The following is a list of our most commonly asked questions and answers. Remember, if you need a place to stay or someone to talk to, please contact us.
- Who can stay at Wyndham House and how long can they stay?
- How does someone get into Wyndham House?
- What are the Wyndham House rules?
- What does cooperative living mean?
- Can residents have visitors and can they go away for a weekend?
- What kind of help is available through Wyndham House?
Long Term Resident Program is for young men and women, who for whatever reasons are not able to live in their family home. They need to be enrolled in and attending school, between the ages of 16 and 21, and eligible for funding from Wellington County Social Services, Children's Aid Societies, or by a parent. Length of stay varies; some stay a few days others may stay a year or longer. As long as residents are between 16 and 21, attending school and following the Wyndham House program they are welcome to stay.
Emergency Bed Resident Program is for anyone between the ages of 16 and 21 who is experiencing a housing crisis, emergency beds are only available when there is a bed not being used by a long term resident. Short term residents may stay at Wyndham House for up to 28 days, during which time Staff will help generate options which may include enrolling at school and applying to stay long term.
How does someone get into Wyndham House?
Call 763-8040 for young men or 763-8660 for young women and arrange to come for an interview and a tour of the house. If the house is currently filled the name will be added to the waiting list. Please note you must do the interview and tour to have your name put on this list. Short term or emergency beds may be accessed (if available) from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
What are the Wyndham House rules?
The CARDINAL RULES are:
- NO drugs or alcohol allowed on property
- NO smoking in the house
- NO sexual activity allowed on property
- NO violence or threat of violence allowed on property
There is a weekday curfew of 11:00 p.m. with lights out at 12:00 a.m. and a weekend curfew of 12:30 a.m. with lights out at 1:30 a.m.
What does cooperative living mean?
Long- term residents at both Wyndham House for Young Women and Wyndham House for Young Men have responsibilities and rules that must be met. All aspects of the day-to-day home life, such as cooking, washing dishes, housework, etc. are done cooperatively on a daily or weekly rotation so that all residents learn all aspects of house care, and can plan a menu, budget for it and prepare it. Cooperative living also incorporates respectful communication, respect for other's privacy and property as well as learning and using conflict resolution and problem solving skills.
Can residents have visitors and can they go away for a weekend?
Privileges like having visitors, inviting a guest for supper, having a supper away, extensions on the curfew and weekends away are earned by the individual resident by adhering to the Wyndham House rules, completing his or her assigned household responsibilities and by regular attendance at school. Taking responsibility for your actions and accepting the consequences of those actions are concepts that staff regularly focus on in their interactions with residents.
What kind of help is available through Wyndham House?
Both residences are staffed 24 hours a day, which means there is always someone available to offer emotional support around personal issues or to help problem solve. A weekly Anger Management program is run at each residence as well as periodical workshops on cultural or social issues. Additional counselling for drug/alcohol addiction, mental health issues, etc. are arranged through community agencies, with the help of staff.