Host FAQs
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A Joey is a student in your area who lives with you (paying you rent) and works for you (earning hourly wages). Joeys provide support based on your personal “Joey job description” crafted specifically to meet your needs. Typically, Joeys help with things like walking a dog, driving, or getting groceries, but it really depends on what you’d like to get off your to-do list. We cover Joey tasks in more detail in the FAQ below: “Can a Joey help me with [this]?”
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Our favorite question! Here are a few things Joey’s can help with that we have heard are beneficial:
Pet Care: walking Fido, scooping Socks’ cat litter, refills for pet care items
Meals & Shopping (Nutrition): grocery lists, shopping, meal prep and cooking, document heirloom family recipes (and teach us how to make those chocolate chip cookies!)
Out & About (Social & Physical Activity): driving to and from friends, community events or classes; walks and other physical activity
Odd Jobs & Up-Keep: home maintenance, scheduling/interviewing vendors for repairs, trips to the hardware store for minor updates
Digital Literacy: tech & internet support, video chat support for virtual get-togethers, remote control button expert
Neat & Tidy (Safety): tidy walkways, clean up spills, help prevent trips and falls
Hobbies / Spending Time Together: board game partner, mini book club, ‘top-shelf-reacher’
Schedules & Routines (‘Cruise Director’): plan days filled with joy, variety and getting done what needs to get done
Child Care: school pickups, activity schedules and family calendars, enriching kid-friendly fun
Hygiene: drug store basics & shampoo refills, trips to the salon/barber, noticing changes to routine (bathing, teeth)
Financial Health Reminders: reminders for on-time bill pay, transportation to bank / financial planning appointments
Medical & Medication Communication: medication reminders, assist communication, transportation, first aid, pharmacy pick ups
Don’t see something you need? We’d love to speak with you directly about how you envision a Joey making your life easier - contact us.
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While there may be variation in the duration of each step, in general, the Host sign up process goes:
1/ Sign Up: You fill out an interest form / simple application here
2/ Intake & Search: JoeyCo gets to know you and what you are looking for. We help you draft your personal Joey job description and market your living space to students (prospective Joeys)
3/ Matching: JoeyCo recommends students (Joeys) that match your job criteria. We’ll facilitate a meet-and-greets to confirm that you’re a fit
4/ Logistics: We help you work out the details of the employment contract and rental agreement process
5/ Getting Everyone on the Same Page: We help you set expectations with your new Joey housemate via a House Rules & Norms process. There is also a brief training that must be completed before move-in to make ensure all members of the JoeyCo community are on the same page about trust and safety, as well as our community values and appropriate conduct
6/ Move in! We will be there to help this day and your first few weeks together go as smoothly as possible
7/ Monthly Support: We don’t just disappear. We have regular check-ins with both you and your Joey to ensure things are still going smoothly. We are always just a call away.
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Yes, you are welcome to complete the initial interest form on behalf of a family member. Since the unique nature of successfully matching a Host and a Joey, the Host will need to be involved in the interview process (see step 3 above) and must participate in House Rules & Norms.
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Prospective Hosts must:
1/ Have safe living conditions including a private room with a locked door for Joey to occupy, as well as a bathroom for the Joey to use
2/ Only require support that is within a Joey’s scope
3/ Pass a criminal background check
Once you are a Host, you have two, maybe three roles:
You are the landlord in a rental agreement with your Joey.
You are the employer of your Joey.
We hope you are also your Joey’s friend, mentor, and so much more!
JoeyCo will help you with the logistics and details associated with the landlord and employer roles. We will also provide structure and support to make friendship as likely as possible, but that one is a little more up to you :)
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Each Joey match is unique and designed for fun connections. Both individuals must “opt-in” to living and working together. We believe there is a little magic in matching the Host/Joey pairs. Of course there are some basics like geographic area, job qualifications and housing preferences. But the ‘special sauce’ is when we find people who come alive with the same hobbies, passions, and interests. We’ll find you a knitting companion, fellow green thumb, or Tolkien enthusiast.
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JoeyCo is committed to the safety of our community. At a minimum, a background check is conducted for all Host Home residents and prospective Joeys. Other JoeyCo vetting includes:
Host Space Requirements: JoeyCo will confirm the Host Home living space intended for a Joey is sufficient for Joey rental
Interviews & Reference Checks: In depth intake and other interviews are conducted by the JoeyCo team of both Hosts and Joeys prior to any introductions. JoeyCo always performs at least two reference checks for Joey candidates. JoeyCo may also conduct reference checks of current and prospective Host Home residents, as needed.
Student Training: Students are required to complete the Joey 101 training program before moving into a Host Home for the first time to ensure a consistent level of professionalism and service to Hosts
Community Commitments: There is also a brief training that must be completed before move-in by all members of the JoeyCo community to ensure we are all on the same page about trust and safety, as well as our community values and appropriate conduct. This course concludes with a commitment to our Code of Conduct.
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Today, you can hire a Joey in California.
Interested in JoeyCo service in your area? Contact us!