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The brutal cold had Wes Lilly of Horizon House Outreach scouring the streets
With temperatures dipping below freezing Horizon House Outreach staff take seriously, their job of moving homeless men and women out of the frigid weather. Jeff Chirico of 6abc Action News reported the following story last Friday.
CITY OFFICIALS SEEK TO KEEP HOMELESS SAFE DURING CODE BLUE
Due to the extremely cold temperatures expected, city officials want to make sure the homeless are safe. There is a 24-hour outreach to find people who are homeless, so they can be transported to safe indoor areas. All available beds within the emergency housing network will be open to those that need them. Homeless people will be allowed to stay inside emergency housing throughout the day.
If you see a person who appears to be homeless during a Code Blue, call(215) 232-1984. For more information, visit the City of Philadelphia’s website.
The Gift of Caring
Life circumstances have brought many men and women to Horizon House’s door for services.
We hope that you give a gift to Horizon House and help us reach those still out there needing a home, support, and a friend to guide them. The individuals we help who are homeless, struggling with mental illness, or dealing with the challenges of an intellectual disability, are grateful for any gift received.
To make a donation click here.
David Kenner, Horizon House’s “Flyers Community Teammate”
Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a Philadelphia Flyers sponsor, and one of our insurance brokers, was instrumental in Horizon House being chosen to be honored as a Flyers Community Teammate. While a very great honor, the most difficult task was to identify only one of Horizon House’s many dedicated staff for this distinction. As difficult as it was, David Kenner, our InSHAPE Health Mentor was selected to represent Horizon House during the November 29th Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center. David’s work with individuals we serve is only one example of Horizon House focus on the needs of the “whole person” as we strive to “build healthy communities.” He meets individuals where they are and helps to build rapport and self-esteem. He goes above and beyond to help create consistency in the lives of the ever increasing number of InSHAPE members to exercise and to think about their well-being. David motivates peoples to desire to connect to activities in the community, » Continue Reading.
Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Service Commissioner Speaks to Horizon House Board and Staff
Dr Arthur Evans, the Commissioner of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Service (DBHID), spoke to our Horizon House Board and staff on Population Health during the October 11th board meeting.
Population Health is an innovative approach being implemented by DBHIDS to improve the health status of the community. . This approach seeks to promote health and wellness in all, not just to diagnose and address the challenges of some.
According to Dr. Evans, “Philadelphia thrives when EVERYONE is healthy & well” (twitter @ArthurCEvans). HH is very excited about the direction the DB because this system-wide health approach will exponentially expand the scope and scale of prior efforts. Horizon House is proud to boast that Wellness has always been an integral part of the services we offer.
Medicating a Prophet
The New York Times SundayReview | OPINION
by IRENE HURFORD OCT. 1, 2016
CreditRobert Beatty
Philadelphia — In the middle of the night in my second year of psychiatric residency, 13 years ago, I was awakened to see a prophet. The man, in his early 50s, had been living on the streets. He was a college graduate from a middle-class family. But on Christmas Eve three decades earlier, the Archangel Michael had come to him in a vision and demanded that he spread God’s word.
“He told me I would suffer great pain,” the man said. “His words are true. I suffer great pain.” He lifted his shirt and showed me his chest, covered in Kaposi sarcomas, the stigmata of full-blown AIDS.
He said he had come to the emergency room to preach. I encouraged him to check into the hospital for care. He refused, and I considered my options. I could allow him to leave, or I could admit him involuntarily. » Continue Reading.
All Women Have the Right to Feel Special
Image consultant Eileen Scardina visited Horizon House in Swarthmore, Pa to give what every woman wants and needs- an afternoon of beauty. Theresa Murphy, Program Director of Homeless Services in Delaware County believes that the informative afternoon was not really about looking better; it was about feeling better. It provided an opportunity for women to share experiences and encourage other women to believe that they all are beautiful, inside and out. It was an afternoon of no judging, just loads of fun.
Eileen’s compassion displayed during the “First Impressions” workshop truly had the power to change lives positively. “Every woman deserves the chance to be spoiled and the right to feel special.”
Eileen is a member of BNI- Main Line I Chapter, an international business networking organization built on the philosophy “Givers Gain®”. Because of the generosity of this group, not only did each woman walk away with a knowledge of skin care, a new understanding of the importance of » Continue Reading.