1. MEDICATIONS. Freeway Ministries leadership cannot and will not accept anyone with a medication that can cause another in our discipleship family to stumble. If you are on a psychological medication or pain medication that fits this description, we cannot accept you into the program. Additionally, we include any herbal, synthetic medicines, supplements that might alter the mind or mood. Many in our homes suffer from various forms of addiction, and we must protect them from every danger of relapse. (i.e., K2, Kratom, bath salts, CBD oils, THC, diet pills, alcohol, or any other substance deemed dangerous by our staff. This is not an exhaustive list as new substances appear daily. We do not allow culture to deem what is unacceptable; such determinations are made by the authorized structure of the house in their sole, absolute, and unreviewable discretion
2. PROBATION AND PAROLE. We inform the probation and parole office if anyone is in violation of our program rules. We respect our community and work to help people break free from the criminal mentality. We practice 100% honestly with community agencies.
3. CRIMINAL MENTALITY. We do not condone, promote, or encourage "the criminal code" at Freeway Ministries. If you are looking to continue to live like a criminal, then you should not apply. We help our guests break free from the criminal mentality that glamorizes being a criminal. Our desire is for people to become productive, contributing members of society.
4. CURFEW. We have a strict curfew of 10:00 pm every night. For the first 30 days, the only time one can leave is to look for work or go to approved meetings. You may go to the store if you are accompanied by another person who is off probation. You must return to the house by 5:00 pm during the probation period.
5. PROBATION PERIOD. There is a required minimum 30 day probation period. During this time, you will not be permitted to use your personal phone, electronic devices, and social media. You will be watched for your behavior; if you are negative, rebellious, and refuse to follow the structure of the house, we will invite you to leave. Program participants may be subject to an extended probationary period as deemed necessary by program leadership. We have space for individuals who are 100% serious about changing who they are. We want to help people who are willing to do whatever it takes to become cycle breakers; if this is not something you are willing to do, you should not apply to this program.
6. RELATIONSHIPS. Romantic relationships of any kind are prohibited for the duration of the program. Relationships cause relapse, and we expect our guests to abstain from relationships, emotional or physical. You cannot, under any circumstance, be in a romantic relationship with anyone. If you are alone with a person of the opposite sex, you will be asked to leave the house in breach of contract. In general, married individuals will not be accepted into the program unless it is a long-distance relationship and the couple is willing to go through counseling. We are a Christ-centered program, and we stand on the Biblical model of marriage. We want to ensure our guests are qualified to be spouses according to Ephesians 5. We expect you to give us 12 months of your life to help you learn how to have a healthy relationship with Jesus first and foremost. If you are ready for a relationship, then you would not be entering our housing. RELATIONSHIPS ARE
7. WORK REQUIREMENTS. Individuals in the program leave and look for work daily until they have a job. Individuals must place 5 job applications every day, Monday - Friday. We occasionally have job leads, but you are responsible for looking for work and turning in your applications. Individuals in the program are required to work a job without exception. If you are on disability or seeking to be on disability, you should not apply to our program. We provide bus passes until you get a paycheck, and then you're responsible for your bus passes for work. Everyone must have a job and the job must be during the day Monday - Saturday. Nights and overnights are not permitted. If you do not want to work or cannot work, this is not the program for you.
8.ACCOUNTABILITY. We will be in your business. This is one of the main reasons everyone works the same hours. Those who want to live the 'Lone Ranger' life will not make it in our program. Accountability sheets are signed when coming and going every day.
9. DRUG TESTING. We drug test a minimum of twice a month, randomly and upon suspicion of use. If you use drugs or alcohol, you must leave immediately. We do not throw people away but give them a chance to prove they want in the house again.We will provide them with 30 days to show they want to come back. If they continue to show up, stay faithful, and participate in the program with the right attitude, we will give them another shot.
10. SEARCH. There are no locked doors or padlocks to be kept by any guest. The leadership can and will search your property at any time.
11. DISCIPLESHIP. Discipleship (mentoring) is required. We have one on one mentorship through discipleship that helps individuals learn how to apply principles and disciplines found in God's Word into their daily lives. This will be effective for a productive lifestyle that they can take with them. Individuals receive mentoring, discipleship, and develop practical disciplines. They also become someone else's mentor and teach others in the program what they've learned. One of the biggest pitfalls in recovery is lack of purpose. People in our program find their purpose and we teach them ways to be effective for the rest of their lives.
12. SERVING. You will give back at least an hour a week serving the community at our outreaches. Service is in many areas: driving vans, van riders, altar workers, childcare (if qualified and at least 6 months sober), teaching teens, security, or in any other capacity. If you do not want to give back and serve others, Freeway will not be a good fit for you. NOTICE: In some cases, volunteer work may include heavy lifting and manual labor (landscaping, maintenance, repair, sorting clothing, etc If you have issues with volunteering your time, then you should not apply to Freeway Ministries.
13. VOLUNTEERING. You are expected to give back to the community. You will be very busy and active in the community and local church. We work hand-in-hand with every community agency including: DFS, drug court, probation and parole, juvenile centers, jails, prisons, churches, and rehab centers. We provide transportation for local inpatient drug treatment centers to our local outreaches as well.
14. DAY HOURS. Wake up time is no later than 8am Monday-Friday. It is your responsibility to wake up and make your bed. There is no sleeping around the house or being unproductive. We teach individuals to develop a productive lifestyle which is something many have never been taught. You are to be up and getting your day started every morning. Your chores are to be done before you leave the house. If you have a day off and you want to nap, it can only be in your own bed and after your morning commitments are made. There is NO SLEEPING IN THE LIVING ROOM.
15. HYGIENE AND HOUSEKEEPING. No one wants to be around a person who is filthy or does take care of themself. You must take a shower daily and take care of personal hygiene. You must also be dressed in the house. No one wants to see you with your clothing off. Shirts and pajamas are required outside of your bedroom.
16. CHURCH INVOLVEMENT. Individuals will be required to attend house and ministry meetings as well as church. You are in a Christian environment, and this house is a place for you to learn from God. Church services and meetings are MANDATORY. You are required to attend all Freeway meetings, and you are required to go to every service at our partnered church. You will attend both Sunday morning and evening services, as well as Wednesday night services. You should be excited to be a part of the church and should want to form relationships to get involved in the local church. Individuals are required to get 'plugged in.' This is one of the most important parts of your walk with the Lord. You are expected to find a place to get involved and meet people to share your struggles, make friends, and learn how to live a productive Christian life (the ministry has plenty of resources to help you get 'plugged in,' and this will not be difficult for those who are serious about the program The places you get involved in must be approved by Freeway Ministries. *There are a lot of different groups which focus on sobriety, but sobriety alone is not good enough; a program, group, and/or any resource that sees sobriety alone as success is not going to be approved by the ministry.
17. DENOMINATION. We are Baptist in practice. If you are not Baptist, we will still accept you with an understanding that our partnering churches are Baptist or Baptist-like churches. The material we use and what we teach is Baptist doctrine. We accept all Christian believers, regardless of background, if you can accept our structure and rules. We do not allow individuals to buck the authority of our doctrine. Many have come from different religious backgrounds and succeed.
18. HOUSE MEETINGS. There are mandatory house meetings where issues will be discussed, disagreements will be settled, and new ideas will be considered. You will also be required to attend one meeting a week regarding a Biblical mindset. We teach individuals how to settle disagreements and conflicts like adults; many have spent their lives with a 'flight or fight' mentality-handling disagreements like children. These meetings are taught by leaders from our partnered churches. This will give you a chance to get an understanding from godly men and women that have been through life's challenges. They will teach practical ways to be the person God intended you to be. The Discipleship Houses are for men and women to learn and grow. Plan on being busy. Those who have a desire to learn put hard work into the program and take away the most.
19.PERSONAL ITEMS. Freeway Ministries is not responsible for any items you bring into the house. We are not responsible for lost or damaged personal items you bring, buy, or possess in the house. ANY PERSONAL PROPERTY IS BROUGHT INTO THE HOUSE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Items allowed include a Bible (books, notepads, and other learning materials) blanket, pillow, clothing, pictures, hygiene and things of that nature. A phone and electronic devices (laptops or ipads) will only be permitted after you have completed your probation, as allowed by leadership. You cannot bring furniture, TVs, gaming systems or things of that nature into the house.
20. PROHIBITED ITEMS. No weapons, pornography, Rated R movies (including movies with sexual content), inappropriate magazines, secular music, or anything that could cause another to stumble are permitted. Any variation from the structure of these rules or any display of what is deemed unacceptable by Freeway staff or appointed leadership is grounds for immediate dismissal from the program. ***Freeway Ministries does not allow the culture to deem what is acceptable regarding medication, possessions, or behavior. Such determinations of what is inappropriate shall be determined by the appointed leadership, in their sole, absolute, and unreviewable discretion.***
21. LANGUAGE. No foul language, inappropriate or crude joking, or cursing is allowed while in the program. You are entering the program to learn how to follow Christ in a discipleship lifestyle. If Jesus would not say it or do it, then the same goes for you.
22. LAUNDRY. Laundry facilities are at your use, but are a privilege and should be treated as such. Bedding is to be washed weekly. It is solely your responsibility to wash your clothing and bedding. Dirty laundry should be maintained, and dirty clothing piles are not permitted. When your basket is full, you must do your laundry. No one wants to smell dirty clothing.
23. CHORES. There will be chores assigned to each member of the house. You are expected, without exceptions, to do your chores daily. Chores will be assigned by the leadership and will rotate every two weeks. Everyone is expected to carry their weight within the house.
24. DRIVING. Driving is a privilege that must be earned. Most individuals will not drive for at least the first 6 months in the program. You must have a valid driver's license and insurance to be permitted to drive. Transportation to Freeway required meetings, services, and events will be provided.
25. FOOD. All house guests are responsible for providing their own food. There will be occasional donations of food items provided, but these donations should not be expected. There are community resources to help with food, but ALL house guests are responsible for their food. Food is not allowed in individual rooms and must be limited to the eating areas and/or kitchen. Food will be kept in assigned locations, with approved plastic containers, clearly marked with your name. Under no circumstance is anyone allowed to take someone else's food without permission, and doing so can result in termination from the house.
26. SEXUAL OFFENSES. We are not able to accept individuals with sexual offenses into our housing program.
27. DOMESTIC OFFENSES. We do not accept individuals with protection orders against them or domestic assaults.
28. FEES. Each female program participant is required to pay $350 a month for service fees (mothers with children in foster care may be admitted on a sliding scale Service fees are used to maintain the premises and operate the house; Freeway does not profit from service fees. The first month's fees are due upon arrival into the program. Service fees should be paid as soon as you receive your first check. *NOTE: If you fall behind to the amount of $600 then you must leave the program (limited exceptions can be made due to illness or injury By signing this agreement, you agree to waive any legal rights or causes of action you may normally otherwise have. You also acknowledge that this living arrangement is NOT a landlord/tenant relationship in any way.
29. REFUNDS. If you are asked to leave for any reason or you leave without a 30 day notice, you will not be entitled to a refund of any service fees. Leaving before completing the 12 month commitment will be considered a breach of contract.
30. PHONES. At the time that you have earned the right to have a personal phone, you must be willing to open your phone to be searched upon request to ensure you are not violating any of the rules pertaining to criminal behavior, relationships, or pornography. Failure to submit to this rule is a breach of your contract.
31. LIABILITY. Freeway Ministries, Inc. shall not be liable for any items, either lost or stolen, which you bring into the house. Freeway Ministries, Inc. shall not be liable for any accidents, incidents, or other causes of action that may arise from living with other house guests. You acknowledge and assume the risk associated with other house guests who may be convicted criminals, suffer from addictions, and/or have mental health issues. You acknowledge the risk associated with living with these individuals and agree to hold Freeway Ministries, Inc. harmless from any cause of action or liability which may arise from living in this environment.
Should any part of this agreement be rendered or declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidation of such part or portion of this agreement should not invalidate the remaining portions thereof, and they shall remain in full force and effect.
This agreement shall be governed, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state of Missouri.