HumanGood receives grant for Casa de la Vista and Fern Lodge affordable housing communities

The First Baptist Church of Redlands (FBCR) has awarded HumanGood a $16,400 grant to support the Compassionate Connections programs at HumanGood’s Casa de la Vista and Fern Lodge affordable housing communities in Redlands, California. Compassionate Connections will provide residents with access to iPads and tablet computers to improve their access to health care, in addition to reducing their social isolation and restarting life enrichment activities. This technology will allow residents to participate in monthly health and wellness seminars as well as give them the opportunity to connect with their health providers through telehealth.

FBCR has a long-standing commitment to low-income seniors. In 1978, FBCR’s senior pastor Robert B. Wallace started working with ABHOW and the City of Redlands Housing Commission to explore the idea of building affordable senior housing in Redlands. It took ten years to get funding and another two years to complete the plans and construction of Casa de la Vista, with the grand opening in 1990.

The City of Redlands also donated funds to the building project which enabled the addition of a patio and balcony for each room, and enabled the building to blend into the community architecturally. Due to the successful partnership with the City of Redlands, FBCR and ABHOW, we were able to obtain additional funding which enabled the creation of Fern Lodge on property next door to Casa de la Vista. It was a cooperative effort, and there are still several board members for both affordable housing communities who are long-standing members of the church.

“We are grateful for the support of FBCR, which will enable residents of these communities to have the opportunity to educate themselves on health-related issues and take proactive steps in managing their physical health” said Bruce Laycook, Chairman of the Board of HumanGood Affordable Housing. “When the opportunity for grants to local charitable organizations arose within the church, Compassionate Connections was identified as a worthy project, and the church voted to fund this program for residents at both communities.”

To learn more about the HumanGood Foundation, please contact us at Media@HumanGood.org.