| The Lifehouse, Inc. (Initial Application & Waiver) |
| The Lifehouse, Inc. (Brochure) |
A New Life at The Lifehouse...
I would have the elements of a way of living which answered all my problems
BB pg. 13
L - Living
I - In
F - Faith
E - Everyday
H - Hoping
O - Our
U - Unity
S - Serves
E - Everybody
The Lifehouse, Inc. (WV) is a voluntary fellowship that provides affordable housing away from drugs and alcohol. We offer safe, clean and sober housing for all stages of recovery. It encompasses a "self-help" peer awareness approach to recovery for people with alcoholism and addictions. We firmly believe that responsibility indicates growth. Our homes offer an alcohol and drug free environment in which people recovering are able to live together in an organized and structured way.
We believe that people can change. Our homes create an environment that facilitates this change. The Lifehouse allows and encourages a person to grow by nurturing an environment in which positive values and a change of views are pursued. Our environment enables the residents to stop living their lives based on emotions and begin managing their lives based on decisions and principles.
A lot of the residents have different motivations in the beginning (such as; consequences, probation, parole, courts, spouse, children, family, etc.) It is our belief that it must become each individual’s idea along the way. Once a person is honest, willing, and open minded they can build on the foundation of clean living to not only stay clean but have a joyous, happy and free life.
One of the main objectives we focus on at The Lifehouse is to practice social responsibility (responsibility indicates growth). We believe by gaining and maintaining employment, practicing life skills, and working the 12 Steps through local Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Programs while learning a new way of life (sobriety), participants will be better equipped to move forward. Many of residents still have financial obligations (child support, court fees, fines, driver’s license expenses, etc.) that they need to address. We will help each individual practice this new way of life and reach their individual goals.
The Lifehouse's vision is to promote change in our community and we can accomplish this by increasing the number of drug free, productive members of society when our residents move on. We believe our main issue is a SPIRITUAL MALADY...the inner void that allowed addicts to drink and drug.
4 underlying issues of alcoholism and addiction
§ Low self esteem
§ Irresponsibility
§ Manipulation
§ Non-caring attitude
We here at the Lifehouse believe we all share 2 common enemies
§ Addiction
§ Criminal lifestyle
We here at the Lifehouse believe we all share 2 common goals
§ Sobriety
§ Healthy Lifestyle
Our Philosophy
WE have come to accept responsibility for our emotions and behaviors.
All of us have disappointed loved ones.
We have also disappointed ourselves.
We all know what it is like to feel afraid, hurt, helpless, lonely, and ashamed.
Perhaps the greatest agony we must overcome is the realization that we have done this to ourselves.
As a result I need your help; I need your awareness to gain insight that has eluded me in the past.
I need The Lifehouse to illuminate my issues so I can begin to be the healthy person I long to be.
I must stand up for myself with courage, hope, and perseverance.
This is real, this is life: my life, your life, our life.
SOME OF THE METHODS USED AT THE LIFEHOUSE ARE:
Learning Experiences as a Change Mechanism
The purpose of a learning experience is to create an assignment as a result of negative behaviors or attitudes that will address the underlying issue (low- self esteem, irresponsibility, manipulation, non-caring attitude). It is the hope that the assignment will promote an understanding resulting in an opportunity for growth. This growth is absolutely necessary in order for the house member to redefine existing values.
Notice Group/House Meetings
Once a week The Lifehouse holds a notice group/house meeting where we talk about house issues and bring awareness for one another. All valid issues will result in a Learning Experience.
Cardinal Rules:
Cardinal Rules are enforced to protect the viability of the house community. A breach of a Cardinal Rule will result in a Cardinal Result, the most severe consequence which may include removal from the house, TPR (haircut) or an extensive learning experience.
Major Rules:
Major Rules are enforced to facilitate change. A Major Rule violation must result in an awareness brought to the weekly Notice Group/House Meeting.
House Rules:
House Rules are enforced to provide boundaries that promote the support and respect of the house. House Rules define healthy attitudes, behaviors and procedures which represent an appreciation for The Lifehouse Values. A violation of a House Rule always results in a pull-up. (The only acceptable response to a pull-up is: “Thank you, I’ll get on top of that." This violation must be followed up with by taking the corrective action(s) to line up with this statement.)
Additional Policies
"We once heard someone say, "Knowing doesn't keep you sober, doing does." We got the point. Our actions, not strictly our knowledge, will help us stay sober. Recovery is a program of action, of doing something that will contribute to our recovery today. All the knowledge in the world won't help us recover if we don't use what we've learned. Like good intentions, knowledge is only the beginning. Next, we must do - and not do - the things we've learned will help us make progress in recovery.
It's up to us to put the Steps to work in our lives today. We are responsible for eating right and exercising, going to meetings, finding a Higher Power, and praying or meditating to continually strengthen our spiritual lives. Knowing what we must do is a good first step. Putting that knowledge into action, one day at a time, will bring us the joys of real recovery and a new life."
- Hazeldon (Mind, Body & Spirit)
I - In
F - Faith
E - Everyday
H - Hoping
O - Our
U - Unity
S - Serves
E - Everybody
The Lifehouse, Inc. (WV) is a voluntary fellowship that provides affordable housing away from drugs and alcohol. We offer safe, clean and sober housing for all stages of recovery. It encompasses a "self-help" peer awareness approach to recovery for people with alcoholism and addictions. We firmly believe that responsibility indicates growth. Our homes offer an alcohol and drug free environment in which people recovering are able to live together in an organized and structured way.
We believe that people can change. Our homes create an environment that facilitates this change. The Lifehouse allows and encourages a person to grow by nurturing an environment in which positive values and a change of views are pursued. Our environment enables the residents to stop living their lives based on emotions and begin managing their lives based on decisions and principles.
A lot of the residents have different motivations in the beginning (such as; consequences, probation, parole, courts, spouse, children, family, etc.) It is our belief that it must become each individual’s idea along the way. Once a person is honest, willing, and open minded they can build on the foundation of clean living to not only stay clean but have a joyous, happy and free life.
One of the main objectives we focus on at The Lifehouse is to practice social responsibility (responsibility indicates growth). We believe by gaining and maintaining employment, practicing life skills, and working the 12 Steps through local Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Programs while learning a new way of life (sobriety), participants will be better equipped to move forward. Many of residents still have financial obligations (child support, court fees, fines, driver’s license expenses, etc.) that they need to address. We will help each individual practice this new way of life and reach their individual goals.
The Lifehouse's vision is to promote change in our community and we can accomplish this by increasing the number of drug free, productive members of society when our residents move on. We believe our main issue is a SPIRITUAL MALADY...the inner void that allowed addicts to drink and drug.
4 underlying issues of alcoholism and addiction
§ Low self esteem
§ Irresponsibility
§ Manipulation
§ Non-caring attitude
We here at the Lifehouse believe we all share 2 common enemies
§ Addiction
§ Criminal lifestyle
We here at the Lifehouse believe we all share 2 common goals
§ Sobriety
§ Healthy Lifestyle
Our Philosophy
WE have come to accept responsibility for our emotions and behaviors.
All of us have disappointed loved ones.
We have also disappointed ourselves.
We all know what it is like to feel afraid, hurt, helpless, lonely, and ashamed.
Perhaps the greatest agony we must overcome is the realization that we have done this to ourselves.
As a result I need your help; I need your awareness to gain insight that has eluded me in the past.
I need The Lifehouse to illuminate my issues so I can begin to be the healthy person I long to be.
I must stand up for myself with courage, hope, and perseverance.
This is real, this is life: my life, your life, our life.
SOME OF THE METHODS USED AT THE LIFEHOUSE ARE:
Learning Experiences as a Change Mechanism
The purpose of a learning experience is to create an assignment as a result of negative behaviors or attitudes that will address the underlying issue (low- self esteem, irresponsibility, manipulation, non-caring attitude). It is the hope that the assignment will promote an understanding resulting in an opportunity for growth. This growth is absolutely necessary in order for the house member to redefine existing values.
Notice Group/House Meetings
Once a week The Lifehouse holds a notice group/house meeting where we talk about house issues and bring awareness for one another. All valid issues will result in a Learning Experience.
Cardinal Rules:
Cardinal Rules are enforced to protect the viability of the house community. A breach of a Cardinal Rule will result in a Cardinal Result, the most severe consequence which may include removal from the house, TPR (haircut) or an extensive learning experience.
- No drinking or using drugs at anytime while within or outside of the home.
- No violent threats or intimidation.
- No violation of any laws. (federal, state, county or municipalities) **This includes driving without driver’s license or proper insurance, tags, etc.**
- No refusing to participate in any housing programming offered by or in affiliation with The Lifehouse.
Major Rules:
Major Rules are enforced to facilitate change. A Major Rule violation must result in an awareness brought to the weekly Notice Group/House Meeting.
- All participants must be actively working a local 12 step program.
- All participants must acquire and use a sponsor (within first 15 days).
- All participants must attend 90 meetings in 90 days unless they have achieved 90 days clean (must be approved by Executive Director). Participants that are required to attend 90 meetings in 90 days may attend multiple meetings with prior approval.
- No Manipulating.
- No Irresponsibility.
- No Non-Caring Attitudes.
House Rules:
House Rules are enforced to provide boundaries that promote the support and respect of the house. House Rules define healthy attitudes, behaviors and procedures which represent an appreciation for The Lifehouse Values. A violation of a House Rule always results in a pull-up. (The only acceptable response to a pull-up is: “Thank you, I’ll get on top of that." This violation must be followed up with by taking the corrective action(s) to line up with this statement.)
- Do your dishes promptly after using them.
- Do not leave items in the shower or bathroom.
- Always keep the TV volume at an acceptable level.
- Do not slam doors or items.
- Do not leave items in common areas of the home.
- Do not leave items in washer or dryer.
Additional Policies
- Curfew - 1-30 days is 9:00pm, after 30 days is 11:00pm
- Overnight passes - After 90 days residents may receive 2 per calendar month (not more than 1 night) ** To receive an overnight pass, residents must be current on their Program Fees and give advance notice to the Executive Director.**
- Attendance at weekly Group Notice/House Meeting on every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm is mandatory
- All residents must be up and out of bed with their daily chore completed (and bed made) by 9:30 am Monday-Friday and by noon Saturday-Sunday **Residents are permitted to complete their daily chore by 9am Mon-Sat. when actively seeking employment status**
- No Profanity
- No Negative Contracting (two or more in agreement to overlook each others negative behaviors)
- No cellular phone use on the first floor (this includes texting and web surfing)
"We once heard someone say, "Knowing doesn't keep you sober, doing does." We got the point. Our actions, not strictly our knowledge, will help us stay sober. Recovery is a program of action, of doing something that will contribute to our recovery today. All the knowledge in the world won't help us recover if we don't use what we've learned. Like good intentions, knowledge is only the beginning. Next, we must do - and not do - the things we've learned will help us make progress in recovery.
It's up to us to put the Steps to work in our lives today. We are responsible for eating right and exercising, going to meetings, finding a Higher Power, and praying or meditating to continually strengthen our spiritual lives. Knowing what we must do is a good first step. Putting that knowledge into action, one day at a time, will bring us the joys of real recovery and a new life."
- Hazeldon (Mind, Body & Spirit)
