Cincinnati Center Seeks Volunteers to Help Homeless Heal

When Emanuel Thomas left the hospital after lung cancer treatment at age 62, he had nowhere to go. The Cincinnati Center for Respite Care became his lifeline during one of life's most vulnerable moments.

"I worked all my life and I never thought I would be homeless," Thomas said. "To be homeless at 62 was very stressful plus the cancer and getting back and forth to the doctors."

The Center for Respite Care in Over-the-Rhine serves a critical gap in healthcare. It provides medical care and housing for people discharged from hospitals who have no home to return to for recovery.

CEO Laurel Nelson explains that clients stay an average of 60 days while staff coordinate their medical appointments, provide healthcare, and help them transition to permanent housing. The center handles everything from wound care to specialty appointments, ensuring people don't fall through the cracks during recovery.

Now the organization is growing. The center recently purchased the former Uptown Arts Building and launched a capital campaign to renovate the space and hire additional staff with specialized skills.

Sister Marie Romejko volunteers at the center and says anyone can help. "I like that I'm a regular person. I don't go in with a special skill or a special offering. I'm one person to another," she said.

Why This Inspires

Medical respite care solves a problem many people don't realize exists. Thousands of Americans are discharged from hospitals while still needing care but having nowhere safe to recover. Without places like this, people end up back in emergency rooms or worse.

This center proves that bridging healthcare and housing saves lives and money. By keeping people stable during the critical recovery period, they prevent costly hospital readmissions and help clients get back on their feet permanently.

For Thomas, the impact has been life-changing. "They have changed my life. I don't know where I would be without them. It's hard out there," he said.

The center welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and skill levels to help with daily operations, companionship, and client support.