cenikor care. Staff have had to feed and shower clients because of medication toxicity. Please do not work here. Medical Staff are put in situations that can affect there liscense. Staff have had to perform duties that were not safe such as monitoring 45 clients to one staff member. Clients helping staff in volatile situations such as physical fights and preventing  disgruntled discharge clients from coming back into facility.  All staff are severely under paid. The BHT staff are paid less than the Mcdonalds drive through employees. Staff are treated as disposable. Clients are often treated with no dignity by supervisor, such as a situation with a client, not knowing or caring about a traumatic experience ask to remove clothing. Clients are given special liberties by being under VA contract. In order to keep these clients rules and staff have been allowed to be abused, while other clients who are not as profitable are made to follow stricter rules,and are not allowed same liberties. The less profitable are often discharged with quickness and ease by supervisor and clinical staff for not following rules or being disruptive. This is not a place for change unless it is a rule or procedure every 5 minutes. Clients are not receiving the structure, care, dignity, respect, and recovery needed to began recovering from the disease of addiction.

While the work experience at Cenikor is continuously evolving and growing, the reward of impacting the lives of those in crisis is well worth the work. A word of caution: the environment changes nearly every day. If an applicant prefers a more relaxed work environment, this place would not be a good fit for that person. The management at this particular place is disconnected from the clientele. Though they understand the behaviors and struggles associated with certain admitted clients, they are not privy to the nuances of their behaviors that challenge you on a day to day basis. Cenikor also has a duty to their clients; if a client puts your job at risk by claiming you are harassing them or violating their rights, Cenikor WILL side with their residents. The senior management is a tad indifferent, but there are solid nurses and counselors that are committed to their jobs that make the experience there enjoyable. But as a BHT, understand you are the bottom of the barrel, your opinions will be weighed, measured, and likely stored in a filing cabinet. There is however, the personal satisfaction of the impact you can make on the lives of those that truly want recovery from their addictions. I had several residents personally thank me for my compassion and attribute their completion of Cenikor's program to my actions during their stay there. However, after working there for four months I felt it was my co-workers who took advantage of me. My shift was changed without my consent or knowledge, and was never even offered an apology for the lapse in professional courtesy. I was expected to be a "lead tech" without a promotion or authority, I was expected to be knowledgeable of procedure with very inadequate training and preparation. My co-workers were typically leaving early or lackadaisically contributing to the daily labors needing to be completed during my shift (I walked anywhere from 5-6 miles a day during a 9 hour shift, and I can tell you TWO other BHT's besides myself did the same.) Teammates would show up late or call in with an hour or less before their shift starts. I was, more times than I liked, left as the only BHT on deck for over an hour. Having been working since I was sixteen, yes, I understand these are problems we face in the workforce in our society. However, I neither excuse the senior management's mismanagement of the BHT's nor their lack of courtesy for our well-being when they have a commitment to their employees as well. I do not pardon my co-workers for not exhibiting the same work ethic they compliment me for having. If you decide to work here, keep your nose in your work, be mindful of policy and procedure, and you might enjoy it. Ask as many questions as you can, and follow-up about your computer-based training and your new-hire orientation (which I never completed or received assistance competing). Some of the BHT's and nurses truly do.

Working for Cenikor:
The business side of Cenikor is dedicated to education and training, they have intensive managers’ conferences that inform you of organizational growth, expectations, opportunities and policy changes. The managers collectively will have read a “call to action” book before attending that assists you in raising your professional skills and performance; team decision making with action plans that are put in place and followed up after the conference. Job descriptions are in writing; your goals are written and updated monthly by you. An annual gain-sharing bonus is a benefit based on the accomplishments of the combination of your goals and those of the facility you work at. This organization is dedicated to helping individuals struggling with chronic substance abuse addiction.

The philosophical atmosphere is one that reflects “old fashion” values, you know, when people cared about life, each other and themselves, were held accountable for their actions. Respect of others and others property, getting up early in the morning so that you make good use of your day, speaking up and clearly so that others can understand you, having you shirt tucked in and pants pulled up so you look respectable and ready to get something purposeful done. Or for the ladies, clothes not too tight, so that what is noticed is your character. I could go on and on. You as an employee are an example of these standards, like going the extra mile, doing a task to assist someone else even if its not in your job description, working a little later or coming in when your not scheduled, because its what’s needed to get the job done. We refer to it as being “all in”.

Personally, you become part of the solution to the serious social issue of substance abuse. You will experience seeing individuals come into treatment who regain their self respect, reunite with family, heal physically and mentally, grow into someone they are proud to be. You will see some who aren’t ready to change and it will break your heart. You will meet graduates of the program who are living a life in recovery, some have been doing so for 10, 20, 30 years. It is uplifting, it restores your faith in people; it reminds you that people really can change, and it will confirm that no matter how many times someone has tried recovery, it is never too late.
If you’re ready to step up to the plate, plan to hit a home run!

I was introduced to Cenikor during a time when my state was in turmoil due to cutbacks and layoffs. At first, I was unsure if I could meet the expectations of Cenikor and was somewhat fearful of the unknown; but if I wanted to continue with my career path, I knew that I would have to step into a new role with Cenikor.

This level of management was new to me; and the field of public relations was something I had never seen myself doing. They allowed me the freedom to sculpt my position so I could meet the needs of referral sources, staff, and myself. There are many aspects to my job that I love but the most pleasurable is the diverse amount of people I get to meet through my outreach. It has deepened my level of commitment to my community. I have been able to have so many enriching experiences through my outreach that, at times I have to say "wow this is my life". I have never worked for an employer that has invested so much time and resources, into building a better me. They have allowed me the opportunity to discover and explore my professional abilities and provided me with trainings and programs that have promoted growth from within.

I am very fortunate to work with a team that I admire and respect foundation wide. We may not always be in agreement but Cenikor is a professional and stable place to work and grow. However, it is not for everyone. Cenikor is not for a person who has little work ethic and lacks in dedication to the Cenikor mission and goals set forth by the Cenikor leaders. A person must be willing to step outside of their scope of duties when called upon; and accept change internally and externally .Cenikor is growing and changing each day and either you change with it or get left behind, I chose to change.

As much as I enjoy my career and the work I get to do, the area that it has had a negative affect on is my time with my children and grandchildren. It can be a challenge at times to create a balance between the two. My family understands; and they take pride in the woman I am becoming so they realize that at times; sacrifices will have to be made. My family knows the importance of helping someone achieve the gift of a substance free life, so they are willing to share my time, to change the life of another.

Initially, the job was great. I loved working with youth and community partners! The prevention team itself is fantastic and the majority of my coworkers worked very well together. Unfortunately, the Senior Manager and upper management were extremely unsupportive. As time went on, I attended several state-wide trainings and began to see how much the program was lacking compared to what other programs around the state were doing. As team lead, my supervisor (the Senior Manager) would say how she wanted me to take on a leadership role but would micromanage my work and undermined any progress I tried to make. I was blindsided on several occasions when team members would tell me the supervisor told them her and I had spoken about a project or work assignment when we had not. I had no clue what was actually happening due to the lack of communication. When I started asking questions and standing up for myself, I began to be treated poorly. The majority of my requests for assistance, guidance, or clarification were either ignored or redirected to avoid the initial concern I had brought up. Rather than try to manage any conflict or concerns, she would instead get her supervisor (one of the VPs) involved. In a team meeting, the head of HR spoke to everyone as though we were children being scolded by an authoritarian parent. There is a culture of fear from the top down and team members are afraid to speak up or make a mistake for fear of punishment or loss of job. If you do speak up, they will create a hostile work environment for you until you get tired of it and leave for (hopefully) something bigger and better that actually values you. The program has the potential to be something really great, but unfortunately, the middle and upper management make it a terrible work environment. 

I worked here only briefly during the training period. Before starting, I explained that I am currently in school and would need a specific schedule. I was told they could work with my availability, but once I started the schedule was changed completely. I understand that scheduling needs can change, but I expected at least some effort to find a reasonable workaround.

The training process itself was also disappointing. Instead of structured training, we were mostly given scripts and told to learn them. There was very little hands-on guidance or support. During training, a coworker who started around the same time as me was also met with unnecessary stress and frustration because they were not trained correctly to do certain things.

Communication from management was also frustrating. When something was out of place or need better understanding, long emails were sent that felt unnecessarily negative rather than simply explaining the issue clearly and directly.

Another concern was that the person assigned to train me had only been working there for about three months themselves, which made the training feel even less organized. To that she did teach me a bit but it should have been someone more experienced. It shows high turnover when a new person is training a new person. 

From my experience, the workplace culture did not match how it was presented. There is a lot of talk about being a “family,” but at times it felt more like pressure and being talked down to, as if this was the only job opportunity available. Based on my experience, the high turnover mentioned in other reviews is completely accurate.

Great mission, with good leadership and room for advancement. Compensation is not exceptional but adequate and what you would expect from a non-profit organization. Executives and directors are very accessible. They are demanding but fair. I have always been treated professionally and with respect from every superior I have been in contact with. I cant speak for other facilities, but my coworkers are all highly ethical, hard workers who are dedicated to the mission. There is a relatively high turnover rate with the counselor positions due to the 1pm -10pm schedule, the large amounts of paperwork required by DHH and the difficulty for counselors to adapt to the TC model, but the manager and director positions are stable. Insurance and 401k are great, as well as the new employee development program which offers employees who are interested in advancement, extra training opportunities and extra tuition reimbursement. The hours are long and the workload can be thick. You must be a hard worker to succeed at Cenikor, therefore it helps to have a passion for helping those who struggle with addiction. The paid time off is plus also. Cenikor culture and the methods of the therapeutic community can be difficult to learn and adapt to, but if you have a passion for addiction treatment, you keep an open mind to a treatment model that has been working for years and years, and you are a hard worker, then Cenikor will be a great opportunity for you.

What is the best part of working at the company?
I truly enjoyed working at Cenikor-I left because I contracted COVID & seemingly they had no benefits for the nurses- PTO was limited due to carryover restrictions and I was not feeling better for about 2 1/2 months so I didn’t return.. prior to that I enjoyed my time working for the company… 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Flu- season and incidence reports for every client 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Mainly ex addicts- some who were not receptive of employees who had not had an addiction problem- I understood addiction very well because I had lived with a spouse who was addicted and sought treatment to no avail and I saw another side of addiction they didn’t and couldn’t see and that was the part that hurt children that didn’t ask to be born. I saw a selfish part of addiction where one would spend their entire check weekly on drugs and had no concern how bills were paid or if they were paid or if kids ate or had clothes to wear… 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
It was busy and clients never followed the rules- because they in my opinion were selfish and always self seeking. They had little concern for rules just like the addict I married and lived with.. it was always him wanting me to understand his problems, but never tried to understand my problems & troubles pertaining to finances and pending foreclosure or difficulties finding money to buy food or clothes for kids. In my world of living with an addict me & kids were the victims no one cared about or tried to help… we were just collateral damage

As an LCDC who has been with the Foundation for five years now, it’s disheartening to read such negative reviews about a place where recovery happens!

This is an INPATIENT substance use facility.  We work with a population of people whose lives are chaotic, people who are literally knocking on deaths’ door.  Some are ready to make changes, most are not.Many walk right back out, and that’s  okay.. As long as we have availability, we will never turn anyone away. 

We have so many former clients who return to say thanks, so many who continue to thrive after treatment, so many who continue to keep in touch because of the meaningful relationships they’ve built with staff and peers. 

Be mindful when reading reviews. Some may be disgruntled employees who got caught red-handed “canoodling” with the clients. Some may be former clients who have negative opinions because they had to follow a rule. 

 This job is not for everyone, We work with people who are unpredictable, but they’re human beings who have nowhere else to turn. They’re judged by society, told they’ll never amount to anything, and then they start to believe that, and that’s where hopelessness sets in. Someone has to care for these people until they can start caring for themselves again.

As far as the job itself, it’s demanding but also rewarding. Unless you’re passionate about this client population, this probably isn’t the job for you. That’s where we come in.  I am personally proud to work for Cenikor. I love my work family, look forward to seeing familiar faces every day, and I always walk away feeling like I made a difference in someone’s life today. Nothing negative about it. 

Aside from the business issues below, I would never let a family member stay here.  Facilities are run down and dated.  Many concerns are overlooked easy fixes.  Staff would be happy to rally together to work on things however any thinking outside of the box is immediately squashed. 

The environment and the mental health of staff need to be assessed.  Management team members are so discouraged they often mention each day is a challenge to get through. Team members do NOT feel valued.

There is an opportunity for improvement in all areas. This gives them the ability to provide interesting and engaging work to mid-level and senior management and front line staff if red tape were removed, Cenikor is skilled at hiring top talent although unable to keep more than half their staff

The executive team has a stronghold on everything with what appears to be limited business acumen and an inability to use the skill of their leadership team, Their greatest challenge outside of their lack of know-how is they trust no one, The CEO doesn't know what he doesn't know and his support team (CFO and VP of HR) does not push back,  They lack a moral compass. 

There are many good people that work here and deserve so much better.  This is a call for help...from anyone. All their audits haven't done the trick.


Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Loss prevention officer 4 salaries reported	$18.00 per hour
Cook 2 salaries reported	$14.88 per hour
Senior travel coordinator 1 salary reported	$45,546 per year
Program director 1 salary reported	$102,500 per year
Mental health technician 1 salary reported	$45,000 per year

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