The aim of the Shelter is to provide a stable and supportive environment to teens in crisis or transition. At such a critical juncture, this can help teens to avoid the downward spiral of increased state intervention and transient limbo. Structured days have specific times for waking up, chores, school, house meetings, visitations, and bed times. Residents receive consequences if they do not do what is expected of them, or if they act in an inappropriate manner. The hope is that bad behaviors will be associated with punishment, which will in turn get rid of the inappropriate behavior, or at least show that in the real world, just like at the shelter, consequences are given to those that break the law.
Consequences range from early bedtime to restrictions from recreational activities.
This strict structure allows the teens to know what is expected of them. The schedule that the residents have to follow provides the stability needed by the kids at the Amherst Shelter. With staff changes three times a day, and other interruptions like visitations, the stability arranged by the schedule makes it easier to survive the day. Jessica sits at the table eating breakfast with two of the other residents. As she talks, her chin falls to her swiveling neck and her eyebrows raise twice their normal height.