WHAT IS FAITH HOUSE?
* A 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation overseen by a Board of Directors.
* A home for pregnant women who need a safe place to live.
* A chance for babies to be born into a nurturing enironment.
WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR FAITH HOUSE?
* There are no long term homes for pregnant women in this area.
* Babies living in unstable housing may lack prenatal care causing helath issues.
* These children grow up to experience academic, financial and social problems.
* Our goal is to break this cycle. We want to give young mothers and their babies a strong, healthy start in life.
* We want women to leave FAith House as self-sufficient, strong mothers.
WHO WILL FAITH HOUSE SERVE?
* Young women ages 18 - 24 who are pregnant with no other children.
* Must not have a recent history of drug use, serious mental illness, or violent crime.
* We will screen for all of these issues.
* Must agree to the rules of the program and to an initial probationary period.
HOW MANY WOMEN WILL LIVE HERE AND HOW LONG WILL THEY STAY?
* We will accept up to 4 women
* They may stay up to a year following the baby's birth.
* Faith House is not a shelter or transient care.
* It is long term housing for women committed to making significant changes in their lives.
HOW MANY STAFF WILL YOU HAVE?
* Two houseparents will live full time in the home. This will be their primary residence.
* Per diem staff will cover 48 hour blocks of time when the houseparents are off duty.
* This model is intended to provide a stable, family environment.
* A part time case manager will provide counseling and assistance working towards individual agreed upon goals.
* There will be 24 hour supervision. There will always be someone authorized and trained on site when the mothers are home.
WILL BOYFRIENDS/BABY'S FATHERS BE ALLOWED TO VISIT?
* Boyfriends will not be allowed to visit the home.
* Should a father wish to see his child, visitation off site will be arranged.
WHAT WILL THE WOMEN BE DOING ON A TYPICAL DAY?
* Women iwll be required to adhere to a daily schedule, curew and house rules.
* This can include employment, education, tutoring, or volunteering outside the home.
* Women will be responsible for chores within the home, as well as care of their baby.
* Lifeskill classes both onsite or outside the home will be offered, including parenting classes, budgeting, nutrition, stress management, etc.
WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON NOISE LEVEL?
* Unless they have employment in the evenings, women will be home and participating in evening activities from dinner time on.
*At 9:00 p.m. women will be expected to be in their rooms and the house will be quiet.
*WE do not anticipate any increase in the noise level of the neighborhood.
WILL THERE BE AN IMPACT ON TRAFFIC AND PARKING?
* Our residents will not be permitted to have cars onsite.
* Due to our houseparent model, we do not expect any appreciable increase in traffic.
* The existing driveways and space in front of the house provide adequate parking.
HOW WILL YOU ADVERTISE? WILL THERE BE A SIGN IN FRONT OF THE HOME?
*Referrals will come through the internet, radio and word of mouth advertising.
*The location will not be disclosed. There will not be a sign outside the home.
*Meetings with applicants for the program will not take place at the home.
For more information, contact:
Linda Arzu, Executive Director
845-372-8052
linda@faithhouse.org
