Moving into a new place is always a mix of nerves and hope. This page is here to remove the uncertainty from the practical side of it so you can focus on what matters.
Below is everything you need to know before you arrive: what to pack, what to leave behind, how move-in day works, and what the first week looks like. Case managers: this page is designed to be shared with clients before placement. A print-friendly version is available at the bottom of the page.
A few things do not belong at Tuscawilla Place. This list is short because the reasoning behind each item is the same: this is a 100 percent sober, safe community and these items do not belong in it.
Zero tolerance on campus. No exceptions. Do not bring any substance onto the property.
No weapons of any kind are permitted on campus.
Any item prohibited under the house rules. If you are not sure whether something is allowed, ask Paul before move-in.
Move-in is an individual process. Arrange for any personal support before or after you are settled.
If you have concerns about the house rules, the payment schedule, or anything else, raise them before move-in. The intake call with Paul is the right time.
When you arrive at Tuscawilla Place on move-in day, here is what to expect.
The onsite manager or a team member will collect it and get you oriented to the campus. That orientation covers your living space, the shared areas, the house rules, your assigned chores, and the daily and weekly schedule.
You will meet other residents. The community here is part of how the campus works. Most people find the first conversation easier than they expected.
Your first Friday payment is due the Friday after you move in, during the payment window between 3:00 and 6:30 pm. Plan for it before you arrive.
If you have questions about anything on move-in day, the house manager is on campus. Ask.
The first week has a rhythm. Here is how it flows.
The onsite house manager or a team member will orient you to the campus, show you your space, walk you through the house rules, introduce you to the community, and assign your first chores. Attend a meeting on campus that evening if the schedule allows.
Get familiar with the campus, the community, and the daily schedule. Attend recovery meetings. Complete your assigned chores. Let yourself settle.
Begin looking for employment if you are not yet working. Talk to house manager about the nearby employment agency and the SunTran bus route. Attend the weekly house meeting. Pay your first Friday payment: between 3:00 and 6:30 pm.
Payment in cash between 3:00 and 6:30 pm. The payment window is followed by a meeting. This is the weekly rhythm from here forward.
The structure becomes routine. Meetings, chores, payments, and work. Build momentum. Use the campus community for support. Focus forward.
Active participation in recovery meetings is required for all residents. The good news is that you do not have to go looking for one. Tuscawilla Place hosts 18 AA meetings on campus every week.
In your first week, attend as many meetings as you can get to. The community you meet in those meetings is the same community you are living with. That connection makes everything else easier.
The full meeting schedule is on the AA Meetings page and updated regularly.
If you are not already employed, start the job search in your first week. Financial stability is one of the cornerstones of lasting recovery and the location makes it genuinely accessible.
A temporary employment agency is located nearby that places workers in skilled and unskilled positions across the Ocala area. Talk to Paul about it during your first week. He can point you in the right direction.
The SunTran bus route runs near the campus and connects residents to employment, grocery stores, medical appointments, and other services without needing a car. Free parking is available on campus for residents who do have a vehicle.
Building a productive daily routine from day one makes the first week significantly easier than waiting until week three to start.
This page is designed to be shared with clients before their move-in date. Everything on it is written in plain language that residents can read and understand before they arrive.
A print-friendly version of this page is available using your browser’s print function. The page is formatted to print cleanly as a one to two page handout. Or save as a PDF and email it to your client directly.
To confirm placement details, check current availability, or discuss a grant-funded placement, see the Referral Partner page or call us directly at (352) 622-6023.
You need cash for your first Friday payment, which is due the Friday after you arrive during the payment window between 3:00 and 6:30 pm. Having both amounts ready before you arrive makes move-in day simpler.
Yes. Free parking is available on campus for residents who have a vehicle. If you do not have a car, the SunTran bus route runs near the campus and provides access to employment, grocery stores, medical appointments, and essential services.
A government-issued photo ID is strongly recommended because it is required for employment applications and many other services. If you do not have one, talk to Paul before or during your first week. He can point you toward local resources that assist with ID recovery.
'Yes, a family member or case manager is welcome to accompany you on move-in day for the orientation and getting settled.' Example if not: 'Move-in is an individual process. Arrange for any personal support before or after the orientation.'
Call or text the onsite house manager directly. He is on campus and will walk you through anything that is not covered here.
