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Chimorel's Transitional Housing Program

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       You may be living in a world where the problems are incredible. You may be homeless. You may be coming out of prison. You may not know where your next meal is coming from and we are going to ask you for $75, then another $350 or $775 as a rent deposit, and perhaps $2500 for our I Got a Job program. The world may have just knocked you for a loop and we will ask you to work 25, 75 hours, 250 or 500+ hours and to be assessed by a psychologist. 
      We work with truly motivated people. If you want it, we will support you, but you have to be willing to reach down inside yourself and do it. This is really tough stuff. We can support, but we can’t and won’t do it for you. Not everybody makes it the first time, but we will always be there when you are ready to try again. 
       And maybe you are just interested in assisting. Welcome to the opportunity. 

      We are not yet ready to re-establish this program fully. At the Chimorel Sanctuary we will be providing housing for people who are assisting us to build our programs, but this is not quite the same. The numbers shown in this discussion are based on 2008 values. You should anticipate that when the program is re-established that they will be higher. The program itself will most likely be revised to fit with the circumstances appropriate for the participants at that time. 

The Program

       When you apply for Chimorel’s Work for Rent / Transitional Housing Program, you are applying for a temporary job first and being allowed to have a place to live second. Everyone who works for Chimorel starts as a volunteer. We work with motivated individuals who want to make things happen. Talk & game playing won’t cut it. 
       You must prove yourself as a volunteer before a position will be offered. When you are hired, taxes will be withheld, worker’s compensation will be established and verifiable documentation of your work will be required. You will be assigned work to do. If you do the work, you can earn a place to live. You must verify the hours worked. Your hours will typically be based on a standard for the task performed, not on the time you spend. If you are terminated because you do not do your job, you will have volunteered your time and you will not have a place to live. 

       If you do your temporary job well, we will work with you to get  a good permanent job. If you remain crime free, you can move through our program, earn enough to have a good place to live and could choose to enter our Rent 2 Own program. We can assist you to own a home, get an education, buy a car, earn a computer and many other possibilities.

The Elements of Your Work 4 Rent Program

     Once again, the elements described below contain specific numbers, based on 2008 values. These numbers will change, based on the values established at the time your program is implemented.

There are ten elements to your Work for Rent Program:

  1. An application fee ($75)
  2. A deposit ($350+)
  3. The first month’s rent ($350/75 hours)
  4. An initial program cost (25 hours / included with rent)
  5. The ongoing program cost (10+ hours / included with rent)
  6. Ongoing monthly rent (minimum of $350 cash/mo plus an agreed amount of work)
  7. Periodic increases in rent to $775+/mo
  8. Additions to your deposit to $775+.
  9. Other living costs like utilities, food, transportation, buying a refrigerator and stove, etc
  10. Ongoing coaching – individual, group, psychologist.

      $75 Application Fee / Becoming a Member:  Depositing $75 at a bank branch is the first step to enter our Work for Rent program. The fee covers your rental application and makes you a cash paid Starter Member with Chimorel Services Inc. This fee is not refundable once you confirm your intent to enter the program. When you are ready we will tell you how to make this deposit. 
       Your membership entitles you to many benefits. One of the first benefits is a limited amount of coaching as you work through the elements of your program. Another benefit of becoming a cash paid Starter member is the ability to earn rent, cash and Incentives by enrolling other members. 
       Part of your application fee may cover the cost of your first drug test. Up to $25 of this fee may be added to your deposit after you fully pay your rent for three months.

       I Don’t Have $75: Yes you do !!! You just don’t know where to get it yet. $75 is approximately 7-10 hours work. We will tell you about agencies who can give you an advance of perhaps $100. You may ask one friend to advance you $75 or 10 friends or family members to advance you $10. When one friend or family member gives you $75, that friend can become a Starter member with Chimorel and we will support him or her to set one goal and start the process to achieve that goal. 
       The important thing here is to decide to make it happen. We will support you. We will not do it for you. Once you learn how to fish, you will always have enough to eat. If we give you a fish, you will be hungry tomorrow.

      The Deposit of $350:   Your initial deposit is at least $350. Your deposit protects Chimorel when you don’t pay your rent, if you damage the property, to pay for your program and similar costs; but we hope you enter our Rent to Own program and use your deposit to buy a home some day. You could also use your deposit to pay part of the costs of college or to buy a car and in many other ways. 
       You will begin to increase your deposit through agreements you make when you do your monthly Cash Plan. You are expected to build your deposit to $775+. Once you exceed $775+, you can use part of your deposit for many other things, like buying a refrigerator and stove or a computer or a car. 

       I Don’t Have $350: Yes you do !!! You just don’t know where to get it yet. $350 is approximately 35 hours work. We will tell you how to ask for $100 from an agency. To find $400, which includes your application fee, you will need to get four agencies to help you. Or you may ask 5-10 friends to advance you $50-100 and do something for each friend. When you ask your friends for at least $100, each friend can become a Starter member with Chimorel and we will support each friend to set one goal and start the process to achieve their goal. 
       Once again, the important thing here is to decide to make it happen. We will support you. We will not do it for you. Once you learn how to fish, you will always have enough to eat. If we give you a fish, you will be hungry tomorrow.  Did you read something similar above? Were you paying attention?

      The First Month’s Rent:  When you want to move in quickly, you will  pay cash, $775 for your first month’s rent, deposit and application fee. You will also work at least 25 hours to establish a positive Incentive balance. 
       If you don’t have $350 for the first month’s rent plus another $350 for your deposit and $75 for your application fee, you will develop an alternative strategy, part of which may include work. Let’s revisit your deposit and application fee. These are expected to be paid in cash. You may work for someone else, who pays us cash as a possible alternative. 
      Even if you pay cash, you still need to work at least 25 hours to prove yourself. 

      Initial Program Cost:  Chimorel will provide you with coaching, as well as, work experience and training. We may drive you to appointments or to pick up food from food pantries. We will support you as you solve many problems and get a good job. All of this is part of our Work for Rent and I Got a Job programs. 
       It is important that you realize that time, gas, etc. are not free. You are expected to pay the costs involved. When you enter the I Got a Job program you agree to volunteer at least 250 hours. This is part of how you pay for your program. Your work covers your rent and part of your program cost. 
       The initial program cost is covered by 25 hours work when you pay $775 or by 75+ hours work. 

      Ongoing Program Cost: Each month after you start your program,  an ongoing program cost is covered by a minimum of ten hours work, which increases to 40 hours work if you don’t pay cash. When you pay part cash and part work, your work hours may vary from 10 to 40 and the cash amount may vary as well. 
       By the time you have invested 250 hours “volunteer” work we expect you to have a good job. If you get a good job before you have invested 250 hours, you can apply your incentive balance to  things like a stove, a car, a computer or a home. 
       If you still don’t have a job by the time you have invested 250 hours, your program cost can increase to 500+ hours.

       Phase In Schedule: Your Phase In Schedule may be different than that shown on the left, depending on where you live and what you agree to. The All Cash amount is what the rent would be if you did not have a work element. The Cash Part is the minimum amount of cash required. The Work Part is the number of hours required based on the cash part you agree to. See the schedule on the left.

       What Happens If I’m Evicted?  Read your lease carefully. If you are evicted, you can loose all credit for work done. It is important to fully pay the cash and work portion of your lease, to remain crime free, then to understand and abide by the other terms of your lease.

      Ongoing Monthly Rent:  The initial ongoing monthly rent is $400+/mo cash and 10 hours work or $250/mo cash plus 40 hours work each month. At $400/mo $50/mo is applied to your program cost. 
       At $250, $200 goes to rent, $50 goes to cover the costs of your taxes and worker’s compensation through our I Got a Job program. Part of the 40 hours work covers the remaining part of your rent and part covers your program cost. 40 hours work/mo means a minimum of ten hours work each week. 
       You can agree to a different ratio of cash and work. Your lease specifies periodic increases in rent which is affected by the ratio of cash and work.

      But I don’t have $250/mo!!! Yes, you do. At the beginning you may have two or more roommates. With four roommates you only need $50/mo cash. Maybe, your roommates pay your cash portion and you work for them keeping the apartment and building clean. Maybe you work for 75+ hours/mo and Chimorel pays the cash portion. Maybe you invite others to become members. One way or another, you will come up with $250/mo. Then, as soon as, possible you will get a job.

       Periodic Increases In Rent: Your lease calls for periodic increases approximating $25/mo every other month during the first year to $550/mo. In future years the rent will increase on an annual basis.

      Additions to Your Deposit: As discussed under deposits, you can also agree to pay a higher amount of rent which is added to your deposit and may be used for things like buying a refrigerator or stove, buying a car or the down payment on a house. See the Phase In Schedule above.

      Living Costs:  Now let’s spend a few minutes on the other costs of being able to make it in the real world. You will want a phone. Gas and electric bills come due every month or so. You need money for food and transportation. You may want cable and internet service. 
       These are real costs. If you can’t pay them, you may try to avoid paying rent and then you will be evicted. You want to plan to pay all the costs you will face before you get over your head and face the reality of no place to live and lots of bills to pay. We will discuss these things as part of your coaching. Be real. 
       Now about cable. Your lease requires you to have our permission to install cable or internet service. You will not get our permission until you are meeting your obligations for two months or longer. Once again, be real. You don’t want to be evicted because you can’t pay your rent and your cable bill.

      Ongoing Counseling:   Part of your I Got a Job program involves ongoing group and individual counseling. You may be required to have an evaluation by a psychologist or other program affiliated with Chimorel. At the time of the original program, we worked with Milestones for Life. When the program is reestablished, anticipate developing a similar relationship. You may be part of a tenant’s council which makes decisions about your rental community. You will work with a Work Experience Coordinator as part of finding and training for a job. These relationships are a vital part of your Work 4 Rent program.

Steps to Enter Chimorel's Work 4 Rent Program

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These are the steps to enter Chimorel’s Work for Rent program:

  1. Deposit $75 to our account at a bank we provide you.  See above.
  2. Complete a Rental Application and if accepted the rest of the rental process.
  3. Call a psychologist to schedule an assessment.
  4. Begin to have productive coaching sessions with Warren or an Action Leader.
  5. Determine the ten elements of your program.
  6. Prove you will work and attend meetings.
  7. Demonstrate you understand and agree to your program elements. Should be obvious.
  8. Determine how and prove you will pay the elements of your program. See Questions to Ask.
  9.  Complete the rental process.

      Complete the Rental Application & Lease:  The second step is to complete a Rental Application. It is important that you fill this application out completely. Don’t leave blanks in the sections where you tell us about yourself, your sources of income, your residential history or your references. Be honest. 
       Tell us about pets and people who might live with you temporarily or permanently. You obviously have some way to eat and pay the other costs of living. If you are not working, use the sources of income section to tell us how you survive. Attach a separate sheet for additional information if needed. 
       Make sure you check everything that is applicable under credit history and other statements. It is important to have or to establish a bank account. If you have a background, history of drug use, spotty work record or other issues in your life, check the additional information box and write an explanation. Having a background or other issues in your life will not stop you from entering our programs. Not telling us about these things could, and can also get you evicted.
      Once you are accepted into the program, you will sign a day to day lease by which you can be locked out and which contains other strong penalties for noncompliance. If we have to evict you and you don’t cooperate realize this lease, does indeed have strong penalties. If you anticipate the possibility of strong penalties, it is better to not enter the program. 

      Schedule a Psychological Assessment:  The third step to enter the program is to call TBD Associates, to get an assessment. If you are actively using drugs, if you are not willing to do a drug test or if you are unwilling to enter and complete a treatment program to remain drug free and resolve other issues in your life, Dr Evans has the right to refuse to assess you. 
       You will complete an assessment and at least two additional evaluation / treatment sessions to become eligible for our Work for Rent Program. Through this program, you can receive a monthly bus pass, job training opportunities and much more. Dropping out of a treatment program can result in termination from our Work for Rent opportunity and loose your place to live.

      Coaching Sessions:   The fourth step to enter Chimorel’s Work for Rent program is to begin to attend coaching sessions. Your Starter membership entitles you to two hours individual coaching or five hours group coaching. Don’t be particularly concerned about the number of hours, but do realize that you are expected to pay for the coaching you receive. Action Leaders and Chimorel staff will spend time supporting you. You want to place a value on the time they spend with you. Make a real effort for this time to be productive.

       Your rent, the 250 volunteer hours, temporary work, temp to hire work, enrolling people as members or in our programs – all these things are ways you “pay” your way. If you fall into the trap of thinking somebody “owes you,” you don’t understand what we mean when we say we support motivated individuals. 
       You are expected to pay for more than the costs of your program. Our Director may expect you to work ten+ hours for every hour he spends supporting you. Others may expect 3-5+ hours work for every hour they spend supporting you. We probably won’t spend a lot of time tracking all this. Nevertheless, you will sign in at meetings; you will complete progress reports as part of coaching sessions; and you will turn in time sheets. Your time sheets can be docked for not doing good work or inappropriate behavior “on the job.” This month’s rent can be increased when you are a No Call No Show and when you waste time in coaching and otherwise arguing, etc. 
       Initially, your coaching will focus on the elements of your program. You will determine your availability. You will choose or be assigned tasks. You will talk about how you will pay the cash amount. You will learn how to do Cash and Work plans. We suggest you make a real effort to work through these elements quickly. 
       As soon as possible, you want to focus on getting and keeping a good job. This should become the focus of most of your coaching until you have gotten a good job. It is to your advantage to use group coaching sessions as often as possible. It reduces the cost associated with coaching and gives you the resources of others as you work through issues, find a job, solve problems and achieve goals.

      Ten Elements:  As considered above,  the ten elements of your Work for Rent program are: (1) application fee, (2) a deposit, (3) the first month’s rent, (4) the initial program cost, (5) an ongoing program cost, (6) an ongoing monthly rent, (7) periodic rent increases, (8) additions to your deposit, (9) other living costs. and (10) ongoing coaching. 
       If you pay $775 before you move in, you will work a minimum of 25 hours and have a 10+ hour work requirement each month. $775 includes a $75 application fee, $350 for rent, $350 for your deposit.  25 hours covers the initial program cost, and 10+ hours covers your monthly program cost. If you can afford $775 to move in, you probably can afford $400/mo cash. 

       If you pay $425, you will work a minimum of 75 hours and have a 40+ hour monthly work requirement. This is a $75 application fee, $350 for your deposit, 75 hours for initial rent and program cost, $250/mo cash rent, 40+ hours ongoing rent and program cost. We will discuss the elements with you in coaching sessions. 
       It is also important that you think through how you will eat, how you will pay your utility bills, where you will get bus tickets and similar costs of living. Some of these things can be covered through Chimorel Incentives. There are food pantries and various programs like MAP that can help. Part of your coaching will work through these things. 
     Questions to Ask:  Are you working? How much do you make? Can you get assistance from an agency? What agencies? Where are they? What do you need to do? 
       Do you get social security? Can you get a PRC? Do you qualify for Section 8? Will you enroll new Chimorel members? Can you do odd jobs? Will your family and friends support you? Will you participate in our I Got a Job program until you have a job? 
       Where will you get at least $425 to cover the application fee and deposit? Where will you get at least $250 the first month, then $300 and up to $550+ eventually to cover the cash part of your rent? How will you pay for your utilities? 
        Do you understand that you can not install cable until you meet all your other obligations for at least two months and if you do we can cut the line and perhaps evict you?

      Prove You Will Work and Attend Meetings:   Before you are accepted into our Work for Rent program you will register for our I Got a Job program and will do a minimum of 25 hours of real work. You will be assigned specific tasks to do at specific times. Your assignments can include group and individual coaching sessions (meetings) where real progress is made. 
       Work and meeting attendance is a test of reality. If you do not pass this test you will not qualify to enter the program and will not earn your temporary position. Remember, you are applying for a temporary job first and a place to live second. If you don’t work, you won’t have a place to stay. 
       If you are working, meeting attendance is not vital. If you are not working and choose to do something else instead of attend meetings at first your rent will increase. Then when you can’t pay your rent, you will be locked out or evicted.

      Complete The Rental Process:  You should read and understand the Work for Rent Program Complete Explanation; your Work For Rent Lease and our Notice, Disclosure, Opportunities. You should ask any questions you have about these documents and be sure you understand the answers.
       If you are renting your own apartment, you must put the utilities for your unit in your name. You must qualify for and sign a temporary employee contract. You need to pay your deposit, first month’s rent and initial program cost in cash or with work. You will sign your lease, inspect your apartment and get your keys. 
     If you will live with roommates, we will discuss the steps involved in making this happen.

      Security and Incident Reports:   The XX property is in a very tough part of Columbus. There is gang activity, drugs, violence and a lot of bad behavior. People involved in this behavior may threaten you, try to sell you drugs and do other things to intimidate you. The best initial response is to quietly find some place else to be without being intimidated. 
       You could be asked or assigned to do security. A security procedure has been written. You will complete a Security Log when you do security. You are to make sure the front and back doors are consistently locked. When there are people in the building who should not be there, do not put yourself in danger. Get assistance or call the police if necessary. When people disturb the peace, damage the property or endanger others, complete an Incident Report. You will learn more about Incident Reports as you get more involved with the program.

Success in the Program

       The key to your success in this program is your willingness to do real work and to remain crime free. It is not enough to say you are willing to work. You must actually do real work, equivalent to at least 10+ hours per week.
      Don’t enter this program if you intend to be involved in prostitution, drug use or sale, theft or similar activities. Your success or failure in this program will have a lot to do with the decisions you make. These decisions will impact your cash and your time. You will need to develop the discipline to pay your rent on time, to get and keep a good job, to remain crime free and to do what you say you will do.

       Part of entering our Rent to Own program starts with registering for our I Got a Job program. You will want to read and understand the explanation for our I Got a Job program and our Explanation of Incentives. When you register you agree to volunteer a minimum of 250 hours. A volunteer can earn incentives which you can eventually use for bus tickets, diapers, a computer, a car, an education, partial rent, a home and many other things. When received these things can be taxable; however, you could also volunteer a lot of time and receive nothing if you do not work through the requirements of the program. If you don’t pay your rent, you can be locked out or evicted.

Locked Out or Evicted

      There is a difference between being “locked out” and being evicted. Being locked out is a day to day thing. Once your Incentive Balance is negative, you can be locked out. When your Incentive Balance is negative, if you do what you need to do today, you have a place to stay tonight. If you don’t do what you agree to do, you can be locked out tonight and try again tomorrow. Being locked out is voluntary. You want to do the right thing and just need to get serious. 

       Being evicted means you leave the program. If you agree to leave cooperatively, the consequences are less. You will have a brief opportunity to find a place to stay and you can take your possessions with you. If you do not agree to leave cooperatively, (1) the locks can be changed; (2) your possessions can be earned by another tenant, sold or otherwise disposed of; (3) your credit record will have an eviction recorded on it; (4) a judgment can be filed for unpaid rent and damages; and (5) the judgment can be collected from any bank account or job you have for the next 15 years. In any case you will loose any Incentive Balance you may have earned and we will not cooperate with you. Being evicted is not voluntary. You leave because you have not taken your program seriously and done what is required.

Money, Warning, Notice

       Money:  The Elements and Steps to Enter the program use a lot of words about money: $350 for a deposit, $75 application fee, $775 for everything if you want to move in quickly, etc. The chances are if you need our transitional housing program you don’t have this kind of money. 
     Now let me say something you may find hard to believe at first. Money is not the problem. We can teach you how to find ways to get the money you need. The problem will be your willingness to do what you need to do to earn what you need and to stop doing things that drain the money you have or could have had.

       Banks want real money to pay our mortgage payments. Utilities want real money to provide phone, gas, electric, etc. It takes real money for gas in a car, bus tickets, food and all the other things it takes to live and get where you want to go. This means your first responsibility is to be willing to do real work and earn real money. 
       There are food pantries. You can get assistance with some utility bills. You can get bus tickets through our Incentive program and through other agencies. You may qualify for a PRC or help from an agency. Eventually, however, getting a real job that pays real money will be the best answer to paying for what you need and want. We strongly suggest you spend 30-50% or more of your time, thinking and energy focused on how to earn real money legitimately. That is approximately 15 to 20 hours each week looking for a job. Less than that probably won’t cut it. More is better.

      Warning: If you are struggling with many issues in your life, we will make a real effort to be supportive. Be careful !!! Do not misunderstand our efforts to support you. If you allow yourself to get involved in criminal activities or let your Incentive Balance go negative, you will be warned, then you can be locked out,  evicted and in some cases arrested. 
       Listen to the warning. It will come in the form of a Notice. Sometimes, you may only get one. Once you leave, you can return, but the standards for re-entry will be significantly higher. 
       Let’s say this in a different way. Sometimes people who are struggling with many issues in their life, believe someone owes them free rent and all kinds of other free things. They are not willing to do real work. When you read the Notice below, you will learn that you can be locked out or evicted if you don’t pay your rent with cash and work. Do not mistake our efforts to support you. Do pay your rent, both the cash and the work part.

Notice

This is an example of a notice similar to one provided to tenants who were not working their plan. 
Four were evicted. Five paid their rent and started working.

     It is important for you to make sure you pay the full $250 and work 40 hours during the remainder of this month, then be prepared to pay $300 as of the first of the month; otherwise, we could decide not to accept your rent next month. 
       If you have received a three day notice, the smartest thing to do is to work out a plan to leave “as of a date certain.” This means that we will agree on a certain time frame for you to leave, you will sign an agreement that is the effect of a court ordered eviction and we will work with you cooperatively. If you do this and physically leave the property, you can re-apply to rent your apartment, go through the screening process and potentially get your apartment back if we believe you will actually pay your rent on time. Your rent at that point would be a minimum of $350 plus 35 hours work /mo. If desirable we would store your furniture for $50/mo until you complete the application and screening process. Or you could just choose to leave and we will cooperate with you.

Work for Rent Lease  
       Your Work for Rent lease is a day to day lease, containing the following provisions: a description of your obligations under the I Got a Job Program, a definition of real work, a verification of income and a monthly plan, a day to day lockout procedure, the phrase you have no right to live in a Unit on any day you have not earned the right to do so, a deposit requirement, a specific list of violations of your lease, a definition of a permanent guest and a prohibition against subletting and much more. If you have not read your lease carefully, it is to your advantage to do so. 
       This lease means that you can be locked out of your apartment at any time after you have been given a three-day notice or at any time you have a negative incentive balance. If you do not have a $550 deposit and are not current in your rent, you have a negative incentive balance.

Being Cooperative 
     If you are cooperative, you can volunteer to be locked out until your Incentive Balance is positive or periodically on a day to day basis as you bring your balance to a positive condition. We may make arrangements for you with a homeless shelter, in some circumstances. Being cooperative means we do not have to put a lock on your door, that you abide by our “lock out” voluntarily and we will continue to work with you. Not being cooperative has all of the consequences of 1-8 below.

Consequences of not being cooperative 
       If you receive a three day notice and you do work out an agreement to leave as of a date certain, here is what will happen:

  1. A lock can be placed on your door at any time.
  2. Your possessions can be set out, sold or disposed of at our discretion.
  3. You will receive no credit for any previous work done.
  4. We can choose to complete the eviction process, in which case, an eviction will be placed on your credit record and a judgment filed.
  5. The judgment filed will be for all back rent, any damage done to your apartment, $350+ in attorney fees and a pro-rata share of any damage done to the building during the time you have been in the building.
  6. The judgment can be collected from any account or employer you have for the next fifteen years.
  7. We will not help you move.
  8. If you threaten or assault anyone, physically, verbally or otherwise, charges will be filed and your eviction could be to a jail cell.

Paper Work | Lease | Snitch

      Paperwork:   There will be a fair amount of paperwork designed to teach you skills you may need on the job. One of the reasons is to enable you to develop the skills needed to do paperwork on the job. Another reason is to help you learn attention to detail, discipline, accountability and organization. 

      Your Lease:  Before you move in, you will sign a Work for Rent lease. This is a day to day lease, which has a number of tough provisions. You can be locked out or evicted, if you don’t work and pay your rent. In addition to the normal lease provisions, there are provisions dealing with our Notice Disclosure & Opportunities, fines, no call no show, standards of performance, phase in rent schedule, use of deposit, tenant council and much more. You want to read these things carefully, ask questions and understand what is involved.

      Snitch vs Holding People Accountable:    There is a significant difference between being a “snitch” and “holding people accountable.” Being a snitch goes behind someone’s back in an effort to hurt them. We do not like snitches and do not expect you to be one. We will take steps to remove snitches from our program. 
       Holding someone accountable, on the other hand, faces someone with their “bad behavior” giving them a chance to change their life. Be careful when you hold someone accountable. It can be dangerous. But if you give them a chance to change, they have an opportunity to live a long, prosperous and happy life. The statistics say that “bad behavior” tends to lead to death, incarceration and other unhappy circumstances. Holding some one accountable may mean telling some one you don’t like what they do, giving them a chance to change and completing an Incident Report when appropriate. 
       We want you to hold us accountable. We will hold you accountable. We expect you to hold others in the program accountable.

Incentives

       Chimorel Incentives start off being like points for a grade in school. They track your volunteer hours. You must turn in time sheets for us to know what time you have spent as a volunteer. If you leave the program because you quit or because you don’t work, you loose your Incentives and have nothing to show for the volunteer time you spend. The key here is don’t quit. Work through the problems and get to the place where your Incentives can cover the cost of your program, as well as, rent and other things.

       After you understand the Work for Rent program, you will have the opportunity to learn more about Incentives. For now make sure you understand that if you stick with the program, the time you spend can turn into taxable earnings which can be exchanged for things you want and need; but if you quit you may spend a lot of time and not have much to show for it. Also understand that you must turn in your time sheets and have your time approved before we even know how much time you spend or what Incentives you are eligible for.

Monthly Plans

       You will start your monthly plan as part of your coaching before you move in. There is a cash plan, a work plan and a plan for education/employment. Your cash plan determines how much cash you will pay for that month and where the cash will come from. Your work plan establishes your availability and assigns you tasks usually more than the number of work hours needed to pay your rent and your ongoing program cost. Your education/employment plan takes clear steps to get the training you need and go on to get the job you want.

       Each monthly plan will help you decide exactly what you need to do to pay your rent. More importantly it begins a planning process that will enable you to pay your way in life, get a good job and perhaps move on to get a good education or buy a home. The planning process means a lot of paperwork or computer time

       As mentioned above, there is a fair amount of paperwork designed to teach you skills you may need on the job. This paperwork is part of the Office Skill training component in the I Got a Job program.

Cash Plan

        Before you enter the program, you will decide how much cash you can pay each month. The higher the cash amount, the better. The minimum amount is $250/mo. We need to know how you will be able to make your cash payment each month. Your lease sets a tentative schedule to increase the amount of your rent over time to $550/mo or some other amount, depending on where you live. In future years your rent will continue to increase in order to assure you have a good place to live. If you enter our Rent to Own program, additional rent payments can be added to your deposit. These additional payments can be available for a future down payment on a house. The increases in your cash amount will be determined in your Cash Plan. The I Got a Job program can help you increase your income to $24,000/yr ($12/hr) or more.

       Initially, you will complete a Cash Plan each month. Your Cash Plan will determine how much cash you will pay for the month, what dates you will make payments, how much each payment will be, and who will pay each payment. We will also ask you where you will get the money to make the payments. Once a consistent pattern is established, you can do a cash plan for several months at a time. As quickly as possible you want to get to the place where you are paying your full rental amount at the beginning of each month. Once this is happening consistently, you no longer need to do a monthly Cash Plan and you can choose to enter our Rent to Own program. By increasing your monthly payment and through many other ways you can begin to develop a down payment to buy a home. Use Contact Us to request an example of a Cash Plan.

Work Plan

        Before you enter the program, you will complete a Work Plan. Your Work Plan will include learning about time sheets, daily or weekly scheduling of nonstandard tasks, monthly scheduling of standard tasks and the possibility of becoming an Action Leader. Everybody in our transitional housing program will work a minimum of ten hours each month. Eventually your work will give you work Incentives which you can use for bus passes, buying furniture, and many other things, including part of your down payment on a home.

       Each month you will complete a Work Plan. Within the building where you live this will be an indication of work you are willing to do in the areas of maintenance, security, office skills and customer service. Within the I Got a Job program these will be tasks you complete as part of the work experience Component of your training. There will be standardized tasks with clear procedures. There may also be non-standardized tasks which take a little planning. If you step up to your responsibilities, you can become an Action Leader. Use Contact Us to request an example of a Work Plan.

Education / Employment Plan

        If you already know clearly what you want to do and have the training you need, you will focus on an employment plan. This means you want to spend 20-30 hours every week job hunting, in addition to approximately ten hours/wk to pay for your rent. Part of your I Got a Job program includes access to Chimorel’s Create a Career, which provides a complete process for finding a job / creating a career.

       If you aren’t sure what you want to do or you need training to be ready to earn $24,000+/yr, you will focus on assessment and training elements. This means you will spend 10-20 hours/wk learning and 10-20 hours per week in the work experience portion of our I Got a Job program.

       As quickly as possible you want establish a plan for your employment and education. You will do this during coaching sessions. Use Contact Us to request examples of a Employment / Education Plans.

Action Leader

        Planning, as well as, many other responsibilities are done with Action Leaders. Action Leaders are not your boss. The primary responsibility of an Action Leader is to support you. An Action Leader should ask, not tell, you to do things. Anyone who is willing to accept real responsibility can step up to become an Action Leader.

       Stepping up to become an Action Leader will enable you to you become a valuable employee someday. Once you are an Action Leader, some people may resent you, especially if you try to play “boss.” Once again, ask, don’t order. Lead by example, not with words. More than one Action Leader has been terminated for overstepping their bounds.

       The Bible talks about servant leaders. Christ washed the feet of his disciples. If you learn to serve the people you work with through your leadership talents, you will not only become a valuable employee, you will genuinely support others and people will want to follow your example.

Opportunities

        We hope you are genuinely ready to change your life. If you are serious and ready to face the challenges ahead, Welcome to the Opportunity. Here are some of the things you can make happen.

       First, you can turn your temporary position into a career. Second, you could move from being homeless, just coming out of prison, or some other difficult situation to eventually owning your own home. Third, we will help you get training, go to college, develop your skills and get ready to work.

       We can help you get a car, buy a computer, buy a stove & refrigerator, get bus tickets, and much, much more. All of these opportunities will happen if you are genuinely willing to work. Remember, everyone who works for Chimorel starts as a volunteer.