Frequently Asked Questions

The monthly sober lodging fee at the Giving Tree is $840 a month with an initial $150 deposit. We can and do prorate. We do not currently take medi-cal or insurance. Residents or their loved ones pay their own sober lodging fees. Refunds are available when they are owed, and we take pride in that. Please call for our refund policy.

Bring the clothes, shoes and toiletries that  you use regularly. Residents have their own dresser and other various  storage drawers and shelves, along with a portion of a closet for  hanging items. You can bring hangers or use ours. Do not bring items you  do not use atleast monthly. There is ample room for cloths and a  person's needs and wants. There is not room for storage of items you  don't use regularly. For example: do not bring crates of books or snowboarding gear. We live by the beach and the library is two blocks away. Do not bring furniture. Bring what you use.

The Giving Tree provides all bedding and kitchen utensils needed, we get it  from Target and it is often new. However, it is nice to have ones own comfy blankies and extra pillows. So please feel free to bring what will make you the most comfortable and happy. We do have towels, but they are washed in hot water with bleach and can be rough. So, if you have a  nice big fluffy towel or two, please bring it. We do have coin operated laundry onsite. Residents are expected to do their own laundry including their bedding.

The Giving Tree has 2, 3 and 4 women rooms and three separate houses on one large property. All rooms and houses cost the same and are based on seniority and availability.  We have some bunk beds and some single beds. It is similar to collegiate or Euro Hostile living with a much homie flare. For a better understanding, please see the picture section or make an appointment for a walk through.

The Giving Tree provides an enormous amount of  fresh, dry and frozen food. We do however, not prepare your meals.  Residents cook like they would in a regular household. The Giving Tree  does not provide every single thing a resident may want or need to eat  but there is a lot of great food and we go to great pains to pick it up.  Our food pick up is currently Sat and Sun Morning and comes directly  from VONS, not old food bank food. We also go to Costco and Smart and  Final to buy food products such as Olive oil, coconut oil, pancake mix,  spices etc. So, if we don't have it, and you need it, go buy it. We have  freezers full of meat, much of it is local sustainably caught fresh  fish. We have tons of bread, fruit, vegetables, noodles, chips etc. We  also receive weekly local organically grown herbs and veg from community  gardens and.... we have a garden. What people usually need to buy is  their preferred kind of milk or coffee creamer, drinks and cheese. We  don't have everything, but what we have is quality, and we have a lot.  All residents have a designated cabinet for their personal food items,  space in their house kitchen refrigerators and many rooms have mini  fridges. The Giving Tree does provide coffee, tea, sweetener etc. 

 (Word from the wise) "People  will use your coffee creamer so keep that in your in room fridge if you  don't want to share. AA people tend to drink a lot of coffee ...  so..."

Giving Tree residents are all ages and back grounds. We have retired empty nesters, professional women, teenagers and everything in between.

Yes, we are super nice and welcoming. It's part of recovery to be kind. Most residents have been thorough a lot and it is a supporting and loving environment where you can emotionally relax.

Coffee creamer, sometimes ice cream. Other than that, you're pretty safe. Don't leave cash on your dresser.

Men are welcomed to visit on one of the two outside patios. They help us move heavy stuff, fix things and Bar B Q. We like men, however, they are not allowed inside the house at all unless they are workmen and escorted by staff. We have a designated bathroom they use in special circumstances We also prefer them to visit for a relatively short duration unless we are having an event. No one wants to come outside with their teeth unbrushed and have dudes around. It's our little sanctuary and they have their own. So please be respectful when you go to their house also.

Pets are often very affected by the instability of their primary caregiver's substance use and it is sad. Unfortunately, we have very limited space even for licensed support animals. Well behaved dogs can visit and often spend the night, a doggy pass. We love animals. we just can't care for all these people and their pets too. The Giving Tree has indoor/outdoor kitties. If you are allergic, please let us know as middle house is a no cat house and you are not required to be around cats or pets if you don't want to be or are allergic. We also have a turtle that wanders about. His name is Einstein. One of the managers has a little old dog and one of the residents has a little old dog. Our dog beds are full.