Sentara partners to provide a critical bridge for the unhoused in the Shenandoah Valley.
When Cindy Mays received a diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), she was living in her car and unsure how she would manage her care and recovery.
“Unhoused residents in our communities are some of our most vulnerable,” says Stephanie Webb, BSN, RN, integrated continuum case manager at Sentara RMH Medical Center. “And when patients don’t have a safe and secure place to get better, they’re much more likely to be readmitted due to a health crisis.”
Recognizing this vulnerability, leaders at Sentara RMH Medical Center and Strength in Peers, a longstanding community partner in the Shenandoah Valley, created the “Safe & Secure Program,” which provides a dedicated recuperation environment after treatment for patients experiencing unstable living conditions.
“The ‘Safe & Secure Program’ was born out of the basic premise that everyone deserves a place to recuperate, especially after a hospital stay.” — Strength in Peers founder Nicky Fadley
In just two years since its establishment, the program has enhanced recovery for more than 50 community members and has helped save approximately $345,000 in medical costs due to lower readmission rates, according to a March 2023 report commissioned by Sentara.
But for Mays, the “Safe & Secure Program” was more than an opportunity to heal physically. It was the bridge from the uncertainty of her car to the hope of a stable home. With the support of Strength in Peers and Sentara, she transitioned from temporary housing to her own apartment.
“When I first walked into RMH, I felt like I had no one. I was just another homeless person,” Mays recalls. “But they took me in. They showed me I wasn’t alone. They became my family.”
Holistic Supports
Sentara empowers partners to support community members on their journey to attain their health goals.
Virginia Supportive Housing
Charlottesville, Virginia
Our partnership with Virginia Supportive Housing uplifts people experiencing homelessness to navigate their life based on personal needs and prioritizes stable housing. Virginia Supportive Housing uses an evidence-based, low-barrier approach rooted in the principle that housing is not something to be “earned” but rather a fundamental right for every person.
Recovering Hands
Nathalie, Virginia
Our partnership with Recovering Hands supports women in their journey to rediscover life beyond substance use. Recovering Hands uses the transformative “Each One, Teach One” recovery model, founded on the therapeutic principle that one recovering individual can positively impact the life of another.
