It is always a beautiful day when KEYS visits the grounds of our Nation's Capitol historical landmarks, yet, when passing through the front gates of St. Elizabeths Hospital on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.,  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/medtour/elizabeths.html, there is an immediate special awareness of how critical the needs are for caring for the patients (omit -served by The Department of Rehabilitation Service and replace with) at the hospital.  Amidst groves of evergreens and trees that are rooted in our history's past, the hospitable surroundings mark a distinct impression.

Former KEYS Board Member and serving as Director of Homeless Services for the Downtown Business Improvement District, http://www.downtowndc.org/, Chet Grey, introduced KEYS to the needs of St. Elizabeths in 2003.  As the years passed, KEYS has contributed goods and supplies that care for the needs of the patients.   Collaborating and working together, St. Elizabeths called upon KEYS to assist them in furnishing a model apartment designed to prepare patients for community living.  The KEYstone of this project offers patients a practical life treatment program in preparation for transitional housing or independent living.  To date, The Hay-Adams, The Four Seasons, The Fairmont, The Omni-Shoreham and The Courtyard by Marriott, Springfield, Va and private donations have contributed to our goal.  We hope that our endeavors radiate an uplifting environment designed to uplift the minds and hearts of patients and care providers.  A letter of support from Director, Michelle Coleman, OTR/L, indicates our enthusiasm for this project.

"Valerie--I can not express how grateful we are to have you and your organization's support. The furnishings have added a touch of class to the model apartment. The apartment is so amazing that we have frequent visitors, staff and patients who love to feast their eyes upon the uniqueness of this cozy home environment. When we explain the depth of the program people get excited and want to help. Thanks to KEYS we are able to provide new opportunities of growth and self actualization for patients who have been far removed from the notion of living in the community or having a place of their own. The patients love it. When a new group of patients begin our program they are glad to see what has been designed especially for them. There is a feeling of hope, a vision into their future and a sense of social inclusion. One of the most frequent comments we hear from our participants is, "Wow, is all of this for us". We reply: Yes! Come on in and make your self at home. There has been some remodeling since you were here last. You will be pleased."

Maria Bacilio, MSA, OTR/L, Supervisor of Occupational Therapy and Michelle Coleman, OTR/L, Director of Rehabilitation Services at the D.C. Department of Mental Health, St. Elizabeths Hospital

For more information on this project, and how you may be KEY to its success, leave a message on our Message Board. We look forward to hearing from you!

Cost:
Preregistration: $15 for youth (age 25 and younger) and $25 for adults. Event Day Registration: $15 for youth and $30 for adults.

Thousands of our neighbors—including children—are living on the streets, in cars, and in temporary shelters. In addition to providing direct delivery of resources and materials to organizations providing services for these individuals, KEYS work with schools, community and faith-based organizations was recognized by Fannie Mae’s Youth Engagement Award. KEYS is sincerely thankful for the participation of students and faculty of Mary McLeod Day Academy Charter Public School and members of Ilda Pool and Little Run Community Association. Their involvement with KEYS has helped tremendously as we continue to raise awareness in our own communities and provide outreach to the homeless living in Washington, DC.

KEYS walkathon fundraising was also bolstered by Strategic Insight, LLC, a government consulting group with offices in Arlington, VA and Washington, DC. Although we fell just shy of our fundraising goal, we expect to receive even stronger participation and support this year from friends like you!