Faith Covenant Church | Fort Jackson Guidelines and Manual

Fort Jackson Manual and Guidelines

Fort Jackson Manual and Guidelines

The ministry at Fort Jackson helps men rebuild their lives through the grace of Jesus Christ. We provide a safe setting where men can live together and develop their faith in God through the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit. Our house, at 3845 Westerville Road, Columbus Ohio 43224, was built by Zenus Jackson, an early settler in Columbus who offered his house as a stop on the underground railroad. Similarly, we offer a stop for men as they re-establish their lives and seek their freedom through Christ.

The men coming to Fort Jackson must exhibit evidence of a redeemed life. It is important that they express their faith in Christ in both words and action by being committed to God's service through church attendance and Bible study, by being gainfully employed, and by actively seeking God's guidance in all that they do. As such, Fort Jackson is best thought of as a three-quarter house, not just a halfway house, for men already exhibiting Christian character and having a continued desire to make changes in their lives.

The men at Fort Jackson do not pay rent and can stay with us for up to one year. While they are with us, they are expected to develop their character in accord with Isaiah 61:3b

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.

General Policies

Men are expected to live within boundaries that are established to protect the group's well-being. They must be willing to set aside their individual interests for the benefit of the group, and we ask all to abide by the teachings of Christ. This manual sets forth general policies, guidelines and acknowledgments for those living at Fort Jackson (FJ).

Conflicts arise in all gatherings. No matter how hard we strive to live in harmony with God and each other, disagreements occur. When this happens it is important for everyone:

• To set aside their personal interests to hear God's voice.

• To set aside their personal interests for the well-being of the others;

• To set aside their personal interests to assist the ministry team of Fort Jackson.

The men at Fort Jackson are guests in our home. They can be asked to leave at any time for any act unbecoming of the ministry (e.g., failing a drug test, drinking, smoking, fighting, being rude or unresponsive, use of improper language). Men are required to participate in a forced savings plan of $250 per month that is returned to them at the conclusion of their stay. Men not being able to contribute are asked to leave, making their continued employment a necessity. Men do not have a curfew and can stay overnight with friends and family provided they notify the house manager.

We want everyone's experience at Fort Jackson to be enjoyable and productive. When a person leaves, we want them to remember their stay at Fort Jackson as a time of healing and growth.

Guidelines

Residents are accountable to the Fort Jackson ministry team. Residents are on probation for their first month at Fort Jackson, and may be asked to leave after this time if they are unable to adjust to the guidelines of the house in a cooperative manner. Failure to adhere to the house rules listed below can lead to immediate dismissal at any time.

What we do:

Spiritual:

Must attend a church service every Sunday.
Must attend Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) on Monday night when in session.
Must attend Fort Jackson Bible Study
Must prepare a Bible study lesson after three months of residence.

Developmental:

Must establish a church home and regularly attend church.
Must diligently pursue gainful employment.
Men not employed will not be allowed to stay at Fort Jackson.
Must contribute $250 per month to a mandatory savings program.
All money donated to the savings program will be returned to the resident upon departure.

Physical:

Must share daily household chores including yard work.
Must submit to drug and alcohol testing. No foul language, rude or unresponsive behavior, or behavior unfitting a gentleman.
Must keep living area neat and clean at all times, e.g., beds must be made up every morning, clothes must be washed and folded, dishes must be washed immediately after use, etc.
Must store food and drink in the kitchen only, and not in any other rooms of the house. Eating only in the kitchen, dining room and front living room.
Personal food is to be marked with the resident's name for their use only unless they allow otherwise. Food provided by the ministry can be used by anyone.
The television is to be turned off by 10pm every night except if allowed by the House Manager.

What we do not do:

No drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no tobacco products, no pornography, no foul or disrespectful language on or off the premises.
Residents must not bring weapons into the house.
Must not cause dissension among the other residents.
Must not bring guests into the house without notifying the house manager. All guests at the house must be treated with dignity and respect.
No fighting, excessive arguing or expressions of violence. Must not exhibit an unresponsive attitude.

Overnight Pass

Residents must notify Fort Jackson ministry team of overnight stays away from the house

Residents Responsibility

The resident acknowledges that no compensation is expected for ministry work.
The resident acknowledges that medical expenses are their responsibility.
The resident acknowledges that he is responsible for his own items.
The resident acknowledges that the FJ ministry is not responsible for any resident loss.
Residents will provide full disclosure of all medication.
Residents are responsible to find their own employment.
The resident acknowledges that they can be asked to leave at any time.

Animals and Pets

Animals, birds, or pets of any kind shall not be permitted inside the residence at anytime.

Fort Jackson

Application for Residency

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Name ________________________________________________________________________

Current Address ________________________________________________________________

City___________________________________ State _____________ Zip ______________

Social Security# ________________________________________________________________

Date of Birth __________________________________________________________________

Marital Status __________________________________________________________________

Number of dependents __________ Age of dependents ________________________________

Church Affiliation ______________________________________________________________

Highest Level of Education _______________________________________________________

GED? ________ Year obtained. _________________

Clothing size: Shirt __________ Pants __________ Shoes ________

HOW DID YOU LEARN ABOUT FORT JACKSON?: _____________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Closest Relative's name __________________________________________________________

Their relationship to you _________________________________________________________

Their phone number _____________________________________________________________

Who to contact in case of emergency _______________________________________________

Their phone number _____________________________________________________________

PERSONAL:

When did you come to saving faith?

______________________________________________________________________________

How did you practice your faith in prison?

______________________________________________________________________________

LEGAL HISTORY:

Describe current and previous convictions, and dates of incarceration:

______________________________________________________________________________

Are you currently under parole or a suspended imposition of a sentence? yes / no

Are you under legal obligation to report your living arrangement to any judicial jurisdiction?

yes / no

If yes, please explain ____________________________________________________________

History of substance abuse:

Do you feel a need for treatment programs such as AA/NA during your stay at FJ? yes / no

Date of Last Use ________________________________________________________________

Substance _____________________________________________________________________

CURRENT PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONDITION:

Are you committed to be tobacco and substance free? yes / no

Are you currently being treated for any medical or psychiatric condition? yes / no

If yes, please explain ____________________________________________________________

Are you currently taking any prescribed medication? yes / no

If yes, explain please indicate medication name and dosage ______________________________

Have you ever attempted suicide or are you currently contemplating suicide? yes / no

If yes, please explain ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Have you now or/ ever seen a doctor or counselor for therapy? yes / no

If yes, please explain ____________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any physical challenges that will interfere with working a job or doing basic household chores? yes / no

If yes, explain __________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

WORK HISTORY:

Previous jobs __________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

TRADE AND SKILLS PERSONAL ASSESSMENT:

What field or trade skills are you hoping to pursue? ____________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

How do you relate to people in position of authority? ___________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Skills ________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Interest/ Hobbies _______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

LIFE GOALS:

What do you want to be remembered for? ___________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Describe where you see yourself in:

Six months: ___________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

One year: _____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Five years: ____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Financial Obligations and Disclaimer

Residence fee is $250 per month to be refunded to the resident upon completion of their time at Fort Jackson. Our goal is to require residents to save a portion of their income so that they can more easily transition out of the house when it is time. The residence fee is due on payday, and fees are considered late if not paid immediately. Failure to pay the resident fee for two months will result in dismissal.

Disclaimer

The undersigned resident hereby releases The Friends Ministry, Fort Jackson ministry team, and its officers and Trustees, including teachers and mentors, from any liability arising from damage, loss or theft of any personal property. The resident acknowledges that he is responsible for his personal property, including but not limited to, money, damage to cars, clothes.

The undersigned resident acknowledges that he has read the Fort Jackson Manual and Guidelines and agrees to abide by all rules and conditions contained therein and any subsequent rules that the ministry team deems necessary to include that enhances living at Fort Jackson. This agreement and any attached addendum constitute the entire agreement between the resident and the above mentioned parties, and no oral statements shall be binding.

The undersigned resident hereby acknowledges that he is subject to random drug/alcohol testing

and agrees to cooperate in giving the Fort Jackson ministry team a personal urine sample upon request.

The undersigned resident acknowledges that the Fort Jackson ministry team reserves the right to conduct random searches.

The undersigned resident hereby releases Fort Jackson ministry team, its officers, and Trustees from any liability arising from the negligent conduct of the other residents.

The undersigned resident hereby releases Fort Jackson ministry team, its officers, and Trustees from any liability arising from criminal actions of the other residents.

The undersigned resident hereby gives Fort Jackson ministry team, its officers, and Trustees the right to use any personal photographs or writing in Ministry publications.

Signature _____________________________________ Date ____________________

Print Name ____________________________________

Resident Agreement

The Fort Jackson (FJ) ministry team, a part of Friends Ministry operates Fort Jackson at 3845 Westerville Road, Columbus, Ohio. From time to time, individuals desire to live on the premises as residents. This agreement attempts to define the specific rules and arrangements between the parties.

This is an agreement between FJ Ministry team, a part of The Friends Ministry Inc., an Ohio Not for Profit Corporation with offices 386 Charmel Place Columbus, Ohio 43235 and

_________________________, an individual.

The purpose of this agreement is to define the living arrangements for the above named individual. The following are the mutually agreed upon terms and conditions. This agreement

shall be on a month to month basis.

This agreement and any attached addendum constitute the entire agreement between the resident and FJ ministry team, and no oral statements shall be binding.

By signing this document I indicate that I have read and agree to abide by all the general policies, guidelines and acknowledgements as stated in the Fort Jackson Manual and Guidelines.

In witness whereof the parties hereto have caused these presents to be signed in person.

NOTE: Guidelines to be administered at the discretion of the FJ ministry team and may be deviated from time to time as the incident and involved parties require.

Signature __________________________________________ Date _________________

Print Name _________________________________________

FJ Ministry Team Signature ___________________________ Date __________________

Print Name _________________________________________

The Friends Ministry Inc. a non-denomination Christian Ministry devoted to "The Poor in Spirit". The Ministry was founded in 1995 as a non-profit corporation under the Laws of the State of Ohio. The organization is a 501(C) (3) entity under the Federal Tax Code.