Rosehedge/Multifaith Works provides housing and 24-hour care to men and women living with HIV/AIDS as well as organizing care teams to provide practical support.
Proven Success
Rosehedge and Multifaith Works merged in January 2011 and brought together two organizations serving one of the most hard to serve populations: men and women who are homeless, or on the verge of homelessness and are living with HIV/AIDS. The merger builds upon each organization’s strengths by building capacity through joint programming and administrative consolidation and creating a larger voice for advocacy.
Best Practices
They adhere to a “housing first” service model in which they move individuals off the street as quickly as possible. In response to feedback from residents and from their partners, they have eliminated several paperwork requirements that may have prevented some individuals from accessing their program in a timely manner.
They are instituting a “wraparound” program model in which residents are provided with more intensive services aimed at promoting readiness for independent housing and are expected to take greater responsibility for self- and household-management. This will include both staffing changes and environmental changes to their houses to facilitate success for their residents. For example, they will be making changes to their kitchen set-ups to better facilitate simultaneous use by residents and encourage the development of food management and meal preparation skills.
Leadership
Their Executive Director is going to step down from that position. He will remain in the position until a new Executive Director has been hired. The board is screening and interviewing candidates. In selecting a new Director, the board is seeking an individual with the skills and experience to assist in building an even stronger housing program, and leading the organization into the future.
Collaboration
Rosehedge/Multifaith Works is a founding member of the King County HIV/AIDS Care Continuum that began in the late 1980’s. They have long-established collaborations and partnerships with Gay City Health Project, Lifelong AIDS Alliance, Bailey-Boushay, Seattle Area Support Groups, Entre Hermanos, Seattle Counseling Services and the Madison Clinic at Harborview. They believe sharing resources with other providers ensures the highest and most comprehensive level of care possible while not duplicating services already available in our community.
Sustainability
The merger has streamlined overhead costs and reduced administrative expenses. It has helped them become a stronger advocate for HIV/AIDS services. Both organizations entered the merger with money in reserves and that helped cover the costs of the merger and they did not have to use all of their reserve funds.
They received diverse funds and will continue to pursue grants from longstanding funders and to seek new foundation partners and new donors. Because they receive a reimbursement for each EALP resident through Medicaid, they work to ensure that their houses operate at full capacity.
Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:
Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:
| Date | Amount | | Purpose |
|---|
| 3/10/2013 |
$10,000.00 |  | provide general operating support. | | 9/17/2008 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 10/5/2006 |
$15,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. | | 6/17/2004 |
$20,000.00 | | support general operating expenses. |
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