GREENVILLE, SC (January 16, 2019) – The Upstate’s homeless who are too sick to stay in a regular shelter but not sick enough to be in a hospital will now have a safe place to rest, recover and receive medical support. New Horizon Family Health Services and Miracle Hill Ministries have partnered to open South Carolina’s first-ever in-shelter medical Respite Care Program. An open house and press conference to celebrate this groundbreaking accomplishment will be held January 22, 2019 at 10 a.m. at Miracle Hill Greenville Rescue Mission, located at 575 W. Washington St.
“The opening of this new Respite Care Program is a crucial piece of the continuum of care puzzle for the homeless in our community,” said Reid Lehman, President/CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries. In 2014, as a result of the “tent city” homeless crisis in Greenville, Upstate homeless providers identified and outlined in the Homelessness White Paper five gaps in the service network for the homeless. “We are pleased to partner with New Horizon to fill one of these crucial service gaps,” he added.
The Respite Care Program, spearheaded by New Horizon Family Health Services, is located inside Greenville Rescue Mission and will provide six respite beds for homeless individuals who are identified as needing transitional medical support. New Horizon will operate the Program by providing clinical and other professional staff and oversight.
“This partnership allows New Horizon Family Health Services the opportunity to further serve some of the most vulnerable in our community by providing a safe place for homeless patients to receive medical attention and continue their recovery when they no longer require hospitalization,” said Regina M. Mitchell, New Horizon Family Health Services President and Chief Executive Officer.
New Horizon Family Health Services’ Health Care for the Homeless program works closely with Upstate homeless shelters and other health and human service organizations to serve over 2,000 patients in 13 counties using a 40-foot mobile medical unit at strategic collaborative partner agency locations. Services include primary care, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services and access to prescription medications. People experiencing homelessness may also receive services at New Horizon medical office locations in Greenville, Greer or Travelers Rest, as well as their dental office in downtown Greenville.
About Miracle Hill Ministries
Miracle Hill Ministries is the Upstate’s largest, most comprehensive provider of services to homeless children and adults. Serving the Upstate since 1937, Miracle Hill’s programs include rescue shelters for the homeless, residential addiction recovery, transitional housing, shelters for children, and foster care. Miracle Hill’s eight thrift stores provide employment opportunities for the community as well as Miracle Hill guests transitioning out of programs. Miracle Hill has been recognized as a Certified Mission and has been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by City Gate Network, a distinction given to fewer than 30 missions nationwide. Additionally, Miracle Hill’s foster care program and group homes for children have been accredited by CARF International. For more information about Miracle Hill, please visit www.MiracleHill.org or call 864.268.4357. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
About New Horizon Family Health Services
For over 26 years, New Horizon Family Health Services has been serving Greenville County and Upstate South Carolina. We provide over 100,000 medical, dental and behavioral health visits to over 24,000 patients annually and operate medical offices in Greenville, Greer and Travelers Rest, a dental office in Greenville, a mobile medical unit and a mobile dental unit. Services include primary medical, dental and behavioral health care, pharmacy and laboratory services. The mission of New Horizon Family Health Services is to provide quality, affordable, compassionate patient-centered health care to improve the health of the communities we serve. To learn more, visit http://www.newhorizonfhs.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
New Horizon Family Health Services is partially financially supported by the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Public Health Service Act. Of total operating costs, 23% is funded by federal support. For this year’s budget, the federal grant funding is $5,864,494. Seventy – seven percent (77%) of total costs will be financed by non-governmental sources.
