“Mercy Ministries Australia
Resident Handbook
Welcome! The staff of Mercy Ministries Australia would like to extend a warm welcome and hope that your time with us will be pleasant, educational, and comfortable.
We want to make this crucial time in your life a learning and growing experience. Please feel free to inquire about information contained in this booklet, or any problem or difficulty you are dealing with. We will be very willing to help you in any way we can.
Again, welcome to Mercy Ministries of Australia! Our prayer for you is that you will be totally changed by the power of God and that you will discover God’s specific direction and purpose for your life!
The purpose of this handbook is to outline different components of the program and the appropriate procedures. These procedures have been put in place to ensure the program runs smoothly and that you get the most out of your time here.
Guidance & rules
Now that you are here, it is necessary to become acquainted with the rules and guidelines of the program. This booklet outlines these procedures, and every effort should be made to abide by them.
Group living and Responsibilities
As a resident of Mercy Ministries, there are agreements by which each resident must live in order for there to be harmony. You will be given tasks and assignments that you are responsible for carrying out. This booklet is designed to help you to understand our expectations, and likewise, what you can expect from us.
Group living is not always an easy situation in which to live. However, it can be made fun and enjoyable when everyone assumes responsibilities and abides by the rules.
Please do not adjust any house settings eg. Temperature control, pool thermostat, kitchen appliances. For any household item requiring adjustment please speak to the staff on duty.
Everyone is expected to take care of their clothes and personal belongings and to respect the belongings of others. Please ensure you pick up after yourself and dispose of any rubbish in the appropriate places.
Please remember to turn off lights when you leave an area for a long period of time.
Glasses are to stay in the kitchen and dining room and are not allowed in bedrooms or bathrooms.
You are not to drive or operate any vehicle, machine or power tool without permission. You must ask permission before turning on the television.
Activities
Everyone participates in all activities unless given special permission to be excused by the staff member in charge.
Residents stay together as a group under supervision of a staff member during activities.
Weekly shopping trips are taken where girls are given the opportunity to purchase personal items and have lunch. Girls are in groups of 2-3 whilst at the shops.
Appointments
You are to notify the staff in WRITING if you need a doctor, dental, or other type of appointment. Arrangements will be made in accordance with the availability of staff, unless there is an emergency.
Bathroom Courtesy
Please show respect to the others who share the bathroom.
There is an assigned shower schedule (displayed in the bathroom) with a twenty minute time limit for each resident, please be ready when it is your turn.
You may use your razor once per week for shaving legs and underarms. You need to ask a staff member for your razor. Your razor must be signed out and in straight before and after your shower. lf you fail to do this you will lose razor privileges for the next week.
When entering and exiting the shower, please be properly clothed – no nudity.
Please rinse out the shower and sink after each use. Please report any plumbing problems to the staff on duty.
Put away all your personal belongings in their designated place. Nothing should be on the top of the vanity unit, including hairdryers etc.
Sanitary napkins and tampons are to be placed in the sanitary disposal unit. lf no sanitary unit, please wrap tampon or napkin in toilet paper and place in the bin. Under no circumstances are tampons or napkins to be flushed down the toilet.
Remember: Flush the toilet and wash your hands before leaving the bathroom.
Bedrooms
Beds are to be made before breakfast every day. Sheets must be washed once a week at the time designated. Nothing is to be left or stored under the beds.
Wardrobes and drawer items are to be kept tidy. This is importont as you will be sharing space with another resident.
Rooms are to be kept neat at all times. Room checks may be made throughout the day and privileges may be withdrawn for unclean or untidy rooms. Bedroom doors are only to be shut when changing.
Please leave them open at all other times.
Please remember to turn off lights when you leave your bedroom.
Under no circumstances are you to be in another resident’s bedroom.
Bedtime
On weekdays you are to be in your room and in your bed at 9:30pm for quiet time. No talking is to be done during quiet time. There is to be NO sleeping during the day except with permission by staff on duty.
Residents who are pregnant may take a nap from 1pm – 2pm.
Blessings Cupboard
We have a blessings cupboard consisting of used clothing given to us that is in excellent condition. The closet is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30pm to 9:00pm. You may NOT go through the cupboard on your own, a staff member must be present. Anything that you receive in non-maternity clothes is yours to keep. For these clothes, the staff member on duty will add these items to your personal belongings register.
Borrowing
There is to be NO borrowing or lending of ANYTHING at all. If you do not have sufficient funds, you need to notify staff in writing IN ADVANCE if you need personal items of any kind (including clothing). If you would like to bless another resident with an item, you must clear this through the staff first.
Check-ln
When you arrive, all of your belongings will be checked in by a staff member, and recorded for the protection of your belongings.
Check-Out
When leaving the program, you will be checked out by a staff member on duty to ensure that you have all your belongings.
Church/Meetings
You are to be on time and take your Bible and notebook.
You are to attend to all bathroom needs before any meeting begins.
You must sit together as a group.
You must stay together during church or special services. No eating is allowed.
You are to stay in the building until the staff member in charge is ready to leave.
Class
We have class Monday to Thursday in the morning and in the evening. During this time you will hear speakers and watch teaching/training videos.
You are required to attend all classes. The resident must bring her Bible, notebook and pen to class. Every resident is required to take notes. The residents’ notebooks should be checked periodically.
If a resident misses a class due to an appointment or illness, she is responsible for making up the class.
Counselling & Group Work
You will have individual counselling once a week for one hour. You are to notify the staff on duty if you need immediate help or counsel.
Counselling is based on Christian principles. After each counselling session you will be given an assignment. It is important that you complete this by your next session.
You may work on your assignment during the study hall hour as well as in your own time.
lf you have not completed your homework assignment, your counsellor may cancel your counselling session for that week. You will need to stay in from recreation until you complete your assignment.
On the day you are scheduled for counselling you do not participate in recreation. This is your time to finish assignments. You will participate in group work once a week.
Under no circumstances are you to counsel any other resident.
Discipline
Discipline will be given for disobedience and inappropriate attitudes.
Examples of discipline include extra household duties, restriction from privileges, and dismissal from the program.
Dismissal
You may be subject to dismissal from the program for the following behaviour:
- using drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes or for having them in your possession.
- leaving the property without permission
- being continually uncooperative
- not showing a sincere desire for help
Dress Code
Clothing must be clean and modest at all times.
Modest and appropriate clothing is to be worn to Church services unless notified otherwise. The staff on duty will notify residents of appropriate and modest attire.
One piece bathing suits are allowed and must be modest.
Some type of clothing (in addition to underclothing) must be worn at all times, including to and from the bathroom.
Neatness and cleanliness is expected.
Exiting the Program
There are two ways you can exit the program:
1. Completing the Program – this is worked out in accordance with Mercy Ministries staff in relation to you achieving your goals in the program.
2. Leaving the Program before completion – this is when you choose to leave the program before you have completed the program. We require 24 hours notice.
Food Preparation/Clean Up
Only staff and #1 and #2 preparation persons are permitted in the kitchen or dining area during meal preparation.
Wash your hands and put on disposable gloves before handling the food in any way.
Please use good hygiene. For example, do not use the spoon that you are cooking with to taste the food you are preparing.
In meal preparation, the #1 prep person for the evening meal needs to take out frozen food for the next day. Check on the menu for any additional food.
Please refer to the Program Procedure Manual for Food Preparation and Clean Up procedures.
Holidays
At Christmas, we normally allow the residents to spend approximately two weeks at home or at an alternative place. These dates will be given in advance so that you will have time to make arrangements.
We do not allow other holidays from the program.
When it is nearly time for you to graduate from the program, the staff may recommend that a trial visit home be arranged. This will be handled on an individual basis according to individual circumstances.
Hygiene
You are to shower every day at assigned times.
You are required to follow health and hygiene guidelines.
Laundry
You may wash your clothes twice a week at your scheduled time. You must do your own laundry. You need to be considerate in removing your clothes as soon as you are finished so that the next person on the schedule can begin their laundry. If you get behind schedule, it affects all those in line after you that day.
House laundry is to be folded and neatly stacked in the designated place.
House laundry is done every day. Please remember to check the laundry schedule to see when you are on house laundry.
When leaving the program, each resident is responsible to wash, dry, fold and return everything in her bundle to the staff. Please, wipe out the bathroom drawers for the next residents who will come behind you.
Lost & Found
If any of your belongings are confiscated because of staff finding them lying around, you may purchase them through merits.
lf left in the lost and found for 30 days your belongings may be considered the property of Mercy Ministries.
Please notify staff if you do not have merits or means with which to obtain your belongings, an alternative may be discussed if necessary.
You are allowed to open all of your mail in the presence of a staff member.
Staff will store any money received for you and this can be taken out as you need it. You are responsible for making a list of items received, giving it to the staff on duty so that your personal belongings register can be updated.
Inappropriate correspondence will be denied.
Residents may be asked not to correspond with the individuals who have proven to be a negative influence, or are connected to past problems.
You must have permission to mail any packages if you lose your mail privileges, all your mail will be put away until your privileges are restored.
Meal Etiquette
After everyone has been served, you may then go back for seconds with staff approval.
You may not fast any meals without permission. If you are missing a meal with the permission of staff you must still sit at the table.
After meals, please scrape leftover food into the appropriate garbage bin.
Rinse your plate and utensils and place them in the dishwasher.
No food is allowed outside the kitchen and dining area.
Dogs are not allowed in the kitchen or dining room.
Write your name on any food item that is yours personally. It will be stored and retrieved for you during a snack time by the staff on duty.
Medicine/Vitamins
All medicine and medication is kept in the office. Medicine will be given out by staff on duty.
Medicine is kept by staff in a medicine cabinet. It is dispensed ONLY be a staff member. Residents who have prescribed medication or are sick are encouraged to remember to come and get their medicine at the times designated on the schedule, normally around meal time. We provide certain “over the counter” medicine as needed.
All medications dispensed are to be logged on the ‘Medication Record Log’.
When you notice that the prescription is beginning to run out, inform the staff member in charge of refilling prescriptions or make arrangements to have it refilled.
You are responsible for paying for any prescription medicines that you may require.
Money
All money will be locked and secured with staff. This is for your protection.
You will have access to your money on shopping days. If you need to take out more than $20 you will have to write a list of your needs and have it approved by the Program Manager by the Wednesday before shopping day.
Shopping Day is on Friday. Any money you receive after 12 noon on Wednesday will be available until the following Friday.
If you have an urgent need, loans may be approved from Mercy Ministries.
Loans will not exceed $10 and must be paid back with the next money you receive.
Music
Only Christian music is allowed. This does not mean that we believe that non-Christian music is wrong. We are simply attempting to create a spiritual atmosphere that is conducive with the residents’ purpose for coming to Mercy Ministries.
Office
Corporate Office – if you need to see a staff member located in the corporate office, please arrange an appointment through the program office.
Program Office – the program office is accessible if the door is open. Staff will be glad to talk with you if they have the time. If the door is closed please do not knock as the staff are unavailable. Please wait until a later time when the door is open. Appointments can be made to see staff.
Relationships
You are not allowed to date during your stay in the program.
On outings, there will be no pairing off with a member outside of the group.
You are always asked to stay in the group.
As a new resident in the program we encourage you to get to know those girls who have been in the program for several months, rather than only getting to know the other new residents.
Shopping
Trips to a local Shopping Centre are made on Friday afternoon. You need to plan ahead to make sure you don’t run out of personal items during the next week.
You will have to sign your Spending Money Record to confirm how much money you have taken for shopping. Make sure you keep all of your receipts as you will need to reconcile the money you have spent and the money left over. You will have to show staff all purchases and these need to be added to your Personal Belongings Register. Failure to provide all your receipts may result in receiving a discipline restricting you from attending the next shopping trip.
You must stay in designated groups of at least two or three, and not separate from the group. Residents in the program who are under 17 years of age may be required to stay with a staff member at all times while shopping.
Sick Days
If you feel sick please advise a staff member on duty and it will be determined if a doctor’s appointment is necessary.
You will be required to make up any classes that you miss because of sickness.
Smoking
You are not permitted to smoke at all during your stay at Mercy Ministries.
Snacks
Residents are to ask permission of the staff member in charge if they may have a personally purchased snack.
Regular snacks including fruits and raw vegetables are provided daily. No sugar is to be put on fruit at snack time. Pregnant residents are allowed to also snack on crackers, yoghurt and cereal.
Any resident needing to snack at a time other than the designated morning and evening time, must receive permission from a staff member.
Stamps
Stamps are available for you to purchase. Please ask staff if you need to purchase any. If you need quite a few, you can purchase them on your shopping day..
Swimming Pool
The pool is to be used only at designated times. This may vary from week to week.
Do not run around the pool area.
Do not push or shove anyone ln the pool area.
Keep glass containers away from the pool area. Plastic cups are only to be used.
Please dry yourself off before coming into the house. Chlorine from the pool may stain the carpet.
If you are pregnant, please do not jump in the pool.
You are not allowed to operate the pool equipment and switches without permission.
lf your work details are not completed correctly, you will be asked to complete them again. If you have to redo your work detail twice you will lose a privilege.
We require all residents to cooperate when a special need arises.
Please see Work Details Section for detailed instructions for achieving assigned work detail tasks.
What happens at Mercy Ministries?
Daily Routine
In order for the program to operate effectively and efficiently we ask that all residents participate in the program as follows:
7.00am*. Wake Up
7.00-9.00am. Showers, Meal Preparation, Breakfast and Work detail
9.00am. Bible Reading
9.30-9.35am. Break
9.35-10.10am. Praise, worship and Prayer Time
10.10-10.15am. Break
10.15-11.15am. Class
11.15am-1.15pm. Lunch and Clean Up
1.15-3.30pm**. Recreation (Activities vary)
1.30-4.30pm***. Counselling Sessions
3.30-5.00pm. Courses – school or other study (for those who are studying)
5.00-6.00pm. Dinner and Clean up
6.00-7.15pm. Free Time – Evening Work Details
7.15-8.00pm. Class
8.00-8.45pm Study Hall – homework, read books
8.45-9.30pm Free Time
9.30-10.00pm Quiet Time
10.00pm Lights Out
This is a sample schedule only and the schedule can vary depending on special activities, concerts, guest speakers, etc. We endeavour to make your time as enjoyable as possible.
* Pregnant girls get up at 7:30am
** Pregnant girls nap during this time.
***NOTE Counselling sessions preempt regular schedule and vary accordingly with each girl.
What about….?
Bible Reading
When you enter the program you will be given a Bible. You can read this Bible or your own Bible. We encourage you to read the Bible on your own on a daily basis.
We will start our mornings in the class with a Bible reading. During this time, you will be required to use the Bible given to you by Mercy Ministries. This is to avoid confusion with different translations. Included is a sheet that has a daily outline to read your Bible within a year.
Class
We have class Monday to Thursday in the morning and in the evening. During this time you will hear speakers watch teaching/training videos.
You are required to take notes from these sessions. These may be checked by the staff.
Counselling and Group work
Group work is held once a week on Friday morning.
Individual counselling sessions are held once a week in the afternoon. On this day you will not participate in recreation. You will meet your Counsellor within your first 2 days of being at Mercy.
Free time
This time is for you!! During this time you are to complete any work details that you have been assigned to, including your laundry. You may also be rostered on for your shower during this time.
Meals
We have set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also an opportunity for morning tea and supper.
Residents will be rostered on for different aspects of meal preparation and clean up. Please ensure you check the roster on a weekly basis.
Quiet time
This is when you are getting ready for bed, maybe reading a book or your bible or already in bed asleep.
Praise and Worship
Each morning there is a time for Praise & Worship. During this time songs are played and you are encouraged to sing and spend time to open your heart and mind to Jesus.
Recreation
Recreational activities will take place three afternoons a week and sometimes on weekends. This is a time for you to relax and keep fit. These activities may including swimming, going to the gym or going on a bushwalk.
Study and Course work
There will be time four afternoons a week for you to complete any external studies that you may be participating in. This does not apply to all residents and is to be worked out with the Program Manager and your Counsellor.
Study Hall
This is a time for you to complete any assignments from Counselling, read books, listen to a tape, write letters. This will take place in the classroom.
Wake up/Lights out
You are to get up at
7am Monday to Friday
10am Saturday
7.30am Sunday
Lights out are at
10pm Sunday to Thursday
11.30pm Friday
10.30pm Saturday
10pm Sunday”
