Scratch Beginnings_ Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream - Adam W. Shepard [7]
He went on to discuss a variety of issues that were not to be disregarded carelessly by an outsider like myself.
Lesson 1: Don’t use the blankets from the floor; you’ll get scabies. I told him that my sleeping bag had a built-in inflatable pillow, but he was not impressed.
Lesson 2: Keep your valuable belongings with you at all times. Things have a way of disappearing around here. I had already planned on it.
Lesson 3: Some of the guys might bother you or try to hit on you; ignore them and walk away. All righty.
Lesson 4: Don’t go to work for the day-labor agencies; you’ll get screwed. Go to the employment agency on Lockwood and get a real job. Cool.
Before he took me on the tour of my new domain, he had to take a few minutes to respond to a resident who wasn’t feeling well. I took his absence as an opportune moment to read through the Men’s Shelter Rules and Regulations.
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All guests must complete a TB test with the nurse at the shelter (regardless of your last testing date) within five days of coming to the shelter. Failure to do so will result in eviction until the test is completed.
All guests are required to attend orientation with the Intake Coordinator and to work individually with a case manager in order to receive additional case management services.
Guests may not have alcohol or other drugs in their possession in the Shelter or on the Crisis Ministries’ property.
Disrespecting and/or cursing the staff, volunteers, or other guests will not be tolerated. Fighting, stealing, or other violent behavior may result in immediate ban from the Shelter.
No smoking in the Shelter. Smoke breaks are at 9:00 P.M. and 10:30 P.M.
All guests are required to shower on a daily basis.
Guests who choose not to spend the night at the Shelter will not be allowed to eat breakfast, to change clothes, or to be assigned to the Clean-Up Crew.
Chores will be assigned in the A.M. and P.M. by the Shelter staff. All guests are asked to participate in the clean up of the Shelter at some point. Failure to complete a chore will result in the appropriate consequence.
All guests’ bags should be labeled. Crisis Ministries will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.
Chairs are the property of Crisis Ministries and are not to be removed from the building.
Crisis Ministries has a minimal number of lockers for rent for residents who reside on the premises regularly. All locker transactions are held between the hours of 5:00 A.M. and 7:00 A.M. only; the morning assistant will assist you at the front desk. Locker rental fee is $1 per week.
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On the back was a list of the Daily Schedule.
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Wake up is at 5:15 A.M. All cots and mattresses must be picked up and put away by 5:45 A.M. on weekdays. Wake up is delayed an hour on weekends and holidays.
Breakfast is served at 6:00 A.M. on weekdays and 7:00 A.M. on weekends and holidays.
Everyone is expected to leave the building at 7:00 A.M. on weekdays and 8:00 A.M. on weekends and holidays unless a time change is deemed necessary by the staff.
Lunch is served in the Soup Kitchen from 11:30 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 P.M. until 1:30 P.M. on Sunday. Shelter guests will be allowed in the Soup Kitchen for the first thirty minutes of lunch, and then the kitchen is open to the community.
The Clean-Up Crew checks in at 7:00 P.M., and all other guests will enter at 7:30 P.M., at which time dinner will be served. All drinks and food are to be confined to the dining area, and no food is to be stored in bags, lockers, or the dormitory.
Guests checking in after