The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation Makes $2MM Commitment to Delivering Health Care to Homeless Individuals.
Circle the City to Open New Center to Meet the Primary Health Care Needs of Maricopa County’s Homeless Community
SCOTTSDALE, AZ (September 9, 2014) – Today, Circle the City announced it will dramatically expand its medical services for homeless individuals, thanks to a $2 million grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. The organization will launch a new primary health care center, The Parsons Family Health Center at Circle the City, to address the complex medical needs of the homeless population. The new Parsons Family Health Center will enable the organization to expand its programming to reach more than 3,500 new patients annually.
In Maricopa County more than 17,000 people experience homelessness each year, which greatly exceeds the community’s current capacity to meet the health care needs of this population.
“One of the greatest barriers to relieving homelessness is access to health care,” said Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, M.D., Circle the City’s founder and medical director. “The grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will enable Circle the City to build a medical home for the homeless, connecting them with desperately needed primary health care services.”
The Parsons Family Health Center at Circle the City is projected to open in summer 2015 at a location near the organization’s current Medical Respite Center. The new facility will offer a continuum of health care for a population that frequently seeks medical attention via emergency rooms and 911 calls. The health center will feature 10-15 exam rooms and a team of clinicians who are experienced in treating the acute and frequently chronic health concerns of the homeless population.
Circle the City currently operates a 50-bed Medical Respite Center, which provides a holistic approach to healing for homeless individuals recently released from the hospital. Patients have access to case management services; behavioral health counseling; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; psychiatric assessment; substance abuse therapy; and an array of volunteer-led activities, all integrated into comprehensive plans of care.
“Circle the City offers our most vulnerable citizens the best possible care – care that promotes physical, psychological and financial health all under one roof,” said entrepreneur and philanthropist Bob Parsons. “Through the new Parsons Family Health Center I believe that thousands of people will be given the chance to improve their health and, ultimately, recover their lives.”
The new Center will operate in tandem with the Medical Respite Center. Patients whose conditions warrant more intensive treatment will be admitted to the Respite Center, helping decrease the frequency and necessity for expensive hospital admissions.
“Circle the City is committed to addressing gaps that exist in the local continuum of homeless health care,” said Brandon Clark, Circle the City’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are so thankful for the continued support from Bob and Renee Parsons. In awarding this grant, their compassion will again directly assist the most vulnerable in our community, providing both healing and hope.”
About Circle the City
Circle the City is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a time and place to heal for people in Greater Phoenix who are experiencing homelessness while ill or injured. Incorporated in 2008, the organization embraces its patients with compassionate medical care and meaningful human services as they journey toward healthy, independent living. For more information, please visit www.circlethecity.org.
UMOM New Day Centers announces a new affordable housing project generously funded by the Arizona Department of Housing and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
Phoenix, AZ (June 24, 2014) – Thanks to the Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, UMOM New Day Centers will undertake a new affordable housing project for at-risk families in Phoenix. On Friday, June 6, ADOH awarded UMOM approximately $9.4 million in financing to build a new housing community. Today, The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation announced that it will provide an additional $3 million in funding to support the project.
“The financing from the Arizona Department of Housing and funding from The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation will allow UMOM to continue toward our goal of providing every needy family with an affordable place to live,” said UMOM CEO Darlene Newsom. “The additional housing units will go a long way to support the ever growing need for affordable housing in our community.”
“Home – a simple word that means so much,” said Renee Parsons. “Yet for thousands of people in our community home doesn’t exist. By partnering with UMOM to build additional affordable housing units, Bob and I believe that we can help inspire hope and be part of a rapid-rehousing solution for homelessness.”
In 2011 UMOM acquired North Mountain Lodge Motel in the Sunny Slope area, located adjacent to one of organization’s Next Step Housing properties, Casa de Paz Sahuaro Apartments. The investments from ADOH and The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation will allow UMOM to demolish the dilapidated structure and construct 48 brand new one, two and three bedroom affordable housing apartments.
The funds will also support the build-out of a 5,500 square foot community programs service center to support the needs of residents at both properties. The center will provide critical services such as job search assistance, GED tutoring and wellness programs.
On any given day 50 to 75 families are on UMOM’s shelter waiting list and hundreds more seek affordable housing. The 48 additional units will greatly assist UMOM in moving people off the waitlist and into a home. Of the 48 units, at least 34 will be set aside for chronically homeless individuals and families with preference given to Veterans. UMOM anticipates construction to start early next year with occupancy in Fall 2015.
“The idea of standing idle while a waitlist for affordable housing grows is simply not an option,” said Bob Parsons. “There are families in this community who need a leg-up and a second chance at becoming first-class citizens. Renee and I have every intention to help make a long-term difference in the fight to end homelessness in the greater Phoenix area and we believe that UMOM’s new housing community is a great next step.”
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation is a long-time supporter of UMOM New Day Centers. In 2012 the Foundation awarded UMOM $5 million to enable the center to pay off their mortgage on the 7.2 acre main campus, which provides emergency shelter and transitional housing, and dramatically expand the programs and services available.
UMOM’s Mission: to prevent and end homelessness with innovative strategies and housing solutions that meet the unique needs of each family and individual.
THE BOB & RENEE PARSONS FOUNDATION AWARDS $250,000 GRANT TO CIRCLE THE CITY MEDICAL RESPITE CENTER.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 24, 2014) – The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation has awarded a $250,000 grant to Circle the City Medical Respite Center, a 50-bed facility that provides supervised medical care to homeless individuals who are recovering from illness or injury. Each individual admitted to the Center receives assistance from a dedicated case manager, who helps connect patients with relevant benefits, employment resources and ultimately housing.
“We are grateful for the compassionate gift from Bob and Renee Parsons which will help men and women recover from illness and discover a better life,” said Circle the City’s founder, president and medical director Sister Adele O’Sullivan, CSJ, MD. “Their generosity is helping us serve the homeless population in the greater Phoenix area, and fill a critical need within our Valley’s healthcare landscape.”
For many, Circle the City is the first step on the path to healthy, independent living. When admitted to Circle the City’s Medical Respite Center, patients are surrounded by a wide variety of services aimed at healing each patient medically, emotionally and spiritually. This holistic approach gives each individual patient the best possible chance to not only heal from his or her illness or injury, but break the cycle of homelessness entirely.
“Through the Foundation’s support of Circle the City we have a real opportunity to change lives,” said Bob Parsons. “By focusing our resources on continuing to care for our community’s ill and injured homeless individuals we can promote long-term wellness and support their journey home.”
After completing their medical course of treatment, more than 75 percent of patients find transitional or permanent housing with the help of Circle the City.
In addition to the care delivered by physicians and nurses, patients are given access to mental health therapy, substance abuse treatment, AA groups and psychiatric consultations. Community volunteers surround respite center patients with engaging activities such as art therapy, chair yoga and group outings to local museums and sporting events. This community re-integration has proved to be as important to the healing process as the medications administered through the clinic.
“It is our wish that the Valley’s most vulnerable individuals will find sanctuary and, more importantly, hope in the holistic care they receive through Circle the City,” added Renee Parsons.
About Circle the City
Circle the City is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that provides for the unmet needs of homeless individuals and families in Greater Phoenix, especially during times of illness. Incorporated in 2008, the organization is dedicated to assisting with financial resources that make health care services possible where no other resources exist, and by providing basic necessities to help ease the burdens of homelessness. For more information, visit www.circlethecity.org.
