Retreat Home Program Description for Service Providers

Details of Program 

  • Guest family stays with host family for approximately 3 months.

  • During that time, they are actively working with their social worker (housing specialist or case manager) to secure permanent housing.

  • Retreat Home does NOT provide a Social Worker, this person has been previously engaged by the guest family.

  • All referrals into the Retreat Home program are made from a housing agency professional to the Executive Director, Sarah ButlerWills.

  • There is no cost for guest family, no rent, no utilities, etc. They are “guests” in the host family’s home.

  • Beds, bedding, towels, closet, cooking space and food storage are provided by the host family.   

  • Host family is background checked, trained, and the home is prepared in accordance with WA state foster care standards.

  • Guest families see the home before they accept the invitation to stay.

  • All guest families have a volunteer from Retreat Home whose role is to support guest family and host family with their temporary stay.

  • Guidelines are discussed and agreed upon within the first week of the stay (guest family, host family and Retreat Home volunteer) to ensure living together goes smoothly.

  • Benefits: Host families can provide positive “tenant” references, and as no money is exchanged, guest families can save for their first/last and deposit for new housing.

Criteria

  • Case Manager (or Housing Specialist, Social Worker, etc) must be committed to meeting with Guest and Host family once a month for a “check-in” meeting.

  • Guest family MUST be working with a housing specialist (social worker), and frequent updates on progress is shared at monthly meetings.

  • Background check is made by social worker’s agency and is shared with Retreat Home and the host family.

  • We do not accept guests with current (within the last two years) domestic violence or violentcriminal experiences in their history.

  • Host and guest families have the right of refusal of Retreat Home Program.

  • All volunteers, Host families included, participate in education opportunities which we call “Trainings”. Topics inclued Trauma Informed care, Homelessness 101, Boundaries, Spirit Informed care and Motivational Interviewing.

  • All homes are accessed for safety, health and hygenie standards found in the the Foster Care liscencing requirements.