NAMI
North Coastal Announces A Second
Fairweather Lodge Program
for North San Diego County
Interfaith Community Services is accepting applications for the opening of
the second Fairweather Lodge located in the city of
Residents
lease a private bedroom, prepare their own meals and enjoy a good deal of
autonomy while continuing their medications and case management. Over 70
Fairweather Lodges have operated successfully for over 40 years in other parts
of the County. This program significantly reduces the number and length
of hospitalizations and reduces homelessness while substantially increasing
resident satisfaction. Interfaith's first Fairweather
Lodge located in
We expect
the rooms to fill quickly. The Lodge is located in
First Fairweather Lodge Program for North San Diego County
Escondido,
The
house is a large and modern 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom home with outdoor patios and
a game room. It is located in northeast
This
achievement represents a major accomplishment for mental health housing in our
area”, according to Eric Revere, who introduced this concept to Interfaith
management earlier this year.
Many
recovery experts believe that the combination of supported housing and
supported employment are major contributors to recovery.
For
more detailed information about how successful lodge programs work, click here to view the Colition For Community Living (Fairweather Lodge Programs) website.
Q. What is Fairweather Lodge?
A. Fairweather Lodge is independent, supported living. It is an established best housing practice with over 90 lodges in 16
states. It has two components supported housing and supported employment
and is for clients in recovery from major mental illnesses. The supported housing component consists of a
peer-run home or homes in the community
that are owned by a local non-profit agency. The supported employment component provides
jobs within a business owned by the non-profit
agency. The jobs may be in manufacturing, food processing, assembly, manufacturing,
automobile detailing, food service, catering, retail store operation,
construction cleanup, janitorial, etc.
Duties may range from simple to office and supervisory
work depending on the skill level, health and ability of clients. Employees are paid fair market wages for their work.
Q. How are Fairweather Lodges supported?
A. Residents pay rent to the non-profit agency
that owns the lodge. The non-profit agency runs the businesses that
employ residents. Profits from these businesses are dedicated to buying new
homes and improving resident life.
Q. How are Fairweather Lodges run?
A. Each lodge is run by its residents. Each Lodge establishes a high level of autonomy much as a family would have. A lodge checking account is established and each lodge elects a
treasurer to collect rents and pay them to the non-profit agency. Residents pay a portion of their income to
the lodge for food and other services that they decide
to purchase from their wages. Each lodge elects a house leader to plan
chores, arrange for transportation to and from the workplace, help monitor group
problem solving, etc. Each house elects a med monitor who ensures that
residents sign a daily log attesting that they have taken their prescribed medications.
Q. Is there a resident manager?
A.
There are no resident or live-in managers. Each non-profit employes a housing coordinator who servees as a liaison between the lodge and the non-profit. The housing coordinator visits each lodge once or twice a week to meet with residents, discuss any major issues, provide training, discuss work, etc. Lodge members prepare their own meals, rotate housekeeping and yard chores.
Q. What are the requirements to live in a
Fairweather Lodge?
A. Living in a Fairweather Lodge requires the
ability to pay a reasonable monthly rent, get along with living with other clients in
recovery, and agree to perform work at least on a part time basis in the
non-profit support business. Clients may
have other jobs and keep them when moving
into a lodge. Clients can also own and keep their vehicles at the
residence.
Q. Is treatment provided?
A. No. Residents must have their own treatment and medication providers and must agree to continue those plans to help
maintain their recovery. Residents continue to this treatment and any
participation in dual diagnosis programs or support groups.
Q. Can I be evicted or fired?
A. As with any community housing and work situation,
adherence to house rules and work performance requirements are
critical to the success of living and working together with other people. Resident will be asked to leave the residence or work program for serious,
repeated violations of rules and policies.
Q. How much money can I earn?
A. Wages are fair market and based on the job
description and the type of available work. There is no limit to the amount clients can earn.
Q. Will I lose my benefits if I am employed?
A. The supporting non-profit has benefit
coordinators who will work with residents to ensure continuity of
benefits. Many long-term residents of
the Fairweather Lodge program in other states are
now earning wages that have replaced their SSI and SSDI benefits.
Q. How large is a typical lodge?
A. Typical lodges consist of 5 to 6 people in a
large home in the community. Each person has his or her own room. Men and women usually have separate residences.
Q. Where are lodges located?
A. Initially, lodges will be located within the
local communities and cities of North San Diego County relatively close to shopping
and transportation. As other non-profit groups adopt this model; it
will spread to other parts of the County.
Q. How can I become a resident?
A. You must make your own decision to live
within this model. You must make a commitment to recovery; agree to work for
the non-profit business and have a steady source of income from either
government benefits or other sources for reasonable room rent and food before
joining a lodge. You must be able to administer your own medications and
continue with any therapies, medical treatment or programs essential to your
recovery. Potential residents must also undergo an interview process to
determine suitability for this type of community living. Recommendations from doctors, therapists and
former residence managers will be helpful.
Q. How long can I live at a lodge and work in
the business?
A. There is no time limit to living in a lodge
or working in the business. Many residents in other states have lived in
lodges 10 years or longer. Many long-term residents manage different functions
of the non-profit business, have started their own businesses with other
residents, graduated from college and accepted employment in the community.
Adaptability, behavior and the desire to recover are critical to a
resident’s success in the program.
Q. Can I attend school and live at the lodge?
A. Yes. Residents can easily work part time and attend school as their situation permits.
For
more detailed information about how successful lodge programs work,
click here to view the Colition For Community Living
(Fairweather Lodge Programs) website.
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