Marian House I - Basic Program

Marian House I Living AreaThe purpose of our structured environment is to help women develop an inner discipline that will assist them in leading independent, productive lives. Our basic program offers residential services for a period of six to eight months. 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. For the first four months, each Marian House resident focuses on her personal development. She receives intensive counseling and follows a structured program that includes 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 and pursues employment opportunities. The goal of the program is improved self-esteem, healthy relationships and stable employment. The components of the Marian House I program are extensive and pivotal to success.

Counseling and Case Management

Residents of Marian House are provided intense personal rehabilitation counseling from our staff therapists. The staff has been trained to recognize the connection between chemical addiction and victimization. Through therapy, our counselors help residents uncover the source of their emotional distress, heal from the trauma of abuse or assault, overcome associated problems, and develop positive coping skills. Referrals are made to additional services such as health care and psychiatry as needed.

Addiction Treatment services

Marian House provides on site addiction treatment 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 and are expected to participate in the 12-step fellowship programs of AA and/or NA.

Family Reunification

As residents progress throughout the phases of the Marian House program, counselors and staff encourage them to reconnect with family members when appropriate. Many of our women have experienced separation from their children and families. Marian House encourages and facilitates the reunification process through supervised visits and special events.

Educational Services

Residents also benefit from services offered by the full time education coordinator and access to our George McManus Education Center. Each resident receives an educational assessment upon entry during which time areas of academic strength and weakness are identified and education plans are developed. Marian House partners with the Greater Homewood Community Corporation to provide an onsite GED class. Individual tutoring and self-directed study are also provided.

Employment Assistance and Placement

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.) In addition, job search assistance, job development, and employment retention Supports for both the resident and employer are provided.

Life skills

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.

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. Community is developed through shared chores, community meals and celebrations and the sharing of common living spaces.

After Marian House I

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 alumnae support services.

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