Medical Respite coming soon to the Center of Opportunity
Gospel Rescue Mission at the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity will soon be able to offer medical respite care to the homeless on-site, through a partnership with Catholic Community Services.
Catholic Community Services broke ground on Tucson’s first and only Medical Respite Center for Men and Women Experiencing Homelessness last month to provide post-hospital services to persons experiencing homelessness who are injured or ill, and have no place to recover. The program is accomplished in partnership with El Rio Health (providing medical care), Catholic Community Services (providing housing and supportive services), Gospel Rescue Mission (managing partner and facilitator of services to the homeless), and the H.S. Lopez Family Foundation Center of Opportunity (providing the location for the new facility).
The 15,000 square-foot facility will include housing for 10 women and 36 men in a quad room setting with two private rooms for palliative or private care. The common area will include a small group therapy space, large activity areas, dining areas, outside space, a serving kitchen, and a chapel/quiet room for services and meetings.
“At Gospel Rescue Mission, we believe in a holistic approach to the issue of homelessness. There is never one reason a person becomes homeless or remains homeless, and we can’t possibly address every need a person may have without collaboration. We’re thrilled to be able to offer this needed service to our guests as they continue their journey from homeless to wholeness.” – Lisa Chastain, CEO, Gospel Rescue Mission
Because maintaining relationships with pets is important to health and healing, the center will also have a pet play area to accommodate patients’ pets! Additional spaces include staff areas, storage, showers, and laundry.
It’s estimated that Tucson’s new Medical Respite Center will serve more than 1,500 men and women experiencing homelessness annually, reducing costly emergency room visits by 40%, days on inpatient care by 70%, and hospital readmissions. God is good!