Samaritan Program
Norfolk Rescue Mission General Guidelines, Revised 12/13/2018
- All guests must sign in before 5:00 pm each evening and remain on the property until 6:00 am the next morning. Exceptions may be granted for employment or medical issues only if called in prior to 5:00 pm. Guests cannot leave the grounds after 5:00 pm except by the permission of the Staff person on duty.
- All guests are required to attend our Chapel service every evening at 5:30 pm. If your regular work hours conflict with Chapel, you will be required to attend Devotions at 8:00 am.
- All guests are required to help with the daily work and chores around the Mission.
- Guests are to be in their own sleeping rooms every night from 10:00 pm-6:00 am. Guests should not enter others’ sleeping rooms. All lights are to be out, and it is expected that all guests will remain quiet during these hours.
- The doors to the Guest’s Dorms are locked at 7:50 am Sun-Fri (10:00 am Sat.) and unlocked at 4:00 pm. Guests must be out of the dorm buildings during these hours. The Drop-In-Center (DIC) is open weekdays from 8:30 am until 4:00 pm.
- Breakfast is served at 7:00 am, Lunch at 11:45 am (Sunday 1:00 pm) and Supper at 6:00 pm everyday. No Food or Drink is allowed in the Dorm Rooms.
- All guests are required to make their bed neatly every morning and clean up their living area, storing their belongings in the two totes provided. Belongings found in inappropriate places will be discarded. All guests must shower daily. Clean clothing and toiletries are available.
- Bare feet are allowed in the bathrooms only. Footwear must be worn everywhere else.
- There is to be NO tobacco/nicotine use in any Mission building at any time. All tobacco/nicotine use is only permitted in the designated smoking area behind the Faith House (men) and behind the Hope House (ladies). Cigarettes (or any other tobacco/nicotine products) are not to be traded, given, nor sold to any other guest.
- Cell phones are not allowed to be used in the Dining Hall and are to remain on silent everywhere else on campus.
- All medications (prescription and over the counter) and weapons MUST be turned in to a Staff member to be locked up. Meds will be available after all meals and before bed.
- Guests are to avoid conversations and other contact with persons of the opposite sex or with children on Mission property and in our community. Public displays of affection or any sexual (heterosexual or homosexual) conversation or contact are prohibited on our grounds and in our community.
- Guests may not use the office phones without permission from a Staff member. There are phones available for local calls in the Men's Dorm area, the Hope House and the Drop-In-Center.
- All belongings may be searched by Staff at anytime to ensure compliance with our guidelines.
- Guests must first visit with the Staff person on duty prior to checking out of the Mission. Any belongings left behind after three days will be disposed of, or the Mission may find an alternate use for them.
- Guests being asked to leave must take all of their belongings immediately. Anything left behind will be disposed of at the end of the day.
- Personal mail can be forwarded for 30 days upon checking out. (A forwarding address must be provided) No mail will be held.
- The following will be cause for being barred from the Mission. (Note: This is not an exclusive list.)
- Possession (or use of) alcohol, drugs, pornography, or weapons
- Inappropriate conversations or content on cell phones
- Abusive or violent behavior or language toward Staff, guests, or visitors
Samaritan Program Specific Guidelines
On the Samaritan Program, you will have to meet your individual goals (such as housing, transportation, finances, legal issues, etc.) as established by you and the Staff. At Staff discretion, you may be required to have a caseworker to assist you in meeting your goals.
Each weekday morning you will be required to attend: (1) 8:00 am Morning Devotions, (2) 8:30 am Classroom Instruction, (3) 9:30 am Work Assignment, and (4) be accountable to Staff for the day's activities. After lunch at 11:45 am you will be dispatched off campus to work on the particular goals for that day. Unexcused absences from any of the above scheduled appointments may result in dismissal from the program.
Extensions will only be granted to those who are continuing to demonstrate responsibility, a good and cooperative attitude, and are staying compliant with the guidelines. Extensions will be determined on a weekly basis.
If you are denied an extension or check out, then after 30 days, you may return to try again.