Shelter in Snippets

Shelter was a holding pen for children awaiting placement in homes or other places. I spent a lot of time at shelter. It was kinda like open YDC but it wasn't punitive. YDC was just up the hill however and was run by the same people. Main floor was girls dorm south side, dining area west end, Kitchen north east rear corner, Nursery central north wall, admin front east. Lower level was boys dorm south side, common area and staff booth covered the back half of the lower floor. Maintenance and off limits took all other space. Upon your arrival at shelter you would get taken in to shower and a lice treatment was applied to your hair.. Your clothes were taken away and you were only allowed pajamas for your first week. You were not allowed outside. You were restricted to your dorm, dining area or lower common area. It had a fairly big playground area. If you were 13 you were allowed to smoke and cigarettes were provide. You had to ask at the staff booth for them. This place too had colour statuses. Brown was for newbie Visitors, phonecalls, and smoking were allowed. Red was restricted. It was reserved for those who were bad or had runaway. I spent a lot of time on Red. You weren't allowed to smoke. No visitors or phone calls Yellow. A step up from red. You were allowed outside in pajamas in sight of staff and still no smoking. But you weren't allowed offsite. no visitors or phone calls Blue You could go offsite for activities with staff. You were allowed to smoke, phone calls and visitors Green You could go offsite on passes. no restrictions. If you told staff where you were going they would sign you out. ..I never made it to this colour