Providing A Safe Shelter For The Homeless To Heal

After an extended hospital stay, there simply is nothing like getting home to your own bed. But what happens to those that don’t have a bed or a home?

“We specialize in providing a place of respite for individuals who are experiencing homelessness and a physical illness or injury,” said Kelli Ude, Executive Director of Cardinal Community House.

The nonprofit opened its doors in 1966, specifically to serve those experiencing homelessness.

“They go to the emergency room so that they can get emergency treatment, but once that emergency has resolved, they’re going to be discharged just like you or I would be,” said Ude.  

Without access to medications and other necessities, healing can be a challenge. But that’s where Cardinal Community house steps in.

“They get a private room, they get a hospital bed now, medical recliner in their room fully furnished for them to have that safe space to recover,” said Ude.  

Clients can stay up to thirty days while they recuperate. They also get three meals a day, transportation to their medical appointments and most importantly they get respect.

“I’ve had a problem getting my medicine and they all pitched in from the top to the bottom helping me get it,” said Connie Dowell, a client of the facility.

Without Cardinal house Ms. Dowell says she would be on the streets, making it really tough for her not to get comfortable here.

“You’re not supposed to feel like it’s home, but you feel like oh, I have to go home, and I catch myself saying that word and I shouldn’t,” said Dowell.

“Sometimes it is difficult to say goodbye, but it’s bittersweet,” said Ude.

Clients are referred through local hospitals, so when Mercy hospital noticed the condition of some of the beds they stepped up.

“We were able to donate fifty beds, that were used during that time of Covid, that we no longer, thankfully need, so we were able to donate those over to the Cardinal House,” said Cindy Maggart with Mercy Hospital.

“We want to make sure they are equipped with coats and gloves, just anything that can keep them warm during those winter months,” said Norman Markland, Chairman of The Board for Cardinal Community House.

It’s a safe way for anyone to donate new or slightly used items to those who truly need them.

The facility takes all type of donations for a list of needed items and how to donate visit their website www.cardinalcommunityhouse.com.