what to expect
move in
Once a prospective resident has been screened and is deemed to be appropriate for our program, as well as someone who can be successful in our program, a date and time for move-in is set.
When residents arrive, the available residents and house manager will greet them. A urine specimen is taken to establish a baseline of sobriety, and they will learn about SRN’s policies and procedures. Their initial program, called Shelter from the Storm, will be explained and they will receive the necessary materials.
New residents will also meet any current residents that are home and get a tour of the house. Afterwards, they will set up their profile in the OneStep Recovery application, and we will identify any immediate or short term needs. A 12-step meeting plan will be made with the house manager and other residents, and we will also connect them with any necessary resources and create a schedule for the week. They are then free to settle in and make themselves at home.
“My time at HFM has been amazing. As someone who's been in and out of rehabs for the past eight months and struggled so much with relapse, this house has been a real game changer for me. Addiction is a disease of isolation and being here at the house has taught me to open up to people and share my joys and difficulties.”
~ Molly
A typical day
If the resident is unemployed, they are expected to be up, with their bed made, in time to attend the morning meditation meeting at 9 a.m. in the living area of the house.
Throughout the day they will work on Shelter from the Storm assignments and on increasing their connection to a 12-step recovery network. They will work on building relationships with other residents in the house and will attend a one-on-one meeting with the house manager.
They eat meals, go grocery shopping, attend any appointments they may have set up, attend a daily 12-step meeting, speak to their sponsor, write on step work and attend a nightly meditation or house meeting. (Any errands or meetings outside of the house will be in conjunction with other residents while they are in Shelter from the Storm. After completing this program, they are able to come and go as they please by signing out and being mindful of curfew.)
Throughout the week, residents attend morning and evening meditations, a 12 step meeting, outside individual and/or group counseling sessions as needed, look for employment if they are not employed upon entry, and learn how to practice life skills and spiritual care,as well as have downtime for relaxation or reflection.
“I had hit rock bottom when I came to serenity house. When I arrived, I had been through a rehabilitation program and spent several months at a different sober living. It wasn't until I got to Serenity House that I was able to receive the consistency and structure that I desperately needed. I am putting my life together one piece at a time and I could not have done it without the fellowship and support of the men and women that make Serenity House the best transitional living house in the city.”
~ TJ
Brittany Burgunder