How do I apply to live at Safe Pastures?

You will need to fill out the Safe Pastures Resident's Application and provide the required information. You can obtain the application by stopping by, calling us, or by downloading it from our website. We would also invite you to come for a tour of the Safe Pastures Family Home and take the opportunity to answer any questions you might have.

 

How do I know if I am eligible?

Single young women over the age of 18 who have aged out of foster care or who have been orphaned by critical support systems are eligible.  

 

What do I do while living at Safe Pastures?

You will be living in community with other young women, in a residential neighborhood. There are expectations like housekeeping, a code of conduct, curfew, and so on. Women in the community of Safe Pastures will also be participating in life skills education and social and recreational activities. Each woman is expected to spend approximately 40 hours of productive time each week.  Examples are going to school, volunteering, part-time work, or on personal goals.

 

How much will it cost me to live at Safe Pastures?

Part of the program at Safe Pastures is to teach you how to identify your own living expenses and work to provide for yourself once you leave Safe Pastures.  You will be asked to pay 30% of your income toward house expenses.  You will be expected to obtain a part-time job within the first 30 days of your admission to Safe Pastures Family Home.

 

How long can I stay?

We want to be a safe place for you to stay.  During your stay, you will be expected to attend some type of post-secondary education such as college, technical or vocational school. Safe Pastures will take into consideration your needs and goals when mapping out the length of your stay.

 

I still need to finish my G.E.D. Can I apply?

Yes, most definitely. Educational opportunity and achievement are one of our main goals! Safe Pastures is located in an ideal setting for a young woman who wants to get her G.E.D. Cincinnati State or CityLink Center is just a short bus ride away making it an opportunity for anyone regardless of their work schedule. When someone comes to Safe Pastures without a high school diploma or G.E.D. we do ask them to commit to attending classes 15-20 hours per week and make allowances in other areas to allow for this.

 

Why would I come to Safe Pastures when I can live with my boyfriend or co-worker?

Safe Pastures is a safe and caring place for you to live in community with others. We are here to support you, help you grow, and learn to make wise decisions about your future. You will not be alone! Through our program, you can learn how to become an independent woman who is able to care for her own needs, and to do it well! By living at Safe Pastures you are choosing to take big steps toward living up to your full potential. We want to make it possible for you to become the wonderful woman you were meant to be.

 

I've heard people say that you are Christ-centered?  Does this mean I need to be a Christian or attend church to live at Safe Pastures?

No, you do not need to be a Christian or attend church to live at Safe Pastures. We do ask that you commit weekly to developing a community support network outside of Safe Pastures. This can come in various forms. Many choose to attend a local church of their choice, while others have the option of getting plugged into a local civic organization such as Girl Scouts or Rotary Club. The choice of where to get plugged in is up to you.

 

Am I expected to attend counseling if I come to Safe Pastures?

While we firmly believe that counseling can be one of the best tools for healing from life's hurts. This happens when a  person is committed to the process. We have excellent counselors in our area that provide cost-free counseling to residents of Safe Pastures. We recommend each woman consider counseling as a way to overcome some of the barriers that may be preventing her from reaching her fullest potential.

 

What if I come to Safe Pastures and it's not a good fit for me? Can I leave?

We try to cover all the information and questions before you move in. Sometimes there ARE times when a young woman decides that living at Safe Pastures is not quite what she was looking for. Because living at Safe Pastures is a covenant and NOT A CONTRACT, you are free to leave at any time. We do ask that you communicate with us regarding your plans.  This gives us a chance to help you make a positive transition to the next place.