Homecoming Project

The Basics

Homecoming Project offers a highly structured sober living program for women suffering from substance abuse. The facility, located in Bel Air, Maryland, provides residents with structured support while they engage in their daily work schedules. Women are required to attend individual, group and family therapy sessions, 12-step meetings and educational sessions. All residents must have completed inpatient treatment or an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and be at least 10 days sober for admission to Homecoming Project.

Accommodations and Amenities

Homecoming Project provides a safe and comfortable environment for women in an eight-bed, state-certified house. The home is located in a peaceful neighborhood and all residents get private bedrooms with full beds, small dressers and closet space. Clients are expected to keep their rooms neat and make their beds every day before morning meditation. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, dining room and living room.

The kitchen is fully stocked and women take turns preparing meals for the entire house. All grocery fees are included in the rent. There is also a recreation room where residents have access to a TV and board games. The TV is not to be used during group sessions, meal times or until 6 pm Monday through Friday. There is also a laundry facility on-site that clients are required to use on a weekly basis.

Residents have access to a pool which is open seasonally, as well as a newly renovated exercise room equipped with bikes, treadmills, weights and ellipticals.

Rules and Regulations

Length of stay at Homecoming Project is typically nine months to a year. Weekly requirements for all clients throughout their entire stay include one on-site group meeting, one individual therapy session and one educational session, along with 12-step meetings. Morning meditation must be attended by all whose work schedules permit it. It is held Monday through Friday at 8:15 am and at 9:15 am on Saturday and Sunday.

Mandatory daily chores include dusting, sweeping, mopping, vacuuming and taking out the trash. Cell phones are not permitted though there is a house phone available for 15 minute calls only. All clients must respect a 10:15 pm curfew Monday through Thursday and an 11 pm curfew on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, all residents are required to be home by 5:15 pm for dinner and can’t leave the premises afterwards.

Residents must attend a four-level treatment program that they move through at their own pace with the help of a counselor. Progressing to a higher level requires clients to write a letter explaining why they should be promoted. Each letter is reviewed by the staff, who also conduct in-person assessments.

During the first phase, clients are required to obtain employment and work the first step with a female sponsor. Residents are also required to complete 90 meetings in 90 days. Women may only leave the grounds unaccompanied for 12-step meetings and job-hunting. If a client wants to leave for longer than four hours, a staff member must accompany her. No overnight or daily passes are given during this phase but family members can visit for up to four hours on the weekends. Sponsors are also allowed to come during weekly visiting hours from 2 pm to 4 pm.

The second phase requires residents to maintain steady employment, actively work through steps two and three and attend at least three AA or NA meetings a week. During this time, clients meet with a financial director to create a budget plan and set up a personal checking account if needed. Clients can go on a four-hour family outing on the weekends and are allowed to spend up to four hours at a time with an approved person in their recovery network. The same visiting privileges for sponsors apply.

In the last two phases, residents are given more responsibility and freedom. Women who are interested in higher education are allowed to enroll in college or a training program. Overnight passes may be granted along with longer weekend family outings. Family therapy sessions are scheduled with a counselor on a weekly basis.

Residents in the fourth stage may be granted vehicle privileges. In all phases, the women must always sign in and out with details on their whereabouts.

Extras

Aside from the standard treatment options, Homecoming Project offers acupuncture, yoga and guided meditation services once a month from a local practitioner who donates their services at no extra charge.

Homecoming Project holds an annual Spring Fling Fundraiser, yard sales and a  stiletto dinner and fashion show. The fundraiser has a different theme, the most recent being a Paint Night where guests were invited to paint the night away to support the women at Homecoming Project. The stiletto dinner and fashion show is an annual event that has been held for the last six years in memory of Virginia M. Dresher, whose foundation provides Homecoming Project with financial support.

In Summary

Homecoming Project is a solid option for adult women in need of a highly regulated sober living program. The program is long-term and heavily influenced by the 12-step philosophy. It may not be the right fit for a woman who is not interested in living in a spiritual household with specific expectations.

Homecoming Project
502 S Tollgate Rd
Bel Air, MD 21014

Homecoming Project Cost: $800 (intake fee); $500 (30 days). Reach Homecoming Project by phone at (410) 399-2904. Find Homecoming Project on Facebook

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