Transcript Free Foundation Overview

FREE Foundation Overview
Pass it On
May 8, 2006
Foundation for
Rehabilitation
Equipment &
Endowment
www.free-foundation.org
(540) 777-4929
The Beginning
• Founded in Roanoke, Virginia – 1999
• By a group of dedicated Care givers &
healthcare workers who noticed:
– adults returning home from stroke, spinal
cord, brain injury & other serious illnesses
– without equipment needed to recover or
return to a life of independence
– often becoming debilitated upon returning
home without necessary devices
Vision & Mission
• Vision
-To assist underserved adults to whom
mobility equipment is not otherwise available
-Be a model program for other communities.
• Mission
To acquire and provide mobility related
rehabilitative equipment to maximize
functional independence and improve quality
of life
Where We Serve Now
• Initially started in Roanoke, Virginia
Where We Serve Now
• Now serving all of Southwest, Virginia
Where We Serve Now
• Portions of
• Southside, Virginia
• Central, Virginia
VISION
• FREE is working jointly with partners to
mentor other areas throughout the
state in order to serve the entire
Commonwealth of Virginia
What We Help With
Assistive Devices:
– Wheelchairs
– Walkers, canes, & crutches
– Power wheelchairs & scooters
– Bathroom equipment
– Hospital beds
– and similar devices
Who We Help
Adults 18 & older in Virginia
– In need of rehabilitative equipment
– With physician-determined medical need
– Without other means to acquire equipment
• No insurance/Medicare/Medicaid/personal funds
which can provide the device
– Have confirmed financial need
Why Recycle
•
•
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Increased volume & selection of equipment
A means for the community to help itself
Decrease bulk environmental waste
It’s the right thing to do!
Cost savings
Cost Savings
Average Retail
Cost for One
Recycling
Ratio
Low-end items:
Walkers, canes, &
Bathroom devices
$100
1:2
Wheelchair
$900
Power Chair
$7000
1:4
up to
1:15
up to
Item
Key Partners
•
•
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Local Communities
Goodwill Industries
VATS
Gleaning for the World
How we Recycle
Recycling includes:
Collecting donations from the community
Sorting donations
Cleaning
Inspecting
Repairing
Distribution
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Cleaning & Sanitizing
Inspected &
Ready for repair
Ready to
Pass it on!
Ready to
Pass it on!
Ready to
Pass it on!
Resources
• Volunteers
• Community agencies
• Marketing
Resources
• Funding
– Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative
– Health Foundations
– Community Foundations
– Individuals and Corporate Sponsors
– Fundraising events
– Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
A Model for other
communities
A Model for other
communities
Diagnosis of
People Served 2005
Orthopedic
Spinal Cord Injury
Diabetes
Other
Neurologic
Medically Complex
Neuromuscular
Diabetes
Neurologic
Neuromuscular
Medically Complex
Orthopedic
Other
Spinal Cord Injury
Impact = Outcomes
120%
100%
2002
80%
2003
60%
2004
2005
40%
20%
0%
Independence
Decreased Falls
Decreased Visits to
ER
Decreased
Hospitalizations
Staying at Home
Impact = Outcomes
Greater
Decreased
Decreased
Decreased
Staying
Independence
Falls
ER Visits
Hospitalizations
at Home
2002
93%
85%
88%
92%
100%
2003
99%
94%
98%
95%
95%
2004
98%
83%
95%
94%
99%
2005
93%
87%
83%
87%
100%
Person Testimonies
Meet Kathy & Gary who
were served by FREE!
Challenges
• Sustaining
• Distribution (transportation)
• Space
• Growth
FREE Contact Info
• Contact- FREE Foundation
Robin Ramsey
Executive Director
[email protected]
www.free-foundation.org