How to Refer Someone for Shelter
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- Call us at (740) 594-3333 or 1-800-736-3602 (outside of Athens only, please)
- After you have called, have the person needing shelter call us. We will give them a telephone interview which will last 15-20 minutes. All referrals for shelter must come by telephone. For safety reasons, we do not accept anyone for shelter coming to our door without calling first.
- If you or your agency is working with an incoming resident, please ask them to sign a release of information to give us permission to exchange information about them. This will assist us in coordinating services.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Good Works' Timothy House is open 24 hours except on occasional weekend afternoons when we may close for a few hours.
If you get our answering machine when you call on a weekday, we're probably in a staff meeting, or having a meal. Please leave a message with your name and phone number or try again in an hour or so.
New residents may come in after 5 p.m. each day, or anytime the house is open on weekends.
Evening curfew is 10 p.m. for adults, 8 p.m. for children and adults with children under eighteen.
WHO CAN STAY AT THE TIMOTHY HOUSE?
Travellers, those who are passing through and are not from Southeastern Ohio, are usually granted only one or two nights of shelter.
Residents of Southeastern Ohio, those with roots or reasons to be here, are provided shelter on a week by week basis up to 30 days. After 30 days, residents may meet with the staff to request longer stay. If they are granted further shelter, they sign a contract detailing their plan and commitment to work on the issues in their lives which led them into homelessness.
No one under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol will be granted shelter.
Some people who have stayed with us before are not permitted back on an emergency basis. In these situations, something has happened during a previous stay in which they endangered themselves or others. They must make an appointment to meet with the staff before we will allow them to return. In some severe cases, we may require an advocate to accompany them.
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE TIMOTHY HOUSE OPERATES
ADDRESS: Our published address is Good Works, Inc., PO Box 4, Athens, OH 45701-0004. Residents may receive mail at our street address with permission from the staff.
CHORES: All residents are expected to help in the preparation and clean-up of meals, and to participate in daily housekeeping chores.
CURFEW: A resident who does not return by 10 p.m. curfew and doesn’t call to make arrangements risks losing their bed space, but may call back the following night after 5 p.m. to see if space is available for them to return.
ENTERTAINMENT: Timothy House has toys, games, puzzles and a small library. We have many G-rated and classic movies, and PBS on the television. Residents may listen to the radio or music if they wear headphones.
FOOD: We will provide food to all residents until they can locate or buy food for themselves from area food pantries or food stamps.
GETTING CLOTHES: Residents in need of clothing will be referred to the New to You Shoppe, Reuse Industries or Good Will.
KEEPING CLEAN: Residents are required to shower nightly and to clean up after themselves in the house. Linens, towels and toiletries are provided.
LAUNDRY: Until a resident has sufficient income to use a laundromat, the staff will allow usage of the house washer and dryer with permission. In most circumstances, the house washer and dryer is used only to clean house laundry.
LUGGAGE: Since storage space is limited, residents may only bring one or two suitcases of personal belongings.
MEDICATION: For the safety of the children, we lock up residents' medication in the back office.
MEETINGS: Residents are required to attend two meetings per week, House Meeting and Work Night. Exceptions, particularly for employment, can be arranged in advance.
RELIGION: Although Good Works Timothy House is a Christian ministry, we have no required religious meetings and do not require anyone to pray at any time.
TELEPHONE: Residents may receive or make calls on the upstairs phone. If they need to make a long distance call, staff will provide a phone card if one is available.
SAVING INCOME: Residents are required to save 75% of their income toward housing.
SLEEPING TOGETHER: Sometimes, due to limits on space, married couples will be asked to sleep in separate rooms. Unmarried couples will always be placed in separate rooms. We make this decision based on whether they have a marriage certificate or not.
SMOKING: To insure the safety and comfort of all the residents, smoking is only allowed outside on the porch.
STAYING IN: Normally the shelter is closed for residents without children from 10 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. However, exceptions are made to allow residents to stay in when they are sick, have worked third shift or when the weather is severe.
VISITORS: Residents may have visitors as long as they have permission from the staff. Visitors are not permitted to go upstairs, and must leave by 10 p.m.
WEAPONS: We do not allow residents to carry weapons of any kind. We reserve the right to decide whether a particular item is a weapon or not.
SOME QUESTIONS WE ASK PROSPECTIVE RESIDENTS
Why do you need shelter?
How long have you been homeless?
Have you ever stayed with us before? If so, when? What has happened since you left us?
Do you have your own transportation?
Will children be needing shelter?
Are you feeling ill? If so, what is the problem? Are you taking any medication?
Who can we call in case of emergency?
Do you have any ID?
FOUR FACTORS INFLUENCING A RESIDENT'S LENGTH OF STAY
- Are they being honest with us and with themselves?
- What effort are they putting into finding work, housing and addressing other issues that have contributed to their homelessness?
- Do they respect our home rules?
- What is their unique situation?