Program Details

• Retreat Home does NOT provide a social worker. All referrals into the Retreat Home program are made from a social worker to Executive Director Sarah ButlerWills.

• Guest family and host family meet to ensure the living situation will be a good match. 

• A Retreat Home support volunteer provides support to guest family and host family throughout the temporary stay. 

• Guidelines are discussed and agreed upon by guest family, host family and Retreat Home support volunteer. 

• Guest family stays with host family for approximately 3 months. 

• During that time, the guest family is actively working with their social worker (housing specialist or case manager) to secure permanent housing.

• There is no cost for guest family, no rent, no utilities, etc. They are guests in the host family’s home.

• Beds, bedding, towels, closet, cooking space, and food storage are provided by host family.    

• Host family can provide positive tenant references, and since there is no cost for the guest family during their stay, they can save for their new housing deposits. 

• Prior to any agreement, a guest family background check is made by the social worker’s agency and is shared with Retreat Home and host family.  

• Social worker (case manager or housing specialist) must be committed to meeting with guest family and host family once a month for a check-in meeting where frequent updates are shared. 

• Retreat Home does not accept guests with current (within the last two years) domestic violence or violent criminal experiences in their history. 

• Host and guest families have the right of refusal of Retreat Home program.

• All Retreat Home volunteers, host families included, participate in educational trainings.

• Host family homes are assessed for safety, health, and hygiene standards found in the Washington State Foster Care licensing requirements.