Case Study: Guardian Care
The Client
Guardian Care Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is a nonprofit assisted living and skilled nursing facility in Orlando, Florida, that has operated since 1958. After the construction of a new facility, two of their older buildings became vacant. The organization approached the City of Orlando to determine the best use of their space. As in other parts of the US, Orlando is experiencing growth in its homeless population, which disproportionately impacts one community in particular: adults over the age of 55. Sharity was engaged to conduct a study on the use of Guardian Care’s buildings to serve this vulnerable population as bridge housing.
The Project
Data was collected through interviews, in-person surveys, conversations, and facility assessments. The following key stakeholders were interviewed.
- People currently experiencing homelessness in the community via one-on-one survey interviews City of Orlando Planning, Homeless, Economic Development Staff
- Christian Service
- Center Catholic Charities (Orlando) Pathways to Care.
- Healthcare Center for the Homeless
- Homeless Services Network
- United Health Care
- Samaritan Place, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee
- Hearth Inc. Ruggles Assisted Living
- Guardian Care
- Orlando Rescue Mission
Insights about needs and services were also gleaned
from an in-person survey of 36 people experiencing
homelessness in Orlando. Multiple vendors
simultaneously assessed the cost of rehabilitating the
building.
The Results
The project culminated in a detailed report outlining the programming, renovation, and fundraising necessary to establish this much-needed facility.
Sharity, Inc | www.SharityGlobal.com
