Nancy’s House

Because of our individualized, strengths-based approach to care, there is no “typical” week for all residents. A care plan based on the survivor’s individual needs and goals will be developed in collaboration with staff. Restorations’ staff members take a collaborative approach to support and care meaning that together we work to address a survivor’s identified needs and plan of care.

A care plan is holistic and addresses a survivor’s physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs. These needs could include counselling and therapy, life skills development, education, work preparation and readiness, and social activities.

Because care plans are driven by a resident’s needs and goals, residents are expected to have:

• a willingness to work with staff to identify physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual needs

• a willingness to work with staff to identify internal and external supports to address these needs

• a willingness to actively participate in a care plan and keep lines of communication open with support staff to adjust this plan as they evolve

While residents will have an individualized care plan, there are expectations to participate in:

• weekly house meetings with staff and residents

• responsibilities for the upkeep of the home

• group activities (e.g. outings or shared meals)

A second stage housing program provides housing and supports for individuals who have come out of crisis and are looking for supports to transition into independent living. Second stage housing programs provide support, safety planning, referrals to support services, and assistance in accessing permanent housing.

“Second stage” can mean different things to different organizations. Nancy’s House is not staffed 24/7, but there is a heavy staff presence - primarily during weekdays - at the house to support residents.

Because our home is not staffed 24/7, applicants should be at a stage where they:

• are not living in crisis;

• can take responsibility over their own immediate needs (e.g. hygiene, medications, etc.);

• are willing to work with staff to identify and articulate their needs and goals; and

• are willing to actively work towards their care plan.

At Nancy’s House, communal living means that residents will have their own private bedroom while sharing common space like bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, and outdoor space with other residents.

Nancy’s House is not staffed 24/7, but there is a heavy staff presence - primarily during weekdays - at the house to support residents. There are staff offices located in the the lower two levels of the house

As staff, we respect that this is a home for individuals and strive to respect the residents’ space when we come to conduct work. All meetings with residents are conducted in common areas or in staff offices.

At Restorations, one of our organizational values is Holistic Care, and we seek to empower survivors in their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual restoration.

Holistic care is about caring for the whole person and rooted in the understanding that our physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health needs are all part of our overall health.

As residents work with staff to create their care plans, we take into consideration these various needs and strive to provide holistic support to care for the whole person.

Nancy's House strives to maintain a safe space for all who reside in the home. At Nancy's House we require sober living.

To us, “sober living” means:

• the home is an alcohol and drug free living environment for individuals to abstain from alcohol and drugs

• the possession of and/or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, and/or related paraphernalia is prohibited

In the event that a resident has is struggling with living sober or is coming to Nancy’s House with a history of substance use, the resident’s care plan will include strategies and supports to maintain sobriety.

For the safety and respect of all residents, there is a curfew of 10:00 PM Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday. However, we recognize that everyone is unique in their individual needs, so exceptions might be made to accommodate reasons such as work, school, or special occasions.

Residents can live at Nancy’s House for up to two years. During that time, staff will work actively with residents to plan for next steps of permanent housing.

Because we are a second stage, long-term transitional home, we ask that applicants are prepared to commit to at least 6 months at Nancy’s House.

The address of the house is kept confidential for the safety, security, and peace of mind of residents and staff. The house is located in Burlington where residents can enjoy the peacefulness of nature while being in close proximity to public transportation.

There is a program fee that is calculated based on the resident's income. This program fee helps cover the costs of housing, food, and programming. We are happy to discuss this in detail with applicants.