Guest Expectations & Responsibilities

Respect yourself, the TCHI Staff, volunteers, and other guests.
These expectations are in place to maintain order, protect guests, and ensure a safe and secure stay.

Any damage to shelter property or buildings will result in immediate eviction, charges for repairs, and potential charges for destruction of property with law enforcement involvement.
If your name is verbally or visually attached to damage, you will be held accountable.
Stealing from other guests, volunteers, or staff is not permitted.
Verbal attacks toward any guest, TCHI staff, or volunteers will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave.
Physical attacks in any form against any guest, TCHI staff, or volunteer will not be tolerated and will result in being asked to leave the shelter.
Inappropriate physical contact is not tolerated, including any sexual contact between guests.
No males or females are permitted to sleep together unless married; even married couples may not be allowed to sleep together if there is no room.
Guests consent to reasonable searches of their belongings (bags, backpacks, suitcases, closet space, etc.).
If a guest refuses to leave the facility after being asked, they can be charged with defiant trespassing, and law enforcement may be contacted.
Guests must listen to and comply with reasonable requests and assigned chores from on-duty staff when the Director of Operations is not present.
Lesser infractions will result in written warnings; three write-ups are grounds for eviction.
Violence, drug, and alcohol violations will result in immediate dismissal.

All guests are expected to be up by 8:00 am.
All guests should plan to leave the shelter for a couple of hours each day.
All guests are expected to meet with case workers once a week by appointment.
All guests are expected to check mailboxes in the kitchen for incoming mail or information.
Eating and drinking are only permitted in the Kitchen & Dining area; no food or drinks in bedrooms or the TV area.
Food bought by guests must fit into their assigned containers or boxes; no storing food in bedrooms. Anything not fitting into the assigned area will go into the pantry and be shared by everyone.
All guests are required to pick up after themselves, and adult family members must pick up after their families.
All guests are required to wash their laundry on their assigned day.
Beds are to be washed by guests if they want clean linens.
All guests must wash their own dishes and put away any food or dishes they use.
All guests are responsible for daily chores to keep the shelter clean.
All guests must assist in the upkeep/cleaning of the shelter, including preparing and serving meals, cleaning up after meals, daily cleaning (vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms/showers, laundry area), snow removal, and lawn mowing.
All guests must have a shower or bath at least every other day.

No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be admitted to the shelter or allowed on shelter property.
Illegal drugs or alcohol are strictly forbidden within the shelter or on its property.
Random drug screens will be administered, and failure to comply will result in eviction.
Guests who test positive for drugs or alcohol will be given two choices: rehab or leave the program.
Guests are encouraged to keep all belongings locked in their clothes closet.
No clothes on the floor or bed.
Guests are allowed a minimal number of personal belongings in their sleeping quarters, limited by the size of the clothing closet for a few days’ worth of items during intake.
Remaining belongings will be stored in a secure and separate location, accessible only when accompanied by a TCHI volunteer or staff member.
Guests can only have enough personal belongings in their sleeping quarters to fit in the approved storage container.

Weapons (guns, knives, etc.) are not allowed in or near the shelter or shelter property.
If a guest has a weapon, it will be confiscated at intake and returned upon exiting the shelter (guests must ask to retrieve confiscated weapons when leaving).
No keeping weapons in vehicles; if a weapon is found on you or in your vehicle, you will be asked to leave.
No animals are permitted in the shelter or on shelter property, with the exception of service animals that require appropriate documentation.
No visitors are allowed in or on the shelter property.
No sleeping unclothed; appropriate sleeping clothing is required.
All guests must be appropriately clothed while in the shelter (no walking around unclothed or less than fully clothed, as determined by staff or adult supervision).
No smoking inside the shelter; smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas.
All guests must always stay in designated areas.

Lights will be turned out at 11:00 pm and turned on at 6:00 am.
Guests getting up before lights on must remain quiet to allow others to sleep.
Quiet time begins at 9:00 pm, and individuals need to talk quietly and turn down the TV volume.
If a guest has a laptop, iPod, radio, CD player, etc., they must use headphones/earbuds to prevent noise distraction.

Children must always be accompanied and attended to by an adult.
Parents are not to have other guests or staff babysit for them.
Parents are responsible for getting their children to school; TCHI will help, but ultimate responsibility lies with the parents.

All guests residing at the shelter are required to actively search for permanent housing and/or employment (if applicable, such as for those on Social Security or disability).
Upon entry, guests have 30 days to actively search for housing and/or employment with assistance from a Case Coordinator or Case Aide.
After the initial 30 days, if housing/employment hasn’t been found, guests must request an extension with approval from the Case Coordinator or Aide, and their case will be discussed during weekly staff meetings.
Guests showing little motivation to find housing/employment may be asked to leave after 30 days.
If a guest is offered adequate, affordable permanent housing and refuses it, they will be asked to leave the shelter.
Guests showing acceptable motivation to find housing/employment may be allowed to stay longer, with their progress monitored daily by Caseworker staff.
If an unemployed guest is offered reasonable employment (physically/mentally capable, adequate transportation, supportable hours) and refuses it, they will be asked to leave.
If a guest leaves the shelter for the night or weekend to stay with family or friends, they will not be permitted to return, unless they are working and provide proof of employment to staff.
Guests able to work but unemployed are required to attend Career Link & TREHAB Classes or volunteer in and around the building.

If a guest has previously left the shelter permanently (e.g., found housing, evicted for guideline violations) and needs readmission, they must go through the Intake Interview Process as a new guest.
Anyone processed through Intake is a guest and must abide by all rules, even if they were previously a TCHI volunteer (they surrender volunteer rights and privileges).
Any guest in the company of others violating rules will be asked to leave the shelter, regardless of their participation in the violation(s).

Hours of Operation