The Prodigal Sons
An Elevated Alternative To Traditional Sober Living
Problems and Solutions
See how we plan to solve the typical issues of sober-living environments
Problem: Food Storage -
Space, Labeling and Keeping
Tenant-Specific Items Separate
In traditional houses, tenants who purchase their own food items have to find a way to store them, as well as keep everyone else from using them. Residents are then left with no other option but to keep a small pantry under their beds, encroaching on already limited personal space. Additionally, residents are expected to provide their own mini fridges to keep their items separated. This further burdens the tenant and leads to ever-increasing territorialism and disputes between residents.
Solution:
Provide Kitchen Basics and Designate Spaces for Separate Food Storage
We have added ample racking to the West Kitchen allowing each tenant their own personal shelf for storing such items. Shelves are clearly marked and taking items from another resident's shelf is strictly prohibited. There are plenty of cabinets stocked with an abundance of snack foods available for free to everyone. The home also has 3 refrigerator/freezer combos in the house, as well as another large storage fridge and deep freezer located in the mudroom. The Prodigal Sons provides communal kitchen staples such as: coffee, cooking oil, basic seasonings and condiments. Additionally our relationship with The Blessings Of Hope Ministry further allows us to offer a wide variety of food items to our residents.
Problem:
Keeping the Home Pest Free
Taking in tenants from a variety of previous living situations always poses a risk of unwanted pests hitching a ride on compromised linens. This, paired with the habit of storing one's food items in one's bedroom, can often lead to issues with bugs, mice and other undesirables that can quickly spiral out of hand.
Our Approach:
Remove the Most Common Avenues
We have mitigated this by providing each new tenant with a brand new and freshly laundered set of cotton sheets, pillows, comforter and bath towels. The bath linens are color coded to each tenant, further preventing issues between tenants over mistaken property. When the tenant is ready to leave us, they are encouraged to take these items with them as they furnish their new homes. We also believe that small gestures like brand new bedding help start our tenants off on the right foot and promote a sense of dignity and accountability over maintaining the quality of their personal and communal effects.
Problem:
Roommate Theft and Ensuing Tensions
In traditional sober living environments, each tenant is responsible for supplying and securing their own household goods for their individual use. Most rooms lack the adequate space for each individual tenant to store such a variety of items and unauthorized ‘borrowing’ is a near constant issue that disrupts the harmony of the home, distracts from the recovery, and prevents the tenants from forming lasting friendships that could prove essential in providing them with long-term support and community.
Solution:
Provide All Household Provisions
At our mission house, we have negated this issue by lifting the burden of securing and storing such a variety of supplies from the individual tenants to the house itself. The Prodigal Sons furnishes the house with all paper products, toiletries, and kitchen basics such as:
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Paper Towels Q-tips Toilet Paper
Cooking Oil Basic Seasonings Cleaning Supplies Foil/Plastic Wrap Body Wash Shampoo Conditioner
Laundry detergent Dish detergent Toothpaste Hand Soap