Onesimus House Rules and Occupancy Agreement (vsn. June 2008)

We provide a structured environment with guidance by Christian Biblical standards. You must have the desire and willingness to be here and see your life transformed.

Alternate Provider Option - Every TANF-eligible person is hereby given a notice that this a faith-based service. You have an option to receive service through an alternate provider.

Daily Schedule

‘Lights out’ time is 10 p.m. and wake up at 6.00 a.m. (unless on a graveyard shift) and all visitors shall leave.
Curfew time is 7 p.m. unless otherwise specifically stated by Manager.
Individual (bible and prayer) quiet time from 6.30-7.30 a.m. Group Bible study is at 8-8.30 a.m.
Residents are encouraged to attend church on Sunday and small group Bible study on Wednesday at the church.
Residents are encouraged to eat dinner together and participate in evening Family Time at 7 p.m.

We discourage loitering in the house all day. Residents will be expected to leave the house during the day to search for work, volunteer where possible, or educate himself or herself at the library or elsewhere.

Rent

Residents are expected to work and pay rent of $45/week. (includes utilities except phone). Rent is due on Sundays and is late on Tuesdays. Rent is paid at Cornerstone Community Church 1290 Grande Ave. The first two weeks rent is free if the resident is unemployed.

Your tenancy is subject to meeting the conditions of the House Rules and is on a week-to-week basis. If you fail to pay rent or if you violate rules, you will be asked to leave immediately.

Employment & Education

Residents are expected to search for work and hold down regular employment. Residents are expected to put in 40 hours of Community Service work upon intake.
We will make sure there are rides to the Work Force in Monte Vista. We will see that residents who obtain a job are driven to work (if needed) for the first paycheck period.

Unless exempted by Manager, Residents shall participate in:

The Job Corp - until other employment is found.
Vocational Training classes offered through CCS.
Education and Life Skills classes offered through CCS.

House Rules

• No drinking of alcohol in the house nor should you drink elsewhere. If you return to the house after drinking you will be subject to being locked out of the house for the night. DON’T RISK IT.
• All prescription drugs must be registered and under supervision. Any violations of drug or substance abuse will be dealt with in a biblical manner but will not be tolerated. Management will cooperate with all Police investigations and criminal prosecutions for illegal drug use and possession. Even against those who aren’t residents. DON’T RISK IT.
• There will be no smoking in the house and we discourage it outside the house. Your goal is to rid yourself of addictions and treat your body as a sacrifice holy and pleasing to the Lord.
• Residents will participate in a chores list for cleaning and cooking. It is expected that the home be kept neat and sanitary. Clothes shall be put away and hung up.
• Residents shall obey all laws and meet all court and probation requirements. Residents shall attend all appointments on-time and make required fines payments on-time or to call the proper authority to reschedule. Residents shall perform all community service as required. Upon approval, residents may perform court-ordered community service through Cornerstone Community Church and the Onesimus House.
• Residents are expected to share a room with one other resident as needed.
• Each resident is expected to put the needs of the other residents above their own needs. Residents are encouraged to share without expectation of return.
• There shall be no overnight stays by non-residents and spouses may only stay upon written approval by Onesimus House. There shall be no sexual activity in the Onesimus House. You are to present the members of your body as holy and pleasing to the Lord.
• Residents are encouraged say ‘grace’ before meals.

Finances

• Each resident is expected to tithe to their church and put 10% of their income into a savings account.
• Each resident is encouraged and expected to learn financial responsibility. Each resident will create a budget and live by the budget. Financial skills education is available from the Onesimus House.
• Upon decision by Manager, Resident shall submit all paychecks and income to the Onesimus House. Funds will be kept in savings for the Resident and will be disbursed according to court orders and financial management plan.
• Theft of personal belongings and money shall not be tolerated.
• Residents are not allowed to lend money to other residents.
• Residents are not allowed to borrow money without written permission from Onesimus House directors.
• Any resident who does not have food shall first talk to Onesimus House for provision.

Media

We purposely restrict television in the house. We reserve the right to remove the television at our discretion. Christian entertainment and Christian teaching videos are encouraged and available. We encourage structured library time. It is open M-Th 1-5 pm  Fri 10-4

We provide books and bibles to encourage reading. We can have a newspaper delivered for news and job listings. We can provide books that teach skills. There shall be no pornographic or sexually suggestive magazines, books, or movies in the house. Only G, PG, and preapproved PG-13 rated movies shall be viewed unless otherwise approved by Onesimus House.

Resources

We will have a computer available to you at the house and local telephone and internet is available at the church.
We will post numbers to various social service agencies and job listings.
We will offer daily bible studies and substance abuse counseling.
Parenting skills and children discipline classes are available through Family Life Center of Del Norte.
Worker worthiness classes and employment assistance searches are available through Onesimus House and CCC.
Job Corp, vocational training and Life skills training are available through Onesimus House and CCC.

Oversight and Supervision

The elders and church volunteers of Cornerstone Community Church are responsible for the House and will serve on a scheduled or drop-in basis. They are available by phone for resident needs.

The police department is aware of the home and knows how to contact the elders.

Church  719-657-9107
Pastor Mark 657-9129, 3330
Pastor Ron 657-3221
Steve Carpenter, Manager 849-8965
Deacon Marshall Boyd 849-8640

Postal Mail can be addressed to [your name] c/o Onesimus House,14415 W. Hwy 160 Del Norte, CO. 81132
Email can be sent to mark@cornerstonedelnorte.org if you do not know how to use email. Phone messages can be left for you at 719-657-9107 (church phone).

Violations of Rules and Policies

It is our desire to walk alongside you during your recovery. We desire to help bear your burdens. We desire to refrain from kicking you out immediately upon failing to meet a rule. You are expected to demonstrate an effort and interest in being restored. You are expected to put out effort in performing community service, vocational training, seeking and maintaining employment.

Manager will use a ‘write-up’ system for violations of the above rules and policies as well as failing to participate in recovery and restoration programs.

Resident is allowed 3 write-ups in 90 days. Upon receiving 3 write-ups within 90 days, the Resident will be placed on probationary status by the Onesimus House Board. Resident shall be required to meet with the board within 24 hours after 3rd write-up. Terms of probation will be assigned during that meeting.

Upon successful completion of probation, Resident shall be restored to original status and be given a 3 write-up in 90 days allowance.

Upon going 60 days without any write-ups, Resident shall be restored to original status and be given a 3 write-up in 90 days allowance.

Upon violation of probationary status, Resident shall suffer the consequence of the agreed upon probation.

If you go to jail while a Resident, your bed will be held for up to 72 hours. After which, it may be given to someone else upon Managers discretion. You will then be subject to Re-Entry Policy.

Upon request to vacate for violation of probation agreement, Resident shall be given up to 72 hours to vacate.
Specific violations can result in immediate expulsion from the program and residency.

Any infraction that causes the Police or Sheriff to arrest or ticket the Resident upon the premises,
Any infraction that the Manager determines to cause clear and imminent danger to the other Residents,

Re-entry Policy

Any expelled Resident seeking to re-enter the house and program shall first meet with the O.House Board. Conditions and terms shall be agreed upon. A re-entry agreement shall be signed by Resident and O.House Board.



By taking up residency I hereby submit myself to the authority of Onesimus House.

Signature: _______________________________________  Date: ____________________

Church Signature: ________________________________  Date: ____________________