Client storytelling is a staple of the nonprofit business model, ever present in advocacy, clinic tours, fundraising—and news articles like the one you are reading right now.
What happens after testing?
05.20.20
Since the first days of our COVID-19 response, many of you have asked, “Where can people who have no home go to safely quarantine or self-isolate?”
Universal testing in city shelters moves forward with 400 newly available isolation rooms
Last week, the 400-room Lord Baltimore Hotel became Baltimore City’s new Triage, Respite and Isolation (TRI) center. It's a place where immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, front-line workers and others who cannot self-isolate can now safely quarantine.
This new capacity for isolation opens the door for the widespread testing at shelters needed to slow the spread.
- On Friday, our staff joined the Johns Hopkins field unit and the Baltimore City Health Department to test 130 residents of the Greenspring shelter (at the former KIPP Academy).
"The process can be stressful, and the testing can feel intrusive—especially for people with traumatic experiences related to homelessness. We're there so people feel seen, heard and connected as they get through this challenge."
Deirdre Hoey, Behavioral Health Therapist
What happens after testing?
Our care doesn't stop. Once shelter residents are isolated at a hotel:
- We continue to coordinate closely with University of Maryland and the Baltimore City Health Department who are providing on-site medical care.
- Our doctors, therapists and case managers conduct telehealth visits by phone for clients and anyone experiencing homelessness.
- We launched a new 24/7 support line for clients who are feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed by COVID.
Our medical respite staff, including a community health worker, nurses, medical provider and therapist, are on-site to meet the needs of especially vulnerable clients as they recover from hospital stays.
We're in this together
 |
 |
 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
"Stay at home" restrictions are |
Please direct anyone who needs care to |
. Your donations support |
|
For more updates and a comprehensive look at our agency response to this public health crisis, visit our COVID-19 page.
More Recent News
04.22.24
The Trans Rights Advocacy Coalition (TRAC) has been the driving force in championing trans rights policy changes in Maryland. Due to stigma and structural discrimination, transgender people—particularly transgender people of color—experience high rates of homelessness. Following the implementation of the Trans Health Equity Act in January, we talked with TRAC leadership about their work and community.
2592
04.19.24
Since starting in January 2022, REI Health Specialist Arie Hayre-Somuah, LMSW, MPH has worked with our clinical teams to identify health disparities and move us closer to health equity. This year, she is turning her focus to the topic of health literacy.
2591
04.02.24
We are delighted to announce the promotion of Hanna Mast from Senior Communications Manager to Director of Communications. Get to know more about her work in the Q&A below!
2585