Policies
It is our hope that people staying at the Hands of Compassion will feel that they are at a place where they are loved and safe. In order to maintain that feeling of safety, we ask that our guests follow a few simple rules.
1. The Hands of Compassion Ministry (HOC) is a Christian ministry. As such, we require all guests to adhere to the Christian principles on which this ministry is built.
2. HOC provides temporary housing as well as spiritual, physical, and emotional support to patients and caregivers who are being served by the Mayo Clinic. The ministry has two houses, one short-term (1-5 days), and one longer term (1-14 days).
3. All HOC facilities and the Rochester church of Christ are scent-free environments. We ask that you do not use essential oils, perfume, cologne, body spray, perfumed soaps, shampoos, sprays, lotions, or cleaning items during your stay. Scent free cleaning supplies are provided.
4. All guests agree to treat other guests, house parents, and others with respect.
5. Smoking and vaping are not allowed on any HOC property (in or around house/driveway/parking lot)
6. Alcohol is not allowed on the property, and should not be consumed prior to arrival.
7. Vulgar language/profanity is not allowed, including in music, television, conversations, etc.
8. HOC is not equipped to accommodate animals.
9. HOC serves patients who are age 12 or older. Please note that parents/guardians are required to stay with children ages 12 and up. We are unable to accommodate younger children.
10. HOC cannot provide medical care. A caregiver is required for any guest who is planning surgery, who will need assistance with daily living activities, etc.
11. Guests are welcome to use the desktop computer and to print any needed documents. A small donation of $.10 per page is appreciated.
12. Please allow the house parents to answer the door. For your safety, the exterior doors to the houses are kept locked with a coded entry. Do not give the door code to anyone.
13. If you would like to help with housekeeping, we greatly appreciate your assistance. Things like taking out the trash when full, or disinfecting counter tops, straightening up, and light cleaning are wonderful!
14. All linens will be laundered by HOC staff. If you need to wash personal laundry, please ask a house parent. If you need clean linens, towels, etc. please ask a houseparent.
15. HOC is not licensed to prepare meals for guests.
16. All food items must be stored and consumed in the kitchen/dining room area. Kitchens are available from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM for preparing light meals. Please limit your prep/cooking to 30 minutes.
a. All appliances must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
b. All countertops must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
c. Disposable dishes are provided
d. Reusable dishes, cups, dinnerware, pots and pans must be rinsed and put in the dishwasher for sterilization after each use.
e. Dining table, placemats and chairbacks must be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
f. All leftover food items and any opened container must be removed before you check out.
17. Quiet time is from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Guests are asked to stay in their room during these hours. Please do not move furniture or use the kitchen during this time. No television or other electronic musical device should be used in common areas during quiet time.
18. Before you leave, please be sure you gather all of your personal belongings from the guestroom, bathroom, kitchen, and pantry.
a. Strip bed sheets, blankets, and pillow cases (please leave mattress and pillow covers)
b. Place used linens and used towels and bathmat in the basket provided.
c. Wipe down the sink, shower, and toilet with cleaning supplies provided.
d. Clean out all personal food items from the refrigerator and the pantry
e. Clean refrigerator shelf of any spills or food particles with anti-bacterial wipes
f. Gather all personal garbage/recycling and place in bins behind the house
19. HOC operates solely through donations. Guests are asked to give as they are able and feel compelled to support the Hands of Compassion for future guests. We also ask that our guests tell their local congregations about HOC and encourage others to support this ministry. If you would like some promotional material to tell your friends about us, please ask!
Thank you so much for being willing to come stay with us! We are looking forward to having you.
During your stay, we would like to pray with you. We want to support you any way that we are able. Our goal is for this to be your home away from home. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and strive to treat each other and our guests with the love and concern we would provide our own family. There are many volunteers from the Rochester church of Christ who serve to make this ministry possible. They provide numerous gifts for our guests. We want you to feel the love of Jesus while you are here, and when you remember us.
“Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did this for one of my brothers, even the least of them, so you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40