Changing the abortion epidemic from a political issue to a mission field for the Church, through a Church supported network of maternity homes.
Sierra House Maternity Home
Life at Sierra House...House Rules
During their stay at Sierra House, the women participate in daily devotions, attend church, pursue education, are referred to doctors and counselors, and learn valuable life skills. Our Director of House Operations has assisted in hundreds of hospital deliveries and is able to deal with many of the concerns these young women face. We are also very practiced at hasty trips to the delivery rooms and someone is available to the new mom throughout her birthing experience.
Shepherding Homes
We also utilize shepherding homes where our young women and their babies can transition to independent living. Individuals, retirees, and families with an empty bedroom in their home make their home available providing a family setting and role model. The staff and volunteers at Love Them Both remain involved so no one is thrown into the deep end of the pool or operate without a safety net.
If you would like to volunteer at Sierra House, become a shepherding home, provide transportation for these women, and/or provide spiritual support and life encouragement, please click here for volunteer opportunities.
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Life at Sierra House...House Rules
Sierra House belongs to God and is operated as a loving Christian home. Our goal is to provide the birth mother with a loving, caring, and safe environment. We hope their stay here will be looked back upon in the years to come and remembered fondly. As with any household, there are certain guidelines that are required to be followed during their residence.
These guidelines are set forth to maximize growth and development while in the home and also for the safety of both mothers and babies. Special circumstances are arranged for those unable fulfill guidelines by doctor's orders.
NO TOLERANCE guidelines include:
- NO violence
- NO drugs
- NO alcohol
Strictly enforced guidelines include:
- curfew violations
- no ill-speaking or talking back to staff
- no profanity
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General Guidelines
Education
- While in the home, guest mom must engage in continued education toward a GED, trade school, or college degree, and/or be employed at least part time.
- Guest mom must also participate in the Life Skill courses offered in the home as well as parenting workshops and Bible studies.
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Chores
- All residents will participate in daily tasks of housekeeping, cooking, laundry, etc.
- Bedroom chores: each person is responsible for keeping their bedroom picked up and cleaned, keeping dirty laundry off the floor, trash cans emptied, and personal items organized neatly. Beds are to be made daily by 9 am, with the exception of Saturdays at 10 am.
- Bathroom chores: Each person is responsible for keeping their bathroom cleaned after EVERY use. Residents are also responsible for keeping their own towels, washcloths, and other linens cleaned.
- House chores: These are divided up evenly among all residents. Each week a resident is assigned a common area to keep clean. Areas include the kitchen, bathroom, living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. Residents are responsible to pick up after themselves in all common areas at all times.
- Kitchen clean-up: After-meal clean-up is assigned on a rotating schedule and includes loading and unloading the dishwasher, and cleaning off counters and stove top with disinfectant. Each resident is personally responsible for cleaning up after personal cooking.
- Laundry: Each resident is assigned a laundry day and the last load of laundry will be completed by 8 pm. Each resident is responsible to launder their own bed sheets and clothing on a weekly basis.
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Infant Safety
- Infants shall remain with the birth mother at all times.
- It is mandated that house staff must report any abuse or neglect of infants to Child Protective Services.
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Drugs, Alcohol, and Smoking
- The use of drugs other than those prescribed by to a resident by their doctor or over-the-counter medications, are strictly prohibited. Sierra House reserves the right to conduct random drug testing on all birth mothers.
- Residents will be discharged from Sierra House immediately if caught using any illegal substance or found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- There is a no smoking policy anywhere on Sierra House property.
- Prescription and over-the-counter medications will be relinquished to the House Director upon moving into the home and will be dispensed as needed.
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Devotions, Bible Study, and Church
- Residents are required to attend a daily devotional.
- Each birth mother is expected to complete a weekly personal Bible study prepared by either house staff or a volunteer.
- Weekly church attendance is mandatory. Resident may accompany House Director or Mentor to their church, or may find their own transportation to an approved church of their choice.
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Privacy
- The house staff reserves the right to enter the birth mother's room at any time. They also reserve the right to search the room if there is any reason to suspect drugs, alcohol, or theft.
- The House Director's bedroom is off limits to all birth mothers at all times.
- There are no men allowed on Sierra House property unless prior consent is given by the current house staff.
- Sierra House is a safe haven for all birth mothers and we want to provide a comfortable home environment, therefore do not allow husbands, boyfriends, or the baby's father to visit the home.
- Parents/relatives are welcome to visit the home with 24-hour notice given to the staff.
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Curfew
- Curfew for returning to the Sierra House is 10pm daily with the exception of Saturdays at 11pm. This curfew is strictly enforced unless other arrangements have been made in advance with the House Director.
- No overnight privileges will be allowed unless special permission is given by the House Director.
- After curfew, there are no television or stereo privileges. There is however a library available for residents with reading material, or residents may remain quietly in their assigned rooms.
- No personal televisions are allowed. Personal stereos are allowed, however they must not disturb other house guests and must be turned off by 11pm.
- No R-rated movies will be allowed to be watched on house property.
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Telephone Use
- There is a phone available to be used by the birth mothers, however the House Director is the only person responsible for answering the phone.
- Phone conversations are limited to 15 minutes per call to allow others access to the phone.
- No collect calls will be accepted.
- No long distance phone calls will be made unless resident uses personal calling card.
- Violation of telephone rules will result in losing phone privileges for a designated time set by the house director.
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Failure the follow general guidelines will result in the following:
Violation of NO TOLERANCE guidelines will result in immediate dismissal.
Please remember, we are here to help, but if the birth mother is not willing to be helped, then there is nothing we can do.
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1-866-554-LOVE
lovethemboth@live.com