Page 244 of Nyx

"We can't rush their recovery," Slick says. "Some will do better in three months, some could take a year."

"We don't want that either," Kincaid says.

"But we also can't keep building houses for everyone, and we can't help more women if we fill up and no one transitions to their own places either."

"That's going to be the issue," Slick says. "I'm not saying don't provide them with everything they need to be happy while they're here, but there has to be a timeline in place for them to take back over their own lives. It's a sticky situation."

"Yeah," Hound says. "Who would ever want to leave if they have everything they could ever want here?"

"But we also can't make it a situation they want to leave just for the sake of getting away from whatever may be making them uncomfortable here," Kincaid says.

"A program with steps," Slick offers. "A healing journey where every aspect of their recovery is nurtured. I think if we work with them and they know that the end goal is freedom from everything holding them down or holding them back, including their dependence on our shelter, it could go a long way in helping them gain the courage to face the world again at some point."

"Our program at Juniper House is already geared for that," Kincaid says.

"Then we're already in a position to make this happen," Slick responds. "I don't think individual housing is what they need if the goal is for them to want to live on their own."

"I don't either," Hound says. "I think the group home setting, and lack of full control of a residence individually, is a silent nudge for them to work through their healing and get out on their own."

"Em said the meal schedule they set up is working, so that would reduce the need for staff," Kincaid says. "What else can we put in place that would reduce our manpower but also serve as a gentle nudge?"

"Mandatory groups," Slick offers. "Levels within the house."

"Levels?" Recon asks. "Like a hierarchy among the residents? That may create a little drama."

"Not a hierarchy," Slick says. "Individual plans, like steps. Step one could be admission and working through, finally feeling safe. It could include one-on-one therapy, routines, and other activities. Step two could be life-skills training, advancement to group sessions, small leadership roles within the house. Step three could include employment and education, saving money, etc. I could come up with a structure I think would work."

"And what keeps them from staying on step one just to avoid having to leave?" I ask because there will always be people who manipulate the things within their control.

"We would monitor each situation individually, of course, but I think there would have to be privileges they gain for moving to the next step," Slick says. "It would be a program they have to work through, not a landing place. If we really want to help women, they need to be able to help themselves eventually. Becoming fully dependent on us for the rest of their lives doesn't change much from their dependence on their abusers, other than the fact that we don't hurt them."

"I agree with that," Kincaid says. "Privileges?"

"Unless children are involved, steps one and two could include a shared room," Slick offers. "Step three could mean a private room."

"That increases our capacity," Shadow adds. "And would encourage them to work through the steps to gain that next level of privacy."

"And if they don't want to share a room?" Hound asks, but the question seems like he's trying to take it into consideration to head off an issue before there is one.

"It's a program," Shadow says. "After full vetting, they'll have to be informed of what they're getting into. We aren't trying to hide anything or trick them, but they'll have to agree to program rules in order to participate."

"If it were also possible, we could use Juniper House in Town as sort of a first step program," Slick says. "We could have them there for a couple of weeks. It would let the heightened fear and adrenaline settle before they moved to the facility here. We could start their counseling and work through issues that can be resolved quickly. Reestablish positive family and friend connections. Some women just need a little time to get it together. Not all of them need an extensive program, so some women would be filtered out."

"That's true," Shadow says as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"I hate the idea of women having to wait while we get all of this together," Kincaid mutters as if the weight of everyone is on his shoulders.

"Could we keep the three we have here and reopen Juniper House while we iron all the rest of it out?" I ask.

"That's possible," Shadow says, looking at Kincaid.

"We could start the new program direction there," Slick says. "We wouldn't have to wait, but I think they'll need to have some time alone before going into a shared room situation."

"I agree," Kincaid says. "We'll get all of that together, and I think after we've vetted the women who have applied recently, we can have it all together at least for Juniper House. Any issues or concerns?"

Kincaid looks around the room, making eye contact with all of us as if trying to evaluate anything anyone might now want to say.

He stands to his full height once he's done looking around the room.