Every Wednesday evening after dinner, the women at Nellie’s gather in the living room for a House Meeting. This presents an opportunity to spend time with one another, bond over snacks, and discuss important house issues.

Lil, one of our consellors and Monica our house coordinator facilitate this meeting.  The meeting usually starts with a check-in, where every woman has the opportunity to share with the group how she’s feeling and how her week is going. There is often a ‘question of the day’ incorporated into the check-in which spurs creativity and openness. The House Meeting is not simply a space where chores, announcements and needed household items are discussed; it is also a very inclusive and validating space.

(Lil and Monica co-ordinate Nellie’s House Meetings)

Every week, the women have a chance to thank and appreciate one another. For example, a women might thank another women in the house for helping her with her laundry or with childcare. Whenever a women comes to her first House Meeting, she is welcomed with a round of applause and given words of encouragement from the other women in the house. It is also a space for women to share what kind of programming that they are interested in, which will later be incorporated into the agenda by the programming staff. Sometimes, there are guest speakers on topics which range in discussion from affordable housing to racism to transphobia. Other times the meeting includes relaxation and reflection exercises such as meditation.  At the end of each meeting, staff hold a raffle for prizes for the women.

The House Meetings at Nellie’s bring women together, encourage discussion, processing and problem-solving, and most importantly, create a sense of community.