The Shelter Committee shall be supported by the Council's Board of Directors and is the governing body for all activities at the second stage housing unit.

Decisions as to women accessing the facility or requested to leave shall be made by a minimum of two Committee members. When available, the Coordinator of the Women's Centre shall be included in this process whenever possible.

Shelter resident and reasons for residency will remain confidential. Only pertinent information will be shared with Committee members.

Before admission into the facility, the potential resident must provide references. Once references are checked, approval from at least two committee members must be obtained before the resident can move in.

Prior to moving in, all rules and regulations will be explained to the resident and a contract will be signed by both the Women's Centre and the resident ensuring that she understands and accepts regulations, responsibilities, and conditions outlined by the Corner Brook Status of Women Council and the Women's Centre.

Staff at the Centre will be accessible to residents during normal working hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) with exception to holidays and outside meetings. If a resident requires support or advocation services provided by the Centre, she needs to schedule an appointment with staff.

All information disclosed to staff will remain confidential with the exception of Committee members, when deemed necessary by the Coordinator (ie. as in the case of a conflict between residents, if damage was reported, etc).

1. Residents are expected to cooperate on kitchen use, washroom needs, and cleaning and caring of their own bedrooms and common areas. If assistance is required in this area, please contact staff at the Women's Centre.

2. Residents are responsible for keeping the entrance and pathway free of snow.

3. Residents are responsible for putting out the garbage weekly (Monday evening).

4. Residents are responsible for guests they have.

5. Residents are responsible for the reporting of broken dishes, appliances, or furniture, and soiled linen.

6. Residents are responsible for any children that they have - they must be supervised at all times.

7. Residents unable to live with the regulations will be asked to vacate.

1. The Women's Shelter is a smoke-free, women-only environment.

2. Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on the premises.

3. Every effort must be made to keep electrical costs to a minimum. Please do your part!

4. The essential ingredient in our provision of temporary shelter to women or women and their children is that of trust. Residents must understand that their stay is temporary. It is important that all residents treat the shelter as they would a home deserving of responsible and reasonable care. Residents will be required to provide reimbursement for property damage.

5. The shelter reserves the right to inspect bedrooms upon a verbal request with stated reasons.

6. No furniture is to be removed from the bedrooms.

7. Residents are expected to respect the presence of others with whom they are sharing a temporary home. Particular attention should be given to cooperation in the areas of cooking, TV and radio use, individual heat requirements, bathroom use, presence of children, etc.

8. Residents of the shelter unable to live with the regulations will be asked to vacate.

9. The Corner Brook Status of Women Council is not responsible for the loss of private property or injury of any resident or her guests.

It is expected that Shelter residents will keep the identity of other residents with whom they are sharing this temporary home confidential. As a resident, it is your responsibility to inform your guests about the importance of not revealing any information about other residents.

The cost is a small fee per a night, to a maximum of five days a week (this means that, if a resident stays either 5, 6 or 7 nights, they still ONLY pay for FIVE). An agreement will be signed by the resident stating the rent per week. Residents are expected to pay their rent in a timely fashion and failure to do so will result in consultations with the Shelter Committee and Women's Centre staff.

When out of town or staying at a relative's house, etc., residents are still expected to pay for the nights the room is not being used because Council is unable to rent the room as the resident's personal belongings are occupying the room in question.

On arrival, the resident will be given keys to the front door and one bedroom. These must be signed out by staff at the Women's Centre. Upon departure, keys must be returned to the Women's Centre.

Children are the responsibility of their mother or guardian and must be properly supervised at all times. If possible, it is asked that the child(ren) sleep(s) in the same room as their mother/guardian.

There is a maximum of two female guests allowed per resident. Guests are welcomed until 11:30 p.m. on weeknights, and until 1:30 a.m. on weekends. Guests are the responsibility of the resident and must be present only with the resident.

The Corner Brook Status of Women Council is not responsible for the loss of private property or injury of any resident or her guests.

If any damage is done to the Shelter, the resident(s) must report it the employees of The Women's Centre. The employees will then bring the matter up to the Council, and it will be dealt with as they deem fit. Compensation will be requested if undo carelessness resulted in the destruction of Shelter property.

If two or more people are unable to live in harmony, they should meet with the Executive Director or a Committee member to discuss the situation.

The main door of the shelter also serves as the primary fire escape route. It is the responsibility of the resident to develop alternative escape routes.

Fire extinguishers are to be only used in the event of a fire. They are not to be used as play toys or to be misused in any other manner.

One telephone equipped with caller ID block is at the disposal for residents. Discretion should be exercised when giving out this telephone number as it is an unlisted number.

As the Women's Centre is a not-for-profit organization, it is important that residents keep electrical costs to a minimum as it is the Corner Brook Status of Women Council who pays the bill.