FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of our most commonly asked questions. You can browse down through the questions one at a time. If this page does not answer the question(s) that you have, please feel free to contact us.
Click here to view the Friendship House Contract
Index
2. Is Friendship House Chemical Free?
3. How do you get your funding?
4. Who can live at Friendship House?
5. How long can guests stay at Friendship House?
6. How do you get referrals for Friendship House?
7. How does a person find out about becoming a guest at Friendship House?
8. What is it like living at Friendship House?
9. Are there religious requirements for Friendship House?
10. Does a person have to be a Christian in order to come to Friendship House?
Friendship House is a home for men who are in recovery from substance use disorder, have little or no income and need a safe place to live. Our home extends the love and grace of God in practical ways. Our house manager lives onsite. A community and family living atmosphere is fostered where lasting friendships and support are a result, as men journey to recovery together. Friendship House provides a safe, sober environment in a residential setting. We provide support as our residents seek sobriety, stable employment, long term housing solutions and build a community support network.
2. Friendship House a sober living environment?
Yes, using drugs or alcohol is prohibited and residents must stay sober in order to maintain residency. Smoking is allowed in designated areas.
3. How do you get your funding?
All of our funding comes from private donations. There are hundreds of individuals, as well as businesses, churches and other organizations who believe in what we do and contribute to this work on a regular basis. We also seek grant funding from foundations, trusts and philanthropic organizations that support and encourage the type of work we do. We receive no local, state or federal monies.
4. Who can live at Friendship House?
Men who are in need can stay at Friendship House if:
· They are emotionally stable enough to live in a cooperative, community setting
· They are age 18 or over
· They are seeking recovery from substance use disorder
. They are homeless/in transition or coming from incarceration or treatment
5. How long can guests stay at Friendship House?
The average stay for our residents is between 3 to 6 months. Ultimately, individual circumstances dictate how long a guest stays with us. Per our contract, residents may stay up to a year provided they are following all house rules and working toward attainable goals.
6. How do you get referrals for Friendship House?
Referrals come through hospitals, detox facilities, caseworkers, probation officers, the department of corrections, short term rehab programs, homeless shelters, crisis management facilities, churches, family and friends.
7. How does a person find out about becoming a guest at Friendship House?
By contacting Director Herb Blake (207-767-7403). Each applicant is pre-screened on the phone for basic background information and placed on our waiting list if their are no current openings.
8. What is it like living at Friendship House?
We have 15 residents, 7 single rooms and 4 double rooms, our house manager resides in an apartment in the rear of the house. It is run like a home with everyone having chores, cooking and cleaning responsibilities, and answering the house phone. Residents must engage in recovery through meeting attendance, having a sponsor and working the 12 Steps. Curfew is 10:00 PM M-TH, 11:00 PM Fri.-Sat. Residents are required to attend recovery related meetings during their entire stay at Friendship House. Each resident prepares his own meal other than Monday - Thursday dinner, which is a group meal that is prepared. Weekly house meetings are an opportunity to discuss problems and work through any issues of community living. TV, phones, laptops/electronic devices are allowed. Please refer to the link for our contract at the top of this page for more information.
9. Are there religious requirements for Friendship House?
Guests are required to attend the weekly devotional/house meeting which takes place every Monday at 6:00 PM. The devotional time is approximately 10 minutes immediately followed by the house meeting which lasts approximately 20-25 minutes.
10. Does a person have to be a Christian in order to come to Friendship House?
No. Friendship House is a Christian home that is run on Christian principles. The director and manager are Christians. However, we do not exclude individuals of other faiths, nor do people have to believe what we believe in order to be a resident or remain in residency. We believe that an individual is made up of three parts: physical, emotional/intellectual and spiritual. We offer support, guidance and assistance in all areas and believe that receiving, as well as extending forgiveness is a key part of recovery.
