What we might take for granted: A place to heal

Recently, The Santa Fe New Mexican published a wonderful and informative piece by Sami Edge about how the sheltering programs in Santa Fe allow individuals experiencing homelessness and who are ill to recuperate indoors in a medical respite care bed (“Shelters help homeless fighting flu bug,” Jan. 14). It is especially notable during this flu epidemic that has taken its toll on everyone, not just those who are homeless.

As the executive director of the Interfaith Community Shelter, I wanted to publicly acknowledge Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center. The Christus Fund provides the shelter with the necessary funding to maintain our medical respite care beds during the winter season. Without the support of the hospital, we could not afford the 24-hour staffing necessary to support and supervise those individuals who are homeless and ill. It is not just the flu that our guests have to deal with. Recently, we have sheltered individuals dealing with cancer, congestive heart failure, surgery and other serious illnesses.

It is also worth noting that the entire community benefits when we can avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room and hospitalization or rehospitalization for anyone who has no home to be discharged to. It also can be comforting to the people we serve to know they have somewhere to go when dealing with an illness or injury. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard a guest, who has just been served a hot meal or has a bed to sleep in for the night, tell me they “feel blessed.” It is a stark reminder of some of the things, like recuperating indoors, that we all might take for granted.