Care For the Homeless (CFH) marked a significant milestone on Thursday, November 7th, with the celebratory completion of construction at Care Found Here – Junius Street. This Brooklyn-based site, adjacent to supportive housing by Women in Need (WIN), is poised to become the flagship Community-Based Health Center (CBHC) for CFH, setting a new standard in accessible healthcare. Later this year, the doors will officially open, welcoming individuals and families in need.
Introducing the Community-Based Health Center at Junius Street
The Junius Street location represents the unveiling of Care For the Homeless’ innovative Community-Based Health Center (CBHC) model. This approach consolidates comprehensive and integrated care services under one roof, addressing a major barrier for individuals requiring diverse medical attention. Traditionally, patients often need to navigate multiple locations for different treatments, creating inconvenience and hindering consistent care. CBHCs, exemplified by Junius Street, streamline this process, enhancing access and ensuring a more holistic healthcare experience. The center will also offer extended operating hours, further breaking down obstacles to essential health services and demonstrating a commitment to patient-centric care at Junius Street.
Dr. Regina Olasin gives a tour of Care Found Here – Junius Street
Care Found Here: Elevating Health Services at Junius Street and Beyond
The launch of Care Found Here – Junius Street also introduces the “Care Found Here” sub-brand, a strategic move to sharpen the focus on CFH’s health services operation without altering the overarching organizational name. This rebranding initiative is deeply rooted in the mission to dismantle the stigma associated with homelessness. By emphasizing “Care Found Here,” CFH reinforces the principle that homelessness is a temporary condition, not a defining trait. Conditions require treatment, and housing status should not dictate access to quality healthcare. The Junius Street CBHC visually embodies this principle, ensuring patient confidentiality regarding their housing situation when accessing services at a Care Found Here facility. This model underscores a pledge to deliver outstanding, respectful, and compassionate care.
Junius Street as a Hub in the Ambulatory Care Network
CBHCs like the one at Junius Street are designed to function as central hubs within a broader ambulatory care network. This network encompasses shelters, drop-in centers, assessment centers, and supportive housing facilities, creating a cohesive system to serve individuals experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. Furthermore, this integrated system will facilitate the secure sharing of crucial healthcare information, minimizing redundant testing and optimizing healthcare resource allocation across the network linked to Junius Street.
Community Celebrates the Opening of Junius Street
The completion of Care Found Here – Junius Street was marked by a celebratory ribbon-cutting event. CFH Board of Directors Chair, Delise DuPont Blenman, and Executive Director, George Nashak, commenced the proceedings with welcoming addresses. They were joined by CFH staff, Board members, and Consumer Advisory Board representatives, alongside prominent community figures. New York State Senator Roxanne Persaud, New York City Councilmember Rafael Espinal, and WIN’s COO, Don Brosen, all addressed attendees, highlighting the collaborative spirit behind the Junius Street project. Representatives from the NYC Department of Homeless Services, Community Board #16, BMS Family Health & Wellness Center, and HELP USA also demonstrated the wide-reaching community partnership. Following the speeches, guests toured the state-of-the-art facility before the symbolic ribbon was cut, officially celebrating the progress at Junius Street.
Care Found Here- Junius Street Ribbon Cutting
Care For the Homeless expresses deep gratitude to its supporters for enabling the continued delivery of superior, patient-focused healthcare to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, now enhanced by the innovative Junius Street Community-Based Health Center.
