Frequently Asked Questions about the Chelsea House
What is the Chelsea House?
Chelsea House Phase I opened its doors on July 7th, 2007. Since then, we have expanded to our current location which allows for 12-15 women to receive the help they need. Future plans are to house women and children, as well as to provide an Christian-based emergency overnight shelter for women and children only. Women in Chelsea House participate in an intensive, biblically-based program designed to help get their lives in order. Although we are a transitional home, a woman may stay as long as her particular need requires it. Each resident will be assigned a mentor who will offer spiritual encouragement and guidance as she progresses through the program. Each resident will participate in a case plan designed to meet her individual needs and goals. It is the desire that each lady going through the program will leave better than she came and will become self-sufficient and a productive member of society.
Each resident will pay program fees. Program fees will cover costs associated with being in the program except personal expenses such as toiletries, food, bus passes, medications, etc. If resident is unable to pay, she may apply for the scholarship program which will help pay her fees (based on fund availability) until she is able to take on the responsibility of paying her own program fees.
What does the program fee cover?
Program fees cover the curriculum, housing and utilities. Each resident will be required to acquire all social service assistance (food stamps, medical assistance, etc.) that is available to cover her personal needs. She will also be responsible for her own personal care items and personal bills. It is not expected that she will have to purchase items since she will have full access to the resource room which includes community donations of such items. Residents will participate in the house meal program which includes 3 family meals per week. The other meals will be provided by churches, donations and the resident's free-choice. It is expected that Chelsea House residents will be furnished with on-going donations of toiletries, clothing and personal care items from the community.
What is the application process?
Potential residents must first turn in a completed application to GSN. Applications are accepted in person on Tuesdays at 2pm at the regular WoW group meeting or by mail at P.O. Box 10527, Tallahassee, Florida 32302. Once application is completed, an interview by two different staff persons will be conducted. If she meets the criteria and agrees to all of the program requirements, she will be accepted into the program. If there are no current openings, she will be placed on a waiting list. GSN will attempt to contact her, based on her contact info, three times. If there is no response, GSN will proceed to the next person on the list and applicant will be removed from the waiting list and placed in non-responsive file. Application may be reactivated simply by contacting GSN and requesting to be placed back on the waiting list. It is requested that you contact GSN if other arrangements are made and you no longer wish to be on the waiting list.
What are the criteria?
Chelsea House is designed to help meet the needs of women facing homelessness and/or experiencing difficulties. We are not equipped to handle ladies experiencing current addiction issues. These ladies are encouraged to go through local detox program and/or residential rehab before being considered a good candidate for our home. Resident must be mentally and physically stable enough to successfully fulfill our program requirements. Residents must have a desire and be willing and able to participate in a Bible-based program to help better their lives. Women that are in life-threatening danger are not a good candidate for our program due to the limited security provided at our current residential site. We do not discriminate based on race, color or creed. Our home is based on biblical principles; therefore, women should have a desire to actively participate in Bible-based programs which includes, but is not limited to, mandatory church attendance to a Christian-based church of choice, Women of Worth (W.O.W.) groups, daily devotions and personal study. While Phase I is designed for single women, we do (on occasion) allow for single moms with children by networking with private homes in the community while we await the opening of the Good Samaritan Village.
How long does it take to get accepted?
Once your application is received, GSN will attempt to contact applicant within 2-5 business days. If bed is available, applicant will be contacted to interview with two staff persons. Applicants will be encouraged to attend W.O.W. groups and chapels during their wait time. This will enable applicant and staff to "get to know each other". Within a week of interview, applicant will be notified of decision.
Chelsea House Phase I opened its doors on July 7th, 2007. Since then, we have expanded to our current location which allows for 12-15 women to receive the help they need. Future plans are to house women and children, as well as to provide an Christian-based emergency overnight shelter for women and children only. Women in Chelsea House participate in an intensive, biblically-based program designed to help get their lives in order. Although we are a transitional home, a woman may stay as long as her particular need requires it. Each resident will be assigned a mentor who will offer spiritual encouragement and guidance as she progresses through the program. Each resident will participate in a case plan designed to meet her individual needs and goals. It is the desire that each lady going through the program will leave better than she came and will become self-sufficient and a productive member of society.
- Phase I - Chelsea House: Transitional living for Single Women while going through a Christian program. (currently open)
- Phase II - Emergency Overnight Shelter: For women and children only. (projected to open 2009)
- Phase III - Good Samaritan Village: Transitional living for single moms with their children while going through a Christian program. (projected to open 2010)
Each resident will pay program fees. Program fees will cover costs associated with being in the program except personal expenses such as toiletries, food, bus passes, medications, etc. If resident is unable to pay, she may apply for the scholarship program which will help pay her fees (based on fund availability) until she is able to take on the responsibility of paying her own program fees.
- $10 nightly emergency overnight fee applies to overnight guest who sleeps on the couch
- $200 monthly/$50 weekly - Level 1 bunk room 6-7 residents, limited storage space, shared bathroom, reserved bed
- $250 monthly/$65 weekly - Level II semi-private room includes more privacy, shared bedroom/bathroom for 2-3 residents, extended lights out, more storage space, television in room
- $300 monthly/$75 weekly - Level III semi-independent living residents live in attached fully-furnished studio apartment complete with private kitchen, walk-in closet, and private shared bathroom for 2-3 residents. Extra privacy allows residents to be exempt from mandatory lights out, meal plan and house chores are optional
What does the program fee cover?
Program fees cover the curriculum, housing and utilities. Each resident will be required to acquire all social service assistance (food stamps, medical assistance, etc.) that is available to cover her personal needs. She will also be responsible for her own personal care items and personal bills. It is not expected that she will have to purchase items since she will have full access to the resource room which includes community donations of such items. Residents will participate in the house meal program which includes 3 family meals per week. The other meals will be provided by churches, donations and the resident's free-choice. It is expected that Chelsea House residents will be furnished with on-going donations of toiletries, clothing and personal care items from the community.
What is the application process?
Potential residents must first turn in a completed application to GSN. Applications are accepted in person on Tuesdays at 2pm at the regular WoW group meeting or by mail at P.O. Box 10527, Tallahassee, Florida 32302. Once application is completed, an interview by two different staff persons will be conducted. If she meets the criteria and agrees to all of the program requirements, she will be accepted into the program. If there are no current openings, she will be placed on a waiting list. GSN will attempt to contact her, based on her contact info, three times. If there is no response, GSN will proceed to the next person on the list and applicant will be removed from the waiting list and placed in non-responsive file. Application may be reactivated simply by contacting GSN and requesting to be placed back on the waiting list. It is requested that you contact GSN if other arrangements are made and you no longer wish to be on the waiting list.
What are the criteria?
Chelsea House is designed to help meet the needs of women facing homelessness and/or experiencing difficulties. We are not equipped to handle ladies experiencing current addiction issues. These ladies are encouraged to go through local detox program and/or residential rehab before being considered a good candidate for our home. Resident must be mentally and physically stable enough to successfully fulfill our program requirements. Residents must have a desire and be willing and able to participate in a Bible-based program to help better their lives. Women that are in life-threatening danger are not a good candidate for our program due to the limited security provided at our current residential site. We do not discriminate based on race, color or creed. Our home is based on biblical principles; therefore, women should have a desire to actively participate in Bible-based programs which includes, but is not limited to, mandatory church attendance to a Christian-based church of choice, Women of Worth (W.O.W.) groups, daily devotions and personal study. While Phase I is designed for single women, we do (on occasion) allow for single moms with children by networking with private homes in the community while we await the opening of the Good Samaritan Village.
How long does it take to get accepted?
Once your application is received, GSN will attempt to contact applicant within 2-5 business days. If bed is available, applicant will be contacted to interview with two staff persons. Applicants will be encouraged to attend W.O.W. groups and chapels during their wait time. This will enable applicant and staff to "get to know each other". Within a week of interview, applicant will be notified of decision.
