Marian House I – Basic Program
Our basic program offers residential services for a period of four to eight months. The purpose of our structured environment is to help women develop an inner discipline that will assist them in leading independent, productive lives. Women who wish to enter the program complete two interviews before being chosen for entry. Each woman who is accepted into Marian House receives a full orientation after her arrival. Each resident enters into a contractual agreement to accept responsibility for contributing to her own personal growth as well as to the common good of the program. Each resident sets counseling goals and creates a plan for achieving these goals. Program compliance is also monitored. For the first four to eight months, each Marian House resident focuses on her personal development. She receives intensive counseling and follows a structured program that includes cooking and cleaning chores, curfews, regular drug testing, and commitment to a savings plan. Encouraged by staff members, she renews positive relationships and begins to establish a new support system. Once she has demonstrated constructive life skills and met initial goals, she is ready for more autonomy.
Each resident learns and practices home management skills such as cooking, cleaning and scheduling daily appointments. Residents must comply with curfews, random drug screenings and a financial agreement that outlines her required participation in a savings program. Marian House also provides recovery support services and each resident is assisted with developing a recovery plan that includes activities within Marian House as well as within the greater community. Marian House provides a weekly, comprehensive addiction group on site for all incoming residents. Participants receive at least twenty-one hours of addiction education which include the disease model of addiction; early recovery; dual diagnosis; trauma symptoms and etiology; relapse prevention and spirituality through this process. Residents are also referred to outpatient drug treatment programs as needed.
Marian House has a full time employment counselor who assists each resident with developing a comprehensive employment plan which includes pre-employment activities (i.e. resume writing, interview training, job search assistance, job development, and employment retention). Residents also benefit from services offered by the full time education coordinator and access to our education center. Each resident receives an educational assessment during which time areas of strengths and weaknesses are identified and education plans are developed. Marian House partners with the Greater Homewood Association to provide an onsite GED class. Individual tutoring and self-directed study are also provided.
During her stay at Marian House, each resident learns the importance of basic life skills. Each resident completes weekly household chores, which are assigned and supervised by our House Manager. Residents also prepare and share an evening meal together each weeknight, which reinforces the element of community. Residents are encouraged to work together to support one another in their recovery efforts. At Marian House residents learn how to trust themselves, staff and one another. They also learn how to develop healthy, supportive relationships.
Upon successful completion of the Marian House I program residents are assisted with referrals to other housing programs. Among these housing options is our Marian House II program, which is a continuum of transitional, support services. Family housing is available through the Marian House Family Program. Families and single women also may continue to receive help from Marian House through our permanent housing programs or through aftercare.
