The Basics
Originally called Hope House II, Martha’s House is a sober living facility for homeless women struggling with substance abuse. Located in the heart for Fort Wayne, Indiana, Martha’s House offers shelter, life skills training and employment assistance for women ages 18 and over to help them maintain sobriety and become functional members of society.
Accommodations and Amenities
Martha’s House is a two-story Victorian-style home with three triple-occupancy bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining area. The house is simple in decor but thoughtfully furnished with twin beds, shared dressers and comfortable sofas and chairs in the common living areas. Kitchen utensils and cookware are supplied along with paper goods and cleaning supplies. There is a washer and dryer in the kitchen with laundry soap included. While cable and wifi are not available, there is a TV with basic channels in the living room.
Because most clients are on Public Assistance, Martha’s House case managers help them navigate the application process for obtaining food stamps and the house manager uses these to purchase enough groceries to feed the women Monday through Friday. Clients are responsible for all meal preparation, and must provide their own food on the weekends.
Rules and Regulations
Curfew is at 9 pm for the first 30 days (including weekends) and 10 pm thereafter. Drug tests are conducted twice a week, facilitated by the house manager. Violence and substance abuse are strictly prohibited. Residents are assigned weekly house chores and are responsible for keeping their personal and common areas tidy.
Clients must attend 12-step meetings for the first 30 days, and must be employed and working with a sponsor by the end of their first month—at which time the meeting attendance requirement is reduced to four times a week. Residents are also expected to sign out any time they leave the house and must include their destination and estimated time of return.
Extras
While Martha’s House is not a treatment center, clients are connected with Celebrate Recovery, AA/NA, Women in Recovery, Journey, family groups and Bible study classes. Additionally, residents may choose to work with Beads of Hope—an organization that teaches women how to make, market and sell unique jewelry. This group holds on-site classes on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Every Friday morning from 9 am to noon volunteers facilitate a career education class which includes computer training. The women also receive on-site one-on-one guidance from an Employment Specialist who teaches interview skills, resume building, how to dress for success and how to follow up after interviewing.
For clients who may need extra help after sober living, they may elect to live at Hanna House—an aftercare facility that offers permanent apartment living.
In Summary
Martha’s House is a good choice for women who have lost everything because of addiction and alcoholism. Its sober living program specifically supports homeless women by providing housing, life skills, socialization and the employment guidance essential for re-entering society drug and alcohol free.
Martha’s House
1129 Garden St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Martha’s House cost: 30% of income plus a $10 monthly phone fee. Reach Martha’s House by phone at (260) 424-3711. Find Martha’s House on Facebook
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Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
