“How far staff was willing to go to help me succeed.”
“Having my own private room and space for healing.”
“Knowing I could just relax and focus on my health.”
“Having a place to be out of the cold with people who took care of me well.”
These are a few responses from clients exiting the Recuperative Care Program (RCP) this year when asked what had helped them most.
A partnership between Preble Street, Greater Portland Health, and MaineHealth, Recuperative Care provides acute medical care and social work for unhoused people who are too ill to recover from a physical illness or injury on the streets or in shelters, but not ill enough to require hospital-level care any longer. RCP provides short-term residential services that allow the opportunity to recover in a safe environment while accessing medical care, social and medical case management, and basic needs. The program launched in 2022.
Over the last 9 months alone, the RCP has served 97 individuals and helped 23 of them secure permanent housing. No small feat considering the average stay for clients is just 4 weeks!
“All of us staff are focused on being our best selves in the program,” shares Caroline Fernandes, RCP Director. “Can we bring joy? Can we bring care? Can we bring compassion and connection to people? Connection is the biggest thing that helps people heal. So we bring in art supplies, or we get music, and we try to come up with a group that they might like, and if they have family that they’re reconnecting with, we’ll buy them a $35 phone. That can be huge for them to be in their room and talk with their family.”
Last fall, we shared how staying at RCP allowed Brian to reconnect with his son and his passion for art. Read Brian’s story.
“We provide a lot of opportunities for clients to build confidence and community,” Caroline continues. “Along with art and singing groups, we also do a community meeting that people love. It’s meant to be a healing group. Staff and clients all sit together to do a check-in. We’ll usually begin by sharing a word of the day that describes how we’re feeling. Some people will say ‘strong’ or ‘hopeful’. But others might say ‘stuck’ or ‘hopeless.’ And in those cases, staff and fellow patients will check in deeper with that person to see how we can support them and help them move forward. It’s beautiful to see.”
This winter, the RCP began conducting exit surveys of clients as they prepared to leave the program. The progress and hope clients feel reflect the unique opportunity this program offers patients to safely rest and begin to rebuild their lives alongside compassionately supportive staff.
“I appreciate you all – the whole staff. And I am going to miss you.”
“Thank you for everything!”
Remembering Nate Nickerson
“I learned so much from Nate in my early years as Executive Director of Preble Street. His influence on this agency – and me personally and professionally – cannot be overstated. Preble Street would not be what it is today without Nate Nickerson. The world lost one of the good guys last week.” Swannie
Supportive housing works – let’s protect it!
TAKE ACTION: More than 1,200 people in Maine could potentially lose their housing over the next year and be forced out onto the street. The impacts to communities across the state would be devastating. Please contact your members of Congress to tell them that HUD funding must prioritize permanent supportive housing! Senator Susan CollinsWashington D.C. (202) 224-2523Portland, ME (207)
Staff highlight: Ella Dempsey-Blair “My clients give me hope”
Preble Street staff are #CompassionInAction, and we want you to get to know them! This month, we’re introducing you to Ella Dempsey-Blair, Case Manager at Health Services Name, title, and program: Ella Dempsey-Blair, Case Manager for Preble Street Health Services at the MaineHealth-Preble Street Learning Collaborative. I’ve worked here for over a year and a half.