Firehouse Ministries is proud to offer Alabama’s only medical respite program for individuals experiencing homelessness, providing critical care and stability for those who are medically fragile.
Many individuals experiencing homelessness face serious medical conditions but are forcibly discharged from hospitals without a safe place to recover. These individuals are too sick to survive on the streets but not sick enough to remain hospitalized.
Our Medical Respite Program (MRP) is a lifeline for the most vulnerable by offering:
- Onsite case management to coordinate care and recovery.
- Support and recovery groups to promote healing and stability.
- Therapeutic fine arts for mental wellness and engagement.
- Transportation and medical referrals to ensure continued care.
Although Firehouse Ministries has provided shelter since 1983, the respite program became a formal pilot initiative in 2020, following the agency’s move to a larger facility with dedicated medical spaces.
Eligibility & Care Model
To qualify for MRP, individuals must:
- Complete all activities of daily living (ADLs) independently.
- Ambulate without assistance and be stable enough for congregate housing.
- Abstain from drug and alcohol use on-site.
- Self-administer medications and medical treatments.
MRP does not provide skilled nursing care and is not a medical facility, but it offers structured support to stabilize individuals in crisis.
The Challenge
The demand for respite care is growing, with more men experiencing chronic homelessness and acute medical conditions. Hospitals continue to discharge patients into homelessness, leaving Firehouse Ministries as one of the few safety nets available.
Since 2020, we have:
- Expanded into a 100-bed shelter with a 12-bed medical respite dorm.
- Hired a full-time medical social worker to support participants.
- Partnered with UAB and Cahaba Medical Care to bring weekly medical volunteers and mobile health services.
The Urgent Need
Homelessness in Birmingham is worsening, with 943 individuals recorded in 2022—likely four times higher beyond a single-day count.
There are not enough beds, not enough care, and not enough resources for men who desperately need a safe space to recover.
- No one should die under a bridge when they could have died with dignity in a bed.
- No one should endure chemotherapy without proper medical conditions.
- No one should face critical illness alone, without the care and compassion they deserve.
Firehouse Ministries is committed to expanding its respite care capacity—but we cannot do it alone.
Join Us in Providing Hope & Healing
Your support, donations, and advocacy can help expand respite care, ensuring every medically fragile individual has a safe place to heal.
Together, we can restore dignity and provide life-saving care.