For Adam Clarke, the Salvation Army Rehabilitation Center in Carpinteria is a place of hope.

Clarke, 25, said he was living on the streets with a drug addiction when he arrived at the center about three months ago after learning about it from a flier he received at a shelter.

"I never really heard of anything like this," Clarke said. He had tried other rehabilitation centers, and none of them worked.

Clarke is one of about 100 men in the Carpinteria rehabilitation program. For six months, they receive drug and alcohol treatment, counseling and job training.

"I was physically ill and couldn't get up in the morning, and even if I could go to work, I couldn't function," said Clarke, who eventually lost his job as an escrow administrative assistant in Simi Valley.

The center "changed my whole mind-set. I couldn't get off the drugs and alcohol when I came here. Now I'm sober."

To help fund the center, the Salvation Army is urging people to donate clothes, furniture, appliances and other items to its thrift stores in Ventura County.

Last year, the Salvation Army closed thrift stores in Santa Paula and Camarillo, causing a funding crunch, said Mark Gisler, director of rehabilitation services.

The high cost of fuel is also affecting the program, Gisler said. He said eight trucks are used to pick up donated items at homes and other locations.

Salvation Army Maj. Steve Owen said the center has helped reunite men with their families.

"Our program gets people out of the street and out of situations where they are intoxicated," Owen said.

The center's treatment is based on the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

It also offers Bible studies, assistance in getting high school diplomas and anger-management counseling.

"We work with them with all kinds of communications," Owen said. "We work in every area we possibly can."

Every man in the program has an eight-hour work assignment, Gisler said. "The structural program teaches them to be better employees."

About 55 percent of the clients come from Ventura County, 35 percent from Santa Barbara County and 10 percent from San Luis Obispo County, Owen said.

People can donate items in good condition clothes of all sizes, couches, chairs, bookshelves, jewelry, appliances and other household items to thrift stores in Ventura, Oxnard, Newbury Park and Simi Valley.

People also can donate vehicles cars, trucks, boats and motorcycles to the Salvation Army, which will help with the paperwork.

To donate, call 800-SA-TRUCK or visit one of the thrift stores.