Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

HENDRICK MEDICAL CENTER, Abilene, TX
Hendrick Friendship House

What is it?
A neighborhood resource that strengthens area relationships and neighborhoods to create safer, healthier communities.  Volunteer staffed tutoring, educational classes and other activities for children youth and adults are available for free at the Hendrick House.  Additionally, the house leads neighborhood clean up efforts and has developed an unofficial neighborhood watch program.

Abilene has two Friendship Houses both planted in select neighborhoods as part of a community-wide initiate to renew and revitalize depressed neighborhoods.  Each Friendship House has a paid coordinator who lives in the house with his or her family.  The coordinator develops relationships with children, youth and adults, resulting in a heightened sense of neighborhood safety, pride, stability and quality of life.  Coordinator becomes, in essence, a part of a growing Neighborhood Peace Corps in Abilene

Who is it for?
Neighborhood residents

Why do they do it?
Hendrick Medical Center and its Auxiliary wanted to demonstrate that building a healthy community begins close to home.  As a result of the existing programs local residents have reported improved grades at school, civic engagement through empowerment, health status due to education, screenings and chronic disease management, job skills and employment opportunities.

Contact: Rhonda Fulham, CAVS
Director of Volunteer & Guest Services
Hendrick Health System
325-670-2316
rfulham@ehendrick.org

Hospitals in Action