The Basics
Founded in 1993, Shelly’s House is a female-only sober living facility for criminal justice clients in Salem, Oregon. Their vision is for women to cast off the label of lawbreaker and slowly re-enter society, while learning to live a life in recovery. Shelly’s House is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on community donations and volunteers.
Accommodations and Amenities
Shelly’s House operates a single-family house for 16 women. Residents are paired off in double-occupancy rooms that include twin beds. Furnishings are cozy, designed to make the clients feel comfortable. The house has a live-in house manager. The women combine their resources towards the purchase of groceries. Most of the residents qualify for food stamps. Meals are prepared in the kitchen and often residents dine together.
Shelly’s House provides toiletry bags for all new clients, paper and cleaning supplies, dishes, and utensils. Shelly’s House also replaces furniture and kitchenware as needed, often thanks to donations from the community. Clients also receive funding that is used for the purchase of state ID cards.
Rules and Regulations
Prospective clients must have a history of chemical dependency and be on probation or on parole in Marion County, Oregon. Most of the women have recently been released from prison or jail. The length of stay is usually six months, but Shelly’s House encourages clients to remain until they feel they are are ready and able to withstand the pressures of re-entering society.
The house imposes a strict daily 6 pm curfew. For newcomers, excursions to the grocery store or to 12-step meetings after curfew are permissible, provided that another resident or a mentor, who is typically a volunteer, accompanies them. Clients must log in and log out upon arrival and departure. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted on-site.
Requirements include gaining employment, participating in outpatient treatment, meeting with parole or probation officers on a weekly basis, performing household chores and attending house meetings, as well as off-site 12-step meetings. While clients search for work, they must perform volunteer community service.
The entire staff of 17 employees works on a volunteer basis. Both the house manager and volunteers have backgrounds in drug and alcohol counseling, adult corrections and basic education. The 30-day cost is $300 but Shelly’s House does not decline a client due to inability to pay.
Extras
The women are encouraged to attend classes at a local community college or pursue a vocational training program until they gain employment. The house manager and volunteers also provide coaching and offer vocational guidance. Clients are taught basic life skills.
In Summary
Shelly’s House provides a safe and sober living environment for female criminal justice clients who face homelessness upon their discharge from jail or prison. This is no luxury environment, but it is a great place for women who are looking to reinvent their lives.
Shelly’s House, Inc.
P.O. Box 13763
Salem, OR 97309-1763
Shelly’s House Cost: $300 (30 days). Reach Shelly’s House by phone at (503) 435-8409 or by email. Find Shelly’s House on Facebook, YouTube and Google+
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Photo courtesy of StatesmanJournal
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