Firefighters for Healing plans to open its new $6 million Transitional Healing Center in January across from HCMC. The first-of-its-kind center features 12 fully furnished apartment units that will host burn patients' families, as well as firefighters and first responders from a seven state region who are seeking care in the Twin Cities.
Each one-bedroom suite features a full kitchen, bathroom, in suite laundry, and a few of the suites can be conjoined and include private outdoor patios.
They also plan to connect the Transitional Healing Center to HCMC via skyway within the next two years.
"It's the first of its kind healing center in North America," said Firefighters for Healing founder and executive director Jake LaFerriere. "We're really excited. This has been a dream of ours for six years at least, maybe even longer. It's finally coming to fruition."
LaFerriere, a former Minneapolis firefighter, founded Firefighters for Healing in 2010 after suffering third and fourth degree burns as a result of a backdraft explosion.
Firefighters for Healing provides burn and trauma support, first responder support, housing, and other resources for families and burn patients.
"The Transitional Healing Center is built out after a firehouse that we had in Minneapolis on Portland and 3rd Street. They tore that down over the summer and we took out the ruminants of that including the pole, the brick, the bell, and some of the lights and things which we have woven into our new healing center."
People using the apartments can stay for as long as they need, free of charge. Firefighters for Healing also offers free emergency housing for burn unit families and first responder families in their Firefighters for Healing HQ Apartments at 816 Portland Avenue in Minneapolis.
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LaFerriere says he's seen firsthand what it means to have families by their loved ones side in the burn unit.
"It's lifechanging," he said. "A family told us a reason their family member survived the trauma is because she was able to have her mom by her side. They were from the the state of Wyoming and she was in the ICU for 13 months. She was burned on 85 percent of her body and had a 10 percent survival rate. The only way she felt like she survived is because her mom could come over there, spend time with her, and advocate for her."
Last week Furniture Mart USA and Ashley Furniture delivered more than $40,000 worth of furniture to the transitional healing center including various living room, bedroom furnishings, and mattresses.
“At the heart of our mission is a strong sense of service and giving back to our communities. With three generations actively working in our family-owned business, we are honored to help turn this new Healing Center into a home for Firefighters for Healing and the first responders, burn survivors and families that they will support,” stated Bill Hinks, Founder & Chairman, Furniture Mart USA.