Life Recovery Program Overview
The Good Shepherd Mission (the Mission) has transitioned from a traditional overnight shelter to a structured, faith-based recovery program. Our goal is to help individuals stabilize their lives, grow spiritually through Christian teaching, gain job skills, and reintegrate into the community as responsible, independent individuals.
We are a ministry dedicated to serving the homeless, with the goal of helping each person move out of homelessness and become a success story. To support this mission, we’ve established a structured program that includes educational classes and rules designed to foster personal growth and discipline. This program is called the Life Recovery Program (referred to as "the Program").
Getting Started
Before calling us, please read this entire page carefully. It outlines the basic requirements and key information about the Program. Admission is not guaranteed, and understanding what the Program involves is essential before applying.
All potential clients must first call the Good Shepherd Mission and speak with a senior staff member so that you can be sent an electronic "General Information Form." This form helps determine whether we can proceed with a full interview.
Important Notes
Please be aware that we are often at full capacity. The need for homeless services —particularly shelter— frequently exceeds what we are able to provide. We are actively seeking additional donors to help expand our capacity and serve more people.
To preserve the safety, integrity, and sustainability of both the Program and the Mission, we ask that you carefully review the physical, behavioral, and other basic requirements listed below. Please note: this page offers only a general overview and does not include all criteria involved in the intake process.
Additional factors—such as criminal background—are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Some Requirements for Admission
To be eligible, individuals must:
• Be drug and alcohol free at time of admission.
• Have a valid photo ID.
• One must not be a registered sex offender in any state.
• Be medically and psychiatrically stabilized (including active mental health medication compliance if diagnosed).
• Be physically able to climb up and down a large staircase without assistance.
• Be able to assist the day-to-day operation of the Mission for 20 service hours a week. This includes chores and assisting in the Food Bank, etc.
• Be mobile.
• Be able to independently manage personal care and daily living tasks.
• Be able to shower every day without a shower stool.
While our hearts go out to those who are most in need, we are a small team with limited staff and no medical personnel on site. We simply cannot provide the level of care required for those needing intensive physical or mental health support.
We are not equipped to accept individuals who:
• Are a fall risk or require mobility assistance
• Have unmanaged or severe psychiatric symptoms.
• Require ongoing medical care, wound care, or physical assistance.
• Are in need of detox or substance withdrawal medidcal support.
• Are medically non-compliant or currently nonverbal/confused due to mental illness or cognitive decline.
Therefore, these are some of the things that do not describe the Good Shepherd Mission:
• We are not a nursing home.
• We are not an assisted living facility.
• We are not a physical rehabilitation facility.
• We are not a mental health facility.
• We are not a detox facility.
• We are not a come and go as one wants facility ("a flop house").
Initial Program Expectations
Upon agreed, voluntary admission, all Lodgers (people living at the Mission) are required to:
• Participate in a mandatory 3-week on-campus orientation period, during which they may not leave the property, except for proven, pre-existing employment obligations and health appointments.
• Lodgers must start to look for a job after their first three weeks as they continue to assist the Mission and go to classes when not at work. Work schedules are submitted to the director or case manager weekly.
• Attend required Christian Bible studies, life and job skill classes, Christian addiction recovery events and classes, character building classes, and spiritual development classes while not at work.
• Contribute to the Mission's ministry through 15 hours of service duties each week which include keeping up the grounds and assisting in the Food Bank and Thrift Store. Lodgers also do cleaning chores as assigned.
Current Class Schedule:
• Mondays at 7:30 am, Bible study
• Tuesdays at 6:00 pm, Celebrate Recovery (addiction recovery) / dinner and class
• Wednesdays at 7:30 am, Bible study
• Wednesdays at 1:00 pm, Overcomers: A Daily Choice (addiction recovery)
• Thursdays at 2:00 pm, Job search time in the computer lab
• Thursdays at 3:00 pm, Job skill training
• Fridays at 7:30 am, Character Building Class
• Fridays at 3:00 pm, Job skill training
Program Goals
Our goal is not short-term shelter, but long-term restoration. We work closely with each individual with the goals of promoting stability, personal responsibility, lasting transformation —culminating in employment, obtaining housing, and sustainable independent living.
Termination of the Program
The program ends for all participants after seven months except for individuals aged 70 or older who continue to meet the physical requirements.
The Good Shepherd Mission is a private non-profit organization. We reserve the right to terminate a participant’s stay at any time if the director determines that there is a serious reason to do so. Examples of such reasons include:
• The participant develops a new physical limitation that makes continued residence unsafe.
• The participant fails to comply with program rules.
• The participant consistently has difficulty interacting respectfully with Mission management staff.