Often Asked QuestionsDo you pay employees or do you use an all volunteer staff?
Tennessee Valley Outreach, Inc. accepts resumes and applications for employment by postal mail (Box 764, Decatur 35602) or by e-mail (jwoodtvo@att.net).
Review some of the pages on this web site to get a "feel" for Tennessee Valley Outreach and its mission. Now ask yourself these questions:
- Do I really want to work for a homeless mission?
- Am I willing to work at a place that does not offer overtime, health insurance, or a retirement plan?
- Do I have enough life-experiences to be able to cope with individuals who have multiple problems?
Then, if you have all of the following Qualifications, please apply.
- High School graduate or GED (bring evidence to scheduled interview)
- Licensed driver with a clean driving record
- The ability to plan and cook a meal (list cooking experience)
- Functional computer skills in Excel and Word
- Your pastor as one of your character references
- Skilled in math enough to do simple bookkeeping
- Live independently with spouse or in own lodging
- Be in good physical health,
- Like working with people
Older applicants are sought and valued because of their additional life experiences.
Is There Religious Coercion at TVO?
Another frequently asked question by those unfamiliar with TVO is "How can you not force your religion on the people you serve?" The answer is in two parts.
First, salvation is by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, according to Scripture, for God's glory. In that spirit we take seriously His admonition to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, and generally help the needy.
TVO provides a "common sense" program of independent living skills such as work, worship, chores, and money management to those who want to be helped to help themselves.
Second, TVO's major focus is assisting others to move beyond homelessness toward more responsible adulthood into the larger society. One component of that process is making better decisions. Part of the life-skills experiencing for residents, therefore, is to decide for themselves whether they will attend chapel at TVO or off campus. Or not to worship at all.
Is there no coercion? Not unless you consider turning off the TV during chapel as coercion.
How does TVO reduce effects of homelessness?
Homeless persons are not all alike. Two sorts of homeless people come to TVO.
One group is looking for a place to stay until they can get back into society and pay their bills. The problems of this group may include child support, bankruptcy, loss of driver's license, addiction (to alcohol, drugs, gambling, etc.), rejection by their families, mental illness and/or personality disorders.
The primary program at TVO offers these men and women a long-term program to help them work through their problems and become tax-paying citizens.
A second group are those who travel from state to state looking for a place to spend the night, do their laundry, eat a few good meals and then continue on their journey. Included in this group are local addicts who want a place to crash for the night. If they are not "using" at the moment, they are admitted.
If they continue to seek just overnight lodging and are unwilling to change their lifestyle, they are referred to another shelter that is more appropriate for their situation.
How long can a person stay at TVO?
Each case is different. Some find employment faster than others.
Some have hit bottom and are willing to tackle their problems one at a time in order to get their lives turned around.
The longest time anyone has stayed was 15 months. I thought he should have had more money saved before he left. However, he was getting quarterly raises at his job—and he made it.
How do you know the person is currently on drugs or alcohol?
We do drug and breath tests.
Who are more successful, men or women?
Both men and women have many problems to overcome. Men seem more independent and work on problems as they occur. Men are usually more successful at finding jobs and following a plan.
A lot of women want to take the easy way out and look for a man to take care of them.
Some women try to solve their problems using sex, but men usually discard them within 24 hours. As a rule, men do not associate sex with anything other than the moment. Men who leave usually return within a few days wanting re-admission. A woman rarely returns.
What constitutes a successful outcome?
Success for the TVO program is not how many meals were served nor how many nights housing was provided.
No, it's how many residents have or learn an employable skill, hold a steady job, show an upbeat attitude often with plans for the future, plus demonstate their faith in God.
Then they are ready to provide their own housing. That's success!
At TVO, does a person have to pay to stay ?
A transient does not pay for an overnight stay. But yes, a resident pays $12.00 a day.
The actual cost, however, is about $55.00 a day to house, feed and provide for each resident. Adequate staff, the biggest expense, is essential to residential programs.
Are all homeless facilities alike?
No. Many shelters make no demand on their clients to be anything other than homeless persons. Service is impersonal.
They keep people overnight only. At those shelters homeless clients may start congregating as early as 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. waiting for the doors to open at 4:30 p.m.
They are fed an evening meal and sleep in bunks sometimes three-bunks high. A guard may be hired to watch them at night for their own protection. After breakfast the shelter closes. The homeless person is free to walk the streets or hang out in parks.
What makes the TVO shelter different?
Several things. TVO is open 24 hours a day to serve homeless persons. This facilitates shift workers and maintains a work oriented environment.
Residents have their own bed and storage facilities for clothing and personal hygiene items. A person can feel at home while making a lifestyle change.
TVO has a Code of Conduct (House Rules) to set expectations for changing behavior patterns and developing more realistic perspectives. All residents participate in household chores so they may learn how to live in their own apartment.
TVO has a listening, caring staff that takes time to explain and consistently model their conviction that everyone has to learn to trust God.
Does TVO have a high success rate?
TVO can only offer the opportunity for change—a person has to accept it. Those who choose to change their lives make this work worthwhile. We do offer the option of change to all who enter our door; it's their choice.
Will residents work for less than minimum wages?
TVO's residents usually have a very low self-image. Accepting less than minimum wages for work would further demean them. Therefore, we suggest they not accept employment for less than minimum wage. Of course the final decision lies with the residents, but they will always be homeless if they do not earn a living wage. Minimum wage is, at the very least, a basic start.
Why do you charge poor, homeless people to stay at TVO?
Do you pay rent or make a house payment? Does someone provide all your necessities? Everyone should learn to be responsible for their lives in this world. That's a major programmatic endeavor at TVO.
Residents feel better as they become more responsible. Being responsible and proud of it is one step towards success.
Accommodations are often made to help a resident before the first paycheck arrives.
Does TVO have a high success rate?
TVO can only offer the opportunity for change—a person has to accept it. Those who choose to change their lives make this work worthwhile. We do offer the option of change to all who enter our door; it's their choice.
Will residents work for less than minimum wages?
TVO's residents usually have a very low self-image. Accepting less than minimum wages for work would further demean them. Therefore, we suggest they not accept employment for less than minimum wage. Of course the final decision lies with the residents, but they will always be homeless if they do not earn a living wage. Minimum wage is, at the very least, a basic start.
You are invited to visit Tennessee Valley Outreach and talk with residents and staff. —— jw
