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What we do
As hospital stays become shorter, the need for aftercare becomes even greater. But when one is homeless, at-home care, obviously, is not an option.
In fact, when homeless individuals are released from the hospital, they often find themselves back in the emergency room, sometimes again admitted into the hospital. This often results in longer lengths of stay and higher daily hospital charges. The Greater Richmond Respite Program attempts to end this cycle by offering homeless adults a stable and supportive environment in which to continue their aftercare.
Who we help
This 30-day respite program provides a supportive environment to homeless adults who have recently been released from the hospital, but who are too sick to stay at traditional shelters. During their stay, a full-time case manager oversees and monitors the progress of patients and helps them secure benefits and permanent housing, if available.
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Who supports us
Freedom House leases a facility on the campus of Rubicon located in Highland Park , a not-for-profit drug treatment center, providing 24-hour supervision of the 20 individuals who are in the program at any given time.
Funding is provided by The Jenkins Foundation, Richmond Behavioral Health Authority, Chesterfield and Henrico Mental Health Departments, Virginia Nonprofit Housing Coalition, VCU Health System, Bon Secours Health System, HCA Richmond Hospitals and United Way Services.
How you can help
Volunteers are needed to help in day-to-day operations and with administrative tasks, including helping to find housing for clients; conducting research for clients needing to know more about their particular health conditions; or by simply providing comfort and keeping residents company.
Program history
The program was created in 1999 after the homeless service providers of the greater Richmond area determined that some type of aftercare was necessary for individuals being released from local hospitals following surgery, medical treatment or mental health treatment.
The respite program ran for two years under the direction of Homeward, a coordinating agency for the homeless services system, and its advisory board. In 2001, Homeward and the advisory board asked for a direct service provider to assume the day-to-day operations. Freedom House stepped forward and agreed to manage the program beginning September 1, 2001.
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