Haven of Rest: Dinner and Sleeping Arrangements

The first photograph is in the dining hall at the Haven of Rest;

Each night, around 100 men are fed and 20-25 women are fed.

The women sit separate from the men, and they also get their food about 15 minutes before the men enter.

Each tray is set the same; both the men and women file through a buffet line to get their main dinner plate and then take their seat.

If enough is left over, people will be offered seconds.

Full time staff as well as volunteers work in the kitchen; volunteers set up and serve the food.

This is an example of one of the rooms in the Harvest Home;

Women are welcome to sleep overnight in these rooms for whatever reason.

They may stay for a day, a week, 3 months, or even up to 6 months.

They are provided with showers, clean towels and bedding, a storage bin for their personal belongings - which must be emptied everyday when they leave... in case they do not return.

I spoke with one of the supervisors at the Harvest Home who worked with the Women's Day Room; all of the women referred to her as "Miss Thelma"

Fifteen women were staying overnight when I ate dinner with them and observed in the Women's Day Room. Many asked me if I was new; I wasn't sure how to respond. I told them I was new just for tonight. It was interesting to see the variety of women present and those that carried with them one small bag of belongings, and others who carried a couple luggage items and several other bags.

After dinner, I sat next to Miss Thelma's desk as she distributed medications to them women as they have need for it. Many of the women have prescription drugs while others have just vitamins and typical over-the-counter meds; all medications are kept in the office and it is closely recorded when medications are being taken. While staying at the Home, there are certain rules and schedules that must be followed. After dinner, they can smoke until 8pm, then they must remain indoors the rest of the night, showers are available, and until 9pm, they can access their medications with the help of Miss Thelma. She told me that for the most part, the women all get along.