Residential Program

Statement on Anonymity

At Vineyard House, we neither confirm, nor deny, whether we have seen or talked to anyone, or that any person has been or is in our program.

Expectations

How to Apply

For entry to Vineyard House, a prospective resident must call (508) 693-8580, at which time information is exchanged over the phone and an interview is scheduled.  The face-to-face interview is then scheduled.

Although at times we have a waiting list, there is ebb and flow, due to the nature of this type of work. Residents are encouraged to live in Vineyard House for at least a year and are asked for a minimum six-month commitment. The maximum length of stay is eighteen months.

Primary Purpose

The Vineyard House provides Island housing for those men and women who need a safe living environment while they are in the early stages of recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, and who need support while renewing responsibilities to themselves, their families and the community.

Substance Abuse - Dependent Characteristics

• Mood swings
  
• Unreliability, inability to finish projects
  
• Unexpressed resentment and secret hatreds
  
• Dishonesty - lying to family, friends and employers
  
• Withdrawal from loved ones, isolating behavior
  
• Depressed appearance
  
• Possible stealing from family and friends

Resident Guidelines

• Island men and women (18 years old or older)
• Must agree to abide by House rules
• Must participate in Twelve Step meetings
• Must be committed to their own recovery
• Must be gainfully employed
• Must actively contribute to the residential community
• Must submit to random alcohol and drug screening

"Hope's Home Address"

"…The Vineyard House project is a community-based answer to the urgent need for an environment where recovering alcoholics can find support and stability while they make that critical transition out of the medical setting of detox and back to the stresses and challenges of a sober everyday life.

…As an example of what compassion, clear vision and dedication can accomplish, Vineyard House is more than simply one more nonprofit program serving this Island community. It is an inspriration to us all, a reminder of what can happen when we dream of the way it ought to be, of our wonderful castles in the air - and then go about the hard work of putting foundations beneath them."

Testimonials

"Especially because I don't have a car, I like the house location and sharing with other residents who have similar issues as me. This is helping with my financial recovery."

"I like the support I feel from the other residents."

"I feel very supported by the Vineyard House and I like the strictness of the house."

"I wouldn't be where I am without the Vineyard House. You have to want recovery."

"I like having people around the house. I think the other residents are kind and caring and I like the fact that people don't isolate."

November 1999
"After twelve years of trying to get clean, my fourteen months at Vineyard House helped break that continuous downhill cycle. I now have two years "clean and sober". I owe that, in large part, to this program. I am forever grateful."

December 1997
Dear H....I wanted you to know how happy I am at the Women's ...house. I feel like my sobriety has grown by 2 leaps and 3 bounds. I was so happy this morning just thinking about things..... It sure beats the howling tears I was going through. Things won't all be easy I know but I feel Hope, a rare and sparkling thing for me. I am in a place where I can treasure and nurture my sobriety!

"It gave me a place to change everything."

"If it wasn't for the house I wouldn't have gotten sober. I'd be out there dead or in another detox." (obtained February 2000)

"I like the way it promotes from within. It shows the residents what it [a sober life] can do."
(obtained February 2000)

"I tried too many times, too many ways. I'm Very lucky the house was there. It provided stability, support, tight unity with others."