What to Bring — and What to Leave Behind — When You Move In

Deciding to come to Fern House is the hard part. Packing for it shouldn't be. Walking into a recovery residence for the first time can feel like stepping into the unknown, and one of the easiest ways to steady those first hours is to arrive prepared. You don't need much — what matters most, you're already bringing: the decision to do the work.

What to bring: clothing for about two weeks, comfortable and weather-appropriate, plus something a little nicer for meetings and job interviews. Your personal hygiene basics. Identification and documents — your ID, insurance card if you have one, and any court or program paperwork. Any current medications in their original, labeled containers, which staff will review with you at intake. A phone and charger to stay connected to family and responsibilities. And something that grounds you: a Bible or reading, photos of the people you're doing this for, a journal.

What to leave behind: any alcohol or non-prescribed substances — Fern House is a substance-free home, without exception, and that protects you and every man here. Valuables you'd worry about; keep it simple. And the weight of yesterday — you can't unpack the guilt and the past all at once, and you don't have to. Bring the willingness; we'll help with the rest.

If you're unsure about a specific item, just ask when you call. There's no wrong question, and no one here is keeping score. The men who greet you have stood exactly where you're standing. You're not moving into a facility — you're moving into a house, with structure, with brothers, and with a door that's open because someone believed you were worth the room.