Agreement Between Client, Program Director, Recovery Advocates & Peer Support
Section 1: Recovery
Must attend 4 AA/NA/DA/CA in-person meetings per week.
One meeting a week must be a women’s meeting in-person with house mates.
Failure to make all required meetings for the week will result in making up additional meetings the following week.
Residents must obtain a sponsor within the first two (2) weeks of moving into the house and be doing 12-step work.
Residents must make at least three (3) sponsor contacts per week. (Contact includes at least 5-minute phone calls and face-to-face meetings)
Staff may contact sponsors at any time to follow-up to make sure contact is being made.
Weekly meeting and Sponsor contact is Monday – Sunday.
Clients must have their weekly meeting requirement sheets filled out at every meeting.
If a resident is attending IOP they must attend their required classes and complete it. A Shepherd’s House representative will call to verify attendance.
If a resident leaves the house ASA (against staff advice) they forfeit the right to pack their own belongings and will have five (5) days to come pick their items up.
After ten (10) days belongings will be donated. You may not show up at any time to pick up belongings, you must call your assigned Shepherd’s House representative to schedule a pick-up time to collect your belongings. (This also includes mail and packages delivered)
If a client leaves the house against the program ASA, the director and staff suggestion, they are not allowed back to the house for 30 days. They are also not allowed to hang out with any residents still residing in the house.
All residents must attend weekly house meeting/process/accountability group Monday evening at 6:30 pm. THERE IS NO EXCEPTION. Deep clean should be completed before the Monday house meeting and all residents are required to complete their deep clean chore.
RENT IS DUE FRIDAY BY NOON IF PAYING WEEKLY, BI-WEEKLY OR MONTHLY.
All residents must be productive during the day: working, volunteering and not laying around the house Monday – Friday, except on your day off from work.
Daily chores are to be done by 10:00 am Monday – Friday. If you are working your chore must be done prior to going to work and initial the chore sheet when completed.
TV must be turned off by 10:00 pm nightly.
Section 3: Weekend Schedule
Daily chores are to be done by 12:00 pm.
TV must be turned off by 12:00 am.
Section 4: Curfew
Weekdays: 10:30 pm.
Weekends: 11:30 pm.
If you are going to be late you must text the house in group chat to let them know. Do not make it a habit of coming home late.
Section 5: House Rules & Expectations
RULES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT THE DISCRETION OF STAFF.
No men are allowed in the house at any time.
No overnight guests.
Residents must be honest and accountable and be willing to hold housemates accountable.
Residents must be responsible for medications and must keep them in a lock box in their room. NO NARCOTIC MEDICATIONS ARE ALLOWED. If you are hospitalized and prescribed pain medication, they must be Tylenol 3 and you will only be allowed to take them for 72 hours in the house. Additionally, you must be working a program of honesty and being up front with your doctor that you are in recovery and live in sober living and ask for alternative medications that can be taken for pain.
Residents must find a job within their first 30 days at the house and will not be allowed to bartend or work in an environment that promotes an unhealthy lifestyle.
$1,000 Rent is to be paid by the first of each month. NO EXCEPTION. This may be broken down into weekly payments of $250 PAID BY FRIDAY AT NOON. PAYMENTS MUST BE PAID BY VENMO – NO MONEY ORDERS ARE ACCEPTED.
Residents on probation or parole with a court system must report to all scheduled meetings with their officer. A Shepherd’s House representative may speak with them at any time to report resident’s progress in the house.
No using drugs, alcohol or taking other resident’s medication. If a relapse occurs resident will increase meetings to seven (7) days a week and daily sponsor contact. If a SECOND relapse occurs resident will be asked to leave the house for seven (7) days and may return by submitting a clean UA. If relapse is severe, a Shepherd’s House representative will make every effort to find a treatment program for you and you may return after completion of the program.
No fighting with housemates at any time. If a physical altercation occurs the police will be called and both residents will be discharged from the house immediately.
Drug tests may be done randomly at any time for any reason.
No stealing.
No smoking cigarettes or vaping in the house. There are to be no cigarettes thrown on the ground at any time. Smoking or vaping is only permitted on the back patio. NO SMOKING OR VAPING IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
Bedrooms must be kept clean, clothes should be put away or hung up and nothing should be left out on the floors.
Closets must be kept clean and organized space is limited.
Bathroom must be kept clean. No personal belongings left out on the countertop at any time.
No eating is allowed in rooms at any time. This is to prevent pest control issues.
Beds must be made daily.
Bedroom trash must be taken our daily.
No dishes are to be left in the kitchen sink at any time. Clean your own dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
Dishwasher must be run nightly.
If the kitchen trash is full, it is the responsibility of all residents to take it out. Do not leave it for someone else to take out.
Trash bins must be taken out Tuesday night to the curb for trash pick-up on Wednesday.
Leftover food must be covered when put in the refrigerator.
Food in boxes must be closed and sealed to prevent pests.
No sleeping on the couches or in common areas.
Residents are not allowed in anyone’s room but their own.
Absolutely no personal items should be left out in common areas at any time.
Residents are responsible for their own transportation.
No burning candles or incense in the house.
No extension cords. If you feel you need a power strip, ask the House Manager.
No gossiping at any time. This will not be tolerated and is not helpful in the recovery process.
The door code/house keys are not to be shared with anyone.
Nothing is to be hung on bedroom walls.
No romantic relationships with other residents are permitted.
All residents must participate in volunteering and charitable events as assigned by Shepherd’s House.
When in common areas you must be fully clothed or wearing a minimum of a bathrobe.
No personal space heaters or heating blankets are allowed.
New residents must wash all clothes before unpacking to prevent bed bugs.
No tampons/feminine products including flushable wipes are to be flushed down the toilet.
No doing laundry after 9:00 pm.
Section 6: Passes
First 30 days – no overnight passes.
After 30 days – two (2) overnight passes per week.
Section 7: A Program of Honesty
In accordance with the AA program, Shepherd’s House encourages 100% honesty and transparency in all actions and situations. This includes lying by omission.
Theft or “borrowing” is not permitted and will not be tolerated. Any resident caught stealing will result in immediate dismissal from the house. This includes (but not limited to) food, personal belongings, toiletries, etc. If you need something please ask as we are all willing to help each other out.
Residents yelling or using aggressive language at other residents will be addressed and not tolerated.
Be mindful, considerate and kind to one another.
When giving fellow residents feedback, guidance or advice ask yourself: Is it kind? Is it loving? Is it necessary?
