NEW SOIL SOBER LIVING RESIDENT HANDBOOK

WELCOME TO NEW SOIL

OUR 3 NON-NEGOTIABLES

When you're here:

You will stay sober
You will train jiu jitsu
You will go to AA/NA meetings

That's it

If you are not willing to do those 3 things, this is not the place for you

If you have a disability that prevents you from doing those 3 things, this is not the place for you

We care deeply about helping you reconstruct your life. But we also believe you must take ownership of it. We are not here to control every decision you make or tell you what your life has to look like forever

If you leave New Soil and never want to do Jiu Jitsu again, that's fine

If you decide AA isn't for you after you leave, that's your decision

If you eventually decide you want to make different choices about how you live your life, those choices are yours to make

But while you're here, you stay sober, you train Jiu Jitsu, and you go to meetings

Those three things are the foundation of the New Soil experience. From there, we will help you figure out what kind of life you want to build and give you the tools and support to go make it happen

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

7:00AM-9:00AM Wake up, exercise, yoga, meditation, breakfast, clean up, personal hygiene, journal, free time
9:00AM-10:00AM Personal Plan for the Day (PPFD) group discussion
Topics: recovery goals, career goals, health/fitness goals, potential triggers and solutions, etc
We ask ourselves "What am I going to do today to become the kind of man I want to be?"
10:00AM-12:00PM Jiu Jitsu
12:00PM-2:00PM Showers, lunch, clean up, chores, free time
2:00PM-4:00PM Group therapy
4:00PM-6:00PM Free time, Dinner
6:00PM-9:30PM Travel to and from outside AA/NA meeting, then free time until reflections group
9:30PM-10:30PM Reflections group
Topics: What am I grateful for?
Did I make myself and the people around me-better or worse today? Was I an asset or a liability?
If someone watched everything I did today, would they believe I was serious about changing my life?
What did I do wrong? What did I do right? What/how can I improve tomorrow?
10:30PM-11:00PM Personal hygiene
11:00PM Lights out

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Weekends will have more flexibility and will provide opportunities for residents to participate in activities that support recovery, rebuild family connections, personal interests, and healthy recreation

Weekend activities will include:

Religious services
Family visits
Recovery events
Volunteer work
Televised sporting events, including UFC, college football, and NFL games
Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and other martial arts events
Outdoor adventure and recreational activities
Cultural and community events, such as state and county fairs
Other activities are based on resident interests, season, weather, and availability

Resident input is encouraged. We welcome requests and suggestions for weekend activities and will consider opportunities that are appropriate for the house and consistent with our program expectations

Weekends are flexible, but they are not completely unstructured. BJJ training and a daily 12-Step meeting remain on the schedule. During their time at New Soil, residents will complete a 90 & 90 attending a 12-Step meeting every day for 90 consecutive days. Outside of those commitments, residents have flexibility to spend time with family, attend religious services, enjoy local activities, or simply relax and recharge

WEEKLY OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

In addition to our regular schedule, New Soil will have one full-day outdoor adventure each week, typically on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday

Activities will vary based on the season, weather, and available opportunities and include:

Hiking and exploring local trails
Winter sports: snowboarding. skiing, tubing
Kayaking, rafting, and other water activities
Disc golf
Other seasonal outdoor adventures

The goal is to get residents out of the house, away from screens and routine distractions, and into challenging, healthy, and memorable experiences together

HOUSE RULES & POLICIES

BATHROOMS

Residents are responsible for keeping their showers, sinks, mirrors, toilets, and floors clean

Leave nothing on the sink. If you don't have a toiletry case or shower caddy, one will be provided
Do not use another residents' toiletries
Limit your showers to ten minutes
Leave the shower curtain fully extended and make sure the floor is dry before leaving
Do not flush anything but toilet paper. If the toilet becomes clogged, notify staff immediately
Empty the trash every morning and replace the toilet paper as needed
Hang towels only on towel hooks or racks, not on doors or dresser drawers
Turn off the faucets, lights, heat, and fan before leaving

BEDROOMS

Residents must make their beds every day
Do not store clothes, books, or any other items on your bed
Never enter another resident's room without him being present
Bedrooms must be kept clean and organized throughout the day
Sheets must be changed or washed weekly
Keep closets neat and organized
Do not pin or tape anything directly onto the walls
Clothes must be on hangers, in drawers, or in the hamper
Residents are responsible for emptying garbage cans every day
No items may be stored or placed within 6 inches of any electric baseboard heater
Lights and fans are to be turned off when you are not in your room
Doors are never to be locked
Food, cups, glasses, and bottles are not allowed in bedrooms
Rooms are subject to search at any time
Residents are responsible for the safekeeping of their own cash and valuables. Each resident will be provided with an individual lockbox for secure storage

CARS

After 45 days, residents may earn the privilege of having a personal vehicle with Director approval. Vehicles may be used for employment, job searching, attending school, or exploring educational opportunities. Car privileges may be revoked for failure to follow house policies

Vehicles are subject to search by staff at any time
Vehicles are subject to mileage check before and after use
Keys must be given to staff; violations will result in loss of car privileges
Residents will be drug tested following the use of their vehicles

CHORES

A chore list will be posted, and residents are responsible for finishing their chore(s) by the end of the day

COFFEE USAGE

Resident coffee intake is monitored for caffeine abuse

COMMON BATHROOMS

Be sure to flush and put the lid down after using common bathrooms
If you finish a roll of toilet paper, please replace it

COMPUTERS

Computers will be available to residents if they don't have one
Computers may only be used for school, work, obtaining employment, or looking for housing
Personal laptops are allowed but must remain downstairs at all times
Laptops will be secured in a locked location when not in use
PROHIBITED WEBSITES: Social media (Tik Tok, Instagram, etc), gambling (Draft Kings, FanDuel, Kalshi, etc), dating, pornography, music downloading websites, multi-player online games, and torrent file downloading websites
Music cannot be downloaded onto New Soil computers. Music may be kept on a USB drive to be transferred to your music device or you may download music to your device when you are on a home pass
All web site traffic is monitored and logged

DRESS CODE

Hats, sunglasses or hoods are not allowed in the house
Pajama bottoms are not permitted outside of your bedroom
Residents are not permitted to leave the premises in sweatpants, pajamas or gym clothes

DRUG TESTING

All residents will be drug tested upon arrival and randomly throughout their stay. Any resident that tests positive will be immediately discharged. Refusal is grounds for discharge
If a resident is found with drugs, alcohol, or paraphernalia, they will be discharged immediately

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Fire drills will be performed at various times, according to state regulations
During any fire drill or emergency evacuation, all residents are to calmly exit the house using the nearest exit and walk directly to the shed located in the back yard. All residents must remain there until directed by staff to return inside

FIRES

Bonfires are not permitted
No open flame or fire of any type is allowed in the house (i.e. lighters, matches, candles, etc)

ENERGY DRINKS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Residents may consume a maximum of one 16-ounce energy drink (Red Bull, Monster, etc) per day
Protein powders or supplements such as creatine are permitted

FOOD

Any food in the house is accessible to all residents. There is no personal food

GYM AND YOGA STUDIO

Hours: 6:00AM-10:00PM

Music must be turned off when unattended
Weights must be re-racked and benches wiped off after use
No food is permitted
Never leave glasses, bottles, cans, towels, or clothing in the gym or studio
Shoes are not allowed on the yoga mats
These are shared spaces and must be kept clean and orderly

Physical fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle in recovery, and residents are encouraged to exercise. Developing the habit of regular physical training while at New Soil can help establish a healthy routine that residents can carry with them long after they leave

DOJO

*NO SPARRING*
*NO STRIKING*

Bow and say "OSU!" (pronounced UHSS!) when entering and leaving dojo. This is Japanese for "I will persevere"

In martial arts, "Osu" is commonly used as an expression of respect, commitment, perseverance, and willingness to learn. At New Soil, "Osu" represents a simple mindset: show up, leave your ego at the door, listen, learn, and keep going. It is also a signal that it's time to focus on training. While you're on the mats, you can set aside-at least for a moment-the stress and difficulties of early sobriety and focus on the task in front of you. The word is a reminder that progress comes from being willing to do the work, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. Osu is an affirmation that your focus is on training, learning, and becoming a better version of yourself

No shoes or socks permitted
The foot bath must always be used before stepping on the mat
Remove all jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces, piercings, watches, etc)
Keep fingernails and toenails short and maintain personal hygiene before and after training
Wash gear after every training session
All Jiu Jitsu/grappling will be done in the dojo and nowhere else on the premises

For everyone's safety, training at New Soil begins with technique drilling in a controlled environment. Once trust has been established and residents have demonstrated that they can train safely and responsibly with one another, we gradually add resistance to the techniques.

Residents who consistently demonstrate good control and safe training habits may eventually participate in limited positional sparring, such as escaping mount, escaping a headlock, or working specific positions. This allows residents to hone their skills while keeping the training safe, controlled and focused

If you're eager to pressure-test your Jiu-Jitsu in a less controlled environment, we can arrange a visit to a local MMA/BJJ gym for you to participate in live sparring under that gym's rules and supervision

HYGIENE

Showers are to be taken during the day and not after lights out
Shower after using the gym, dojo or any yard work
Sweaty or dirty clothes are not allowed at groups or meals
Do not let dirty laundry pile up

PHONES

Headphones are not permitted to be used during groups, meals, house meetings, or 12 step meetings
Violations will result in the loss of your device
Phones can be confiscated if residents use them as a distraction or to isolate
Residents may have their smartphones after 14 days. During the first 14 days, residents may use staff phones to contact family, spouses, medical professionals and jobs
Staff will not tell a caller that you are here unless you sign a release for that caller
Our number: 570-798-7555
Phones can never be borrowed from, or shared, with other residents
Phones are not to be used during jiu jitsu training, outside 12 step meetings or during house groups
Excessive use of phones or repeated violation of house rules will result in loss of privileges

KITCHEN

Never leave a cup, glass, or dish on the counter or in the sink; Clean it thoroughly and place it in the drying rack

LAUNDRY ROOM

Hours: 6:00AM-10:00PM

Remove your clothes from the washer/dryer as soon as they are done
Don't leave clothes in the machines overnight
Clean the lint screen before and after using the dryer
Ask staff for help with machine operation and detergent use

LIGHTS OUT

Sunday through Thursday: 11:00PM
Friday and Saturday: midnight

The TV must be off and residents in their rooms at lights out
Only reading lamps are allowed to be on after lights out

MAIL, FED EX, UPS

New Soil LLC
Hidden for our residents' privacy
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
All packages must be opened with a staff member

MEALS

Lunch and dinner are eaten together as a community
Meals are not over until everyone is finished
Everyone will help clean up after mealtime
If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, notify staff immediately
Residents may submit requests when the chef prepares the weekly lunch and dinner menu
Residents are not permitted to prepare their own meals
Food is only permitted in the kitchen and dining room, nowhere else

MEDICATIONS

All prescription and over-the-counter medications must be turned over to staff upon arrival
Notify staff of any allergic reactions to medications
Medications are dispensed each morning after PPFD and each night after Reflections Group
Residents may take prescription medications prescribed or continued by their treating physician during or following their rehabilitation stay
Any medications obtained from other providers prior to admission must be reviewed and verified by the resident's current treating physician before they may be taken at the residence
New or additional prescriptions must be medically appropriate, properly prescribed, and disclosed to New Soil Staff. Residents may not obtain medications from multiple providers for the purpose of obtaining unnecessary or duplicate prescriptions
All medications must be taken exactly as prescribed. Medications will be stored in a locked, secure location and taken under the observation of management
Any over-the-counter items and prescription medications must be given to staff when they enter the house
Do not stop or adjust medications without your doctor's approval
Notify staff immediately when starting, stopping, or changing, medications or dosages
Do not share any medication with other residents

MEETING ROOM

Do not leave glasses, cups, cans, bottles, or trash anywhere in the meeting room area
Never place drinks on the floor
Shoes are not allowed on furniture
Do not leave any personal items in the meeting room area

MEETINGS

Residents are expected to conduct themselves respectfully and appropriately at all AA and NA meetings, and respect the rules and guidelines established by each individual meeting
When the meeting is over, help put away chairs and tables before leaving

MONEY

Residents are not allowed to lend or give money to one another

RECYCLING

Only cans and bottles with a 5¢ deposit may be recycled
Rinse out recyclables before putting them in containers
Recycling containers are located in the gym and kitchen
Recyclables may not be used as ashtrays or spittoons

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Residents are free to attend local worship services. Travel arrangements must be made before 12:00pm on Friday

SMOKING / VAPING

Vaping / smoking is allowed only on the back patio
Cigarette butts must be put in ashtrays and never in inside garbage cans

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is provided for residents for doctor appointments, job interviews, and other necessary trips.
If a resident is discharged from New Soil for violating house rules, we will provide transportation to the Stroudsburg Bus Station:
1082 Foxtown Hill Rd, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

TV

TV use will be monitored for appropriate content
The TV may never left on and unattended

VISITATION

Residents are not permitted to have visits for their first 2 weeks at New Soil
After the first 2 weeks, residents are allowed weekend visits from their family members with staff approval starting on Saturday or Sunday at noon
Residents may spend the day off premises with family
All residents must be back to New Soil by 4:30 pm
All visitors must enter through the main entrance
All items brought by family members, or purchased while out, must be checked by staff before they are brought into the house

VISITS WITH SIGNIFICANT OTHERS

Visits from a significant other may be considered after 30 days
Visits from a significant other are only allowed with parental and management approval
They are permitted on Saturdays or Sundays from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Residents must refrain from public displays of affection
Significant others are not permitted upstairs without management
If you are caught engaging in sexual activity on the premises, you will be considered for immediate discharge.

HOME VISITS

Home visits will be considered after the resident has been at New Soil for 30 Days

Requirements for home visits: Completion of a Home Pass Agreement, director approval, parental approval and a sponsor

Visits are for mending family relationships and rebuilding trust, not for rekindling relationships with old friends or significant others
Residents are required to attend one AA/NA meeting daily
Residents are to honor all staff and family rules established for the visit
Residents are required to check in with New Soil daily while away
Residents will be drug tested upon return