FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING

ON AVERAGE, NEARLY 7,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS ARE TREATED FOR SEVERE BURNS AND BURN TRAUMA EACH YEAR IN THE TWIN CITIES ALONE. RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR FAMILIES OF BURN AND TRAUMA VICTIMS, AS WELL AS THE LIMITED RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALING CARE NEEDED AFTER DISCHARGE, THE ORGANIZATION OPENED THE TRANSITIONAL HEALING CENTER IN FEBRUARY 2023, LOCATED AT 816 PORTLAND AVE. S, SUITE 200, MINNEAPOLIS, MN (STILL JUST ONE BLOCK FROM HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE). THIS FIRST OF ITS KIND SPACE INCLUDES 12 SUITES, EACH WITH A FULL KITCHEN, PRIVATE BATHROOM AND IN SUITE LAUNDRY, AND IS CONNECTED BY THE MINNEAPOLIS SKYWAY SYSTEM TO HENNEPIN HEALTHCARE.ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION, THE TRANSITIONAL HEALING CENTER HAS PROGRAM SPACE TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING SERVICES PROVIDED BY AREA HEALTH SYSTEMS, THERAPY ROOMS FOR PATIENTS, AND SOCIAL GATHERING SPACES, INCLUDING A COMMON KITCHEN AND DINING AREA, LOUNGE, AND OUTDOOR PATIO FOR FAMILIES TO ENGAGE WITH ONE ANOTHER. THIS CENTER ADDRESSES THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED NEED FOR ONGOING CARE, FOR BURN SURVIVORS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, AS WELL AS THEIR FAMILIES, IN THE WEEKS, MONTHS AND YEARS FOLLOWING A BURN TRAUMA.IN 2023, FIREFIGHTERS FOR HEALING PROVIDED SERVICES TO 1,570 INDIVIDUALS FROM 314 FAMILIES, INCLUDING 2,112 NIGHTS OF SHELTER FROM 64 FAMILIES.

CAMP RED (CAMP REALIZE EVERY DREAM) IS AN OVERNIGHT CAMP FOR BURN SURVIVORS BETWEEN 6 - 16 YEARS OF AGE WHO WANT TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE BEYOND THE SCARS AND TO BE KIDS. CAMP RED OFFERS A VARIETY OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ACTIVITIES IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SETTING, INCLUDING CANOEING, ARCHERY, TRUST, SWIMMING, BOATING, HORSEBACK RIDING AND MORE. IN 2023, CAMP RED HOSTED MORE THAN 180 CAMPERS.