House of Healing Residential Companion

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Residential Companion Description:

Plymouth Healing Communities (PHC) is a Washington non-profit organization dedicated to helping adults with chronic mental illness through supportive housing and companionship. PHC created Plymouth House of Healing (HoH) in 2001 as a place of solace and rest for people recovering from an acute mental health crisis. HoH companions commit to live at the house for one year, building community with residents transitioning out of inpatient mental health treatment. The four companions and four residents who live at the house pursue collective and personal healing while sharing meals, stories, and living space.  

Companions build restorative relationships with residents and collaborate with the program coordinator and with residents’ mental health service providers to support their recovery. Companionship is a practice of heart-to-heart care, and at its core is the act of presence. Companions are present to the full range of human experience, which encompasses trauma and despair as well as creativity and resilience.

The companion joins in a life of service with the other companions and the Program Coordinator and shares in creating a house life that supports each individual’s journey toward healing and wholeness. The companion shares in the responsibilities of daily life at the house, including meal planning and preparation, cleaning and maintenance duties and other tasks involved in operating this unique non-profit program. To ensure 24-hour availability at the house, at least one member of the companion team will be on shift at all times.

Specific Duties:

Invest in relationships with residents and with other companions

• Share conversation, meals, and living space with HoH residents
• Collaborate with other companions to generate shared commitments and to foster an atmosphere conducive to holistic healing
• Welcome new residents and support them in following their treatment plans
• Model self-awareness, sensitivity, and accountability
• Actively work to diffuse conflict by modeling direct and constructive engagement

Participate fully in the life of the community and support residents to do the same

• Join actively in daily routines, including community dinners and household chores
• Be present in the house on a regular basis as part of a 24/7 coverage plan
• Help to implement guidelines and to articulate expectations for participation in community life
• Learn, and help implement, crisis intervention and emergency plans for HoH

Supervision and Training

• Companions are accountable to one another and to Plymouth Healing Communities' Program Coordinator, Program Director, and Board of Directors.
• Weekly team meetings are facilitated by the Program Coordinator, who also meets one-on-one with companions to provide supervision and mentorship.
• Companions are expected to participate in ongoing training and to take advantage of personal/professional growth opportunities.
• Companions contribute to and gain an understanding of the ways in which trauma and oppression intersect within the mental health system.

Qualifications

Required -

• Age 21 or older
• Ability to respond to difficult situations and to problem-solve calmly and appropriately
• Commitment to service and an interest in working directly with people experiencing homelessness and/or people living with mental illnesses

Desired -

• Confidence, curiosity, and creativity within interpersonal relationships
• Exceptional communication and active listening skills
• Dedication to self-reflection and willingness to discuss goals for personal and professional growth
• Experience working within communities of color

• Experience with group living

We encourage people of all educational backgrounds and life experiences to apply. We prioritize candidates who demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and a commitment to undoing the stigma associated with mental illness.

Compensation:

The companion position is a year-long, live-in time of service with private room and board provided. In addition, a monthly stipend of $375, health and dental insurance, and a bus pass are provided. Each companion needs to be available on a flexible basis to assure that among the companions there will be coverage at HoH at all times. While companions may seek part-time work, study, or volunteer opportunities, the role and duties of companionship take priority throughout the year of service.

If Interested: please go to http://plyhc.org/residentialcompanionapplication and fill out the application. We have 2 openings for Residential Companions in February.

If you have any questions regarding the Residential Companion position, please contact the Director of Community and Social Services: chrisw@plyhc.org or jstuivenga@plyhc.org