"In the first week of January, 2006, I suffered a heart attack. I had been out of work since June 2004. My wife wanted a divorce, I had no money, no home and now I was in Methodist Hospital, very depressed with my spirits as low as they had ever been." -Health Recovery Program participant

Many people know of the Gennesaret Free Clinic (GFC), the first agency in Indianapolis to provide medical care to homeless and working poor persons. What many people don't know is that GFC also runs the one-of-a kind Health Recovery Program (HRP), a way for hospitalized homeless men to recuperate in a home-like setting. The Health Recovery Program not only provides these men with individual rooms in which to rest and recover, but it also accounts for additional needs such as health care (both in and out of the building), case management, and addiction counseling. On average, each man remains in the care of HRP for 70 days, and the house is staffed 24 hours a day. Unlike emergency shelters, the HRP is fully equipped to handle the needs of these homeless men and get them back on their feet. The success rate of the HRP has been phenomenal-in the last six years, 75 percent of men going through the HRP have been released into transitional or permanent housing and 65 percent are still housed today.

Knowing this program has already been successful in the six years of its existence, the GFC decided to add another level of care. They requested a grant from the REALTOR® Foundation to begin a project called 'A Place Called Home' in October 2006. This new project will provide formal assistance for men transitioning out of the HRP with basic necessities and case management support; details that may help ensure their permanent housing status. The participant quoted above also said, "If I had not been found by the Health Recovery Program and taken in by the staff there, I don't think I could have survived or improved to the point I have....They helped me learn how to care for myself and to care about myself." As 'A Place Called Home' becomes a reality, homeless men will finally have a clear path from hospitalization to independent living, restoring not only their health but also their dignity.

October 19 marked the unveiling of the new REALTOR® Foundation video. With a link from our website and DVDs in production, the video will give us all a true picture of how gifts to the REALTOR® Foundation are making an immediate impact. Click here to visit our website and see the new video!

Make Your Reservation to Attend The Ball 2007

Be sure to join us as the REALTOR® Foundation and the Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of REALTORS® celebrate together at The Ball 2007! The MIBOR President's Ball and the REALTOR® Foundation Auction are joining forces this year for one extra special night of entertainment. The evening will feature dinner, dancing, an awards presentation, a live and silent auction and much more! All proceeds from the live and silent auction will benefit the REALTOR® Foundation in its effort to combat homelessness in central Indiana. Click here for more information on this year's event and to find out how to make your reservation.