St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences
Resident Handbook
Journeying the path from homelessness to independence together
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-- Robert Frost
Peace.
It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.
It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your own heart.
~~ Unknown
Dear Resident,
The St. Margaret of Cortona staff compiled this handbook to welcome and guide you through Catholic Charities’ St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences Program.
This handbook is intended as a guide only, and is not intended to be a complete description of the program’s policies and procedures.
This handbook is not a legal contract between St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences and program participants. St. Margaret staff reserve the right to modify policies and procedures not covered in the occupancy agreement or contingent contracts at any time.
If, after reading the Resident Handbook, you have additional questions about this program, please visit the Office or telephone (703) 910-4845.
We look forward to working with you as your journey towards independently securing your basic needs. We are here to help you succeed!
Sincerely,
Amy White, Program Director
Nicolette Davis, Case Manager
Table of Contents
Who is St. Margaret of Cortona? 5
Welcome 6
Program Information 7
Resident Information 8
Resident Rights and Responsibilities 9
Program Rules 10
Case Management Guidelines 12
Conflict Within the Community 13
Violation Notices 14
Grievances 15
Furniture 16
Local and Community Resources 17
Computer Use Policies 19
Available Money 20
Leaving Transitional Housing 21
The Stages of Change 22
Who is St. Margaret?
Despite the fact that St. Margaret of Cortona lived centuries ago, the obstacles she overcame are familiar to many modern women and families.
Margaret struggled as a young single mother. After her child’s father and her own family refused to help her, she found herself homeless and alone. She turned to the Catholic Church for support.
Just as the Friars received and aided St. Margaret of Cortona in a time of need in the thirteenth century, single mothers, single fathers and families may also find refuge with Catholic Charities in 2009 and for years to come.
Patronage: The homeless and single laywomen
Canonized: 1728
Feast day: February 22
Margaret of Cortona was born in Tuscany in 1247. Margaret's mother died when she was seven years old. Her stepmother did not care for her high-spirited step-daughter. Rejected at home, Margaret eloped with a youth and bore him a son out of wedlock.
When her father refused to accept her and her son, homeless and alone she went to the Friars Minor at Cortona, where she received asylum. Margaret earned a living by nursing the sick. Later she gave this up to serve the poor without recompense, subsisting only on alms.
Eventually, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis, and her son also joined the Franciscans a few years later. Margaret advanced rapidly in prayer and was said to be in direct contact with Jesus, as exemplified by frequent ecstacies. Friar Giunta recorded some of the messages she received from God.
In 1286, Margaret was granted a charter allowing her to work for the sick poor on a permanent basis. Others joined with personal help, and some with financial assistance. Margaret formed her group into tertiaries, and later they were given special status as a congregation that was called the Poverelle ("Poor Ones"). She also showed extraordinary love for the mysteries of the Eucharist and the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Welcome to St. Margart of Cortona Transitional Residences!
Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
–Martin Luther King Jr.
Welcome and congratulations on your decision to commit the next year of your life to working hard, handling your money with care, paying off debt and developing a savings account to launch you into a more secure and stable future. St. Margaret’s was created to give you the housing, time and support you need to accomplish your goal of securing housing, clothing, food and other basic needs without dependency on others.
St. Margaret of Cortona Transitional Residences was dedicated by Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde on March 4, 2009. Bishop Loverde led a prayer especially for you before personally blessing each apartment. At the dedication ceremony he said that St. Margaret’s will be a place for you, your family and others to find peace and to realize your own inner worth. In anticipation of your arrival, Bishop Loverde remarked, “We have provided residences so that with God’s help, they can learn not only to cope with life, but to succeed.”
It took many years and many people to develop this program. Committees were formed to learn what services families committed to securing their needs independently required most. After surveying the services already available, Catholic Charities staff and volunteers realized that there was a need for a program that would offer short term support and housing for families exiting local shelters.
Everyone liked the idea of a housing community where mothers, fathers and children could live and feel safe while they worked hard to become independent and self sufficient. Tens of thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese of Arlington donated money through the Bishop’s Rooted in Faith, Forward in Hope campaign to make St. Margaret’s a reality. After the building that will be your short term home was purchased and renovated, even more people came forward to help.
In February of 2009, individuals from churches of all denominations throughout Northern Virginia brought lamps, rugs, pots and pans, towels, dishes, utensils, couches, chairs, beds and dressers to furnish the home you would live in during the time you would dedicate to rebuilding your life. There were so many donors that a traffic jam developed on G Street! A few weeks later, almost a hundred men and women came to make your home cozy. They cleaned the apartments, carried furniture, made beds, stocked cupboards, arranged artwork and hung shower curtains. They even made sure that each doorstep had a welcoming mat. You can still see pictures of them working hard to furnish your transitional home on our office walls. Now it is your turn to build something new and promising: a life of stability and independence.
Transitional housing both stays the same and changes. Different mothers and fathers moving in and moving out bring different things to St. Margaret’s. Who you and your children are will make a difference here. You are an important part of the community while you are here and we hope you will feel free to share your strengths, successes and talents with your neighbors and staff. We know that given a strong commitment to the programming here, you will accomplish your goals and move out of homelessness!
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that they are:
· Must be residing at a shelter or safe house
· Must be a family consisting of one parent with children or both (wed) parents with children.
· Must have proof of bank account or the ability to bank.
· Must undergo a Background Check and be clear of any sexual or violent crimes.
· Must have or be willing to get a General Education Degree (GED).
· Must work a full time job (40 hours per week) and be able to show a proof of employment (i.e. pay stub)
· Must be clear of any substance abuse or in counseling to eliminate it.
Program Information
Transitional housing provides a place where families can work toward a future where they are not dependent on others to provide their most basic needs. Transitional housing has five components:
· The primary purpose of the program is to help you set goals in areas including personal self care, education, training, career advancement, financial management and parenting.
· Transitional housing is a living situation with a supportive positive community of other families with common experiences. While each family will occupy and pay fees for their own apartment, there is a community atmosphere with mutual support and social contact.
· Child care assistance helps mothers find reliable, accessible child care. St. Margaret’s has developed relationships with a number of licensed local providers, some just a few houses away, willing to offer discounted care to residents. Additionally local churches and organizations have provided funds to subsidize some child care costs.
· Transitional housing means safe, decent, affordable housing. The apartments range in size from one bedroom units to a three bedroom apartment. Rents are based on one-third of a person’s income and maximum length of stay is twenty four months. Staff determines which apartment to offer to a family based on vacancies, number of children and their genders and ages.
· Individualized case management plans are developed with your input to help you achieve your goals. You may find that your occupancy agreement or other aspects of your program commitment are designed just for you and vary slightly from those of other participants. Staff will never share the details of your individualized case management plan with other residents. Each family’s path into homelessness is unique. The paths, tasks and challenges out of homelessness will also vary from family to family.
Resident Information
Maintenance Emergencies
During after-hours/weekends/holidays, if there is a situation that cannot wait until regular office hours, such as broken pipes with water pouring out, or other situations where someone’s safety is at risk, etc., call:
If it is a major emergency, CALL 911 and request assistance from the police department, fire department, or ambulance as needed. Make sure you leave a message for the Program Director if you have called for emergency help.
Fire Emergencies
It is important for each resident to be aware of the different fire emergency exits and fire extinguishers available. There is a fire extinguisher located in your apartment for emergency use.
Building Security
Some residents depend on absolute security and it is crucial that all residents respect this by following these rules:
- No resident should host unapproved visitors in their apartments, common areas, the laundry room, the parking lot, St. Margaret’s front, side or back yards. This is a violation of all residents’ safety. All unapproved visitors are trespassing on private property.
- Each resident is responsible for telephoning Prince William County police to report trespassers and other illegal activities. The Prince William County dispatcher can be reached at (703) 792-5111.
Laundry Facilities
Laundry facilities are provided on-site and in some apartments as a courtesy to residents. Catholic Charities does not guarantee that machines will always be serviceable. Residents are responsible for finding other laundry facilities if the on-site machines are out of service. Should machines be out of service Catholic Charities will repair the machines as soon as possible. Residents are responsible for keeping the laundry room clean and free of laundry. Laundry left for over 24 hours will be bagged and stored. After 3 days, laundry will be disposed of.
Residents’ Rights & Responsibilities
Your rights as a Program Participant
- Confidentiality. Your files, the information in them and information gained through conversations with you, are available only to Catholic Charities’ staff, unless you gave written consent for this information to be shared with another person or agency.
- Respect as an individual, from both staff and other residents.
- A sober living environment.
- Safety. This includes physical safety as well as safety to have your own values, life style and beliefs.
- Not to be photographed, video recorded or audio recorded for any reason without your written consent.
- Your own boundaries. You have the rights to say no to any touch you are uncomfortable with. You have the rights to say no to any favors or requests of other residents.
- Staff who support you and maintain professional boundaries.
Your Responsibilities as a Program Participant
- You are expected to treat other residents and staff with respect at all times.
- Your success and continued participation is contingent on setting goals and actively working toward them under the supervision and guidance of your Case Manager.
- Consistently follow the weekly action, spending and saving plans you create with your Case Manager. From the first day you arrive at St. Margaret’s you should be preparing to move towards a life of self sufficiency within 24 months or at an earlier appropriate time.
- Participate in community activities. Monthly community meeting, special meetings called by staff and attendance at all classes as requested by your Case Manager is mandatory.
- Abide by your Participation Contract. This is especially important as violating your Participation Contract can lead to your termination from the program.
- Provide transparent financial information and honest accounts of obstacles and challenges to staff.
- Know and abide by the terms of your occupancy agreement including: pay your occupancy fee on time, be responsible for your own utility bills and maintain a clean and well cared for apartment.
Program Rules
A variety of families with children live together at St. Margaret’s. You and your family represent a unique component of a community with a wide range of different cultures, races, experiences and values. To understand and appreciate each other, and to learn how to work together, there are some community requirements to living at St. Margaret’s.