When a person is incarcerated they develop an institutional way of thinking. The pattern of decision- making and the development of social status are completely backwards from the way they should be. Individuals need to be de-programmed from this pattern of thinking and behaving.
The Monarch House is a transitional living facility that addresses this difficult period for students who have taken our classes while incarcerated. For selected students, The Monarch House will act as a transition from institutionalism into freedom. The program of the house consists of four phases. The first phase to a former inmate will feel a lot like being incarcerated. Their contact with family members will continue to be cut off and they will not have the freedom to make their own decisions. While they are in this phase, they will be re-trained to make decisions on their own again. They will be trained to improve their social status through work ethic and the Golden Rule, instead of by bullying and manipulation. Over a period of about 18 months, they will gradually receive more freedom as they progress through four phases. Once they enter phase four, we will assist them in procuring a vehicle and home/apartment of their own.
Currently The Monarch House is operating through a merger with Esther’s House. Esther’s House is a well-established, well-respected transitional house in the South Dallas area. Seed Sowers has merged The Monarch House with Esther’s House for a period of time so that we will have a transitional home to place our students while we are waiting to raise the funds to open our own house in the Collin County Area.
Our goal is to purchase land in the Collin County area in order to realize our vision for the Monarch House—a permanent home on several acres with horses, goats and other farm animals, as well as a garden. These things are very important for the growth of our residents. Animals will provide therapy and offer comfort to women who have lost their children to CPS, as well as teaching them discipline through responsibility. Similarly, the garden will afford the opportunity to learn discipline and a good work ethic, along with providing food.
We will have a fully-staffed childcare facility with trained professionals who will help reverse the damage the mothers have done to their children during their addiction. In addition we will build either a small apartment complex or a duplex on the property to house graduates from The Monarch House. This will further fulfill our goal of teaching them responsibility while allowing them the opportunity to build their rent history. After completing The Monarch House 18-month program and maintaining a solid rent history with us for one year, our hope is that other apartment complexes and landlords will give our graduates a second chance in life despite their felony charge.