Upon admission to the residency program, women define both short-term and long-term goals and objectives. Weekly goals are established and the houseparents meet with residents regularly to review progress. Progress, reporting, and accountability are established through this process. The goal-setting process focuses on three areas: Spiritual, Educational, and Personal. The houseparents counsel and advise women as they work toward achieving their goals. Each student’s situation and goals are unique and are tied to the vision each woman creates for her future and the future of her children. The motivation and commitment to change stimulated by the goal process encourages success.

Spiritual

Participants may develop goals related to introduction and affirmation of a Christian lifestyle and moral values. Often women seek development and growth in spiritual, religious, and Biblical matters.

Educational

Initially, educational goals include the 12-week core curriculum of life skills and job readiness education. Participants begin to establish goals and understand the goal-setting process. Working closely with the houseparents, women adopt a structure and discipline for meeting educational goals. They begin to concentrate on organizing, prioritizing, and implementing the lessons taught in the Christian Women’s Job Corps program.

Academically, participants are encouraged to complete GED (General Educational Development or high school diploma equivalency) requirements, or attend classes at the community college or university level.

Personal

Residents often establish several personal goals and continue to add personal goals as they see progress during their stay at My Father’s House Lubbock. The relationship with their children dominates most residents’ personal objectives lists. Goals related to the improvement of parenting skills can include establishing family routines, discipline, nurturing skills, setting and enforcing bedtime, communication, infant care, and encouragement of school achievement.

Transition

As a resident’s objectives are being reached, a transition plan is developed among the resident, executive director, and houseparents. The transition steps may include job, education, apartment, furniture, vehicle, children, family, and other matters. The individualized plan will establish milestones in the transitional period. My Father’s House Lubbock seeks to facilitate the transition to independent living through financial, employment, child care, and other measures.