The Virginia and David Baldwin Women’s Residence receives Recovery Residence Certification from the Florida Association of Recovery Residences
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (February 5, 2018) – The St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s Virginia and David Baldwin Women’s Residence in downtown St. Petersburg has received its Recovery Residence Certification from the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR), the statewide chapter of the National Association of Recovery Residences (NARR). FARR evaluates and monitors organizations providing recovery support in community-based, residential settings throughout Florida.
The Free Clinic’s Women’s Residence provides a safe place for women to live while they develop the skills necessary for independent living. It’s the first women-only residence in Pinellas County to receive this certification, which signifies that the residence meets or exceeds national standards in meeting the needs of persons in recovery by delivering quality recovery support services and ensuring the availability of recovery-oriented housing.
The Free Clinic’s Women’s Residence helps women regain self-sufficiency after encountering serious life setbacks, which often includes overcoming addiction issues. Women work with a case manager to set goals, start working, save money and build life skills over a six- to 12-month period to become self-sufficient and transition into independent living upon graduation from the program.
“Earning this certification shows that the high level of standards at our Women’s Residence are in alignment with national standards,” said Beth Houghton, St. Petersburg Free Clinic’s Executive Director. “Our program enjoys a high success rate, and we look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on women in our community who need support to become self-sufficient.”
Since the program’s start in 1989, the St. Petersburg Free Clinic has helped thousands of women regain independence. More than 65 percent of women who join the Women’s Residence program successfully transition to self-sufficiency and stable housing. Of those who transition into independent living, more than 90 percent remain independent after one year.
In 2016, the Free Clinic increased its capacity from serving 20 to 50 women at a time with the opening of a new 20,000-square-foot facility that includes 40 bedrooms, a large kitchen with teaching areas, a shared dining area, and training rooms to teach job-seeking and life skills.
About St. Petersburg Free Clinic: St. Petersburg Free Clinic is a nonprofit agency that provides health care, food and shelter for our neighbors in need. Founded in 1970, the Free Clinic focuses on helping our community’s working poor, homeless and people who have not been able to receive assistance through government programs or other nonprofit agencies.
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