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Fisher House Celebrates 11 Years of Healing Through Love

Leadership from the Fisher House and Washington DC VA Medical Center commemorated 11 years of service for the DC Fisher House. The Fisher House provides a
Leadership from the Fisher House and Washington DC VA Medical Center commemorated 11 years of service for the DC Fisher House. The Fisher House provides a "home away from home" to eligible Veterans, families, and caregivers supporting loved ones receiving care at the DC VA Medical Center.

The Washington DC VA Fisher House opened its doors on Sept. 8, 2011.

Since then, the facility has upheld its mission to improve the quality of life for members of the military, Veterans, and their families, by providing temporary, free, and safe lodging to those supporting loved ones on the road to recovery at the Washington DC VA Medical Center.

For the past 11 years, Staff and Volunteers have continued to provide a “home away from home” to more than 24,000 guests during difficult times. Throughout COVID-19, they adopted special operating policies to remain open.

“We’ve been truly blessed to have staff and volunteers who continued to work and adapt to keep our doors to open to families in need during these uncertain times,” said DC VA Fisher House Manager Stacey Childs. “To celebrate 11 years of their non-stop service, we hosted lunch for residents and employees. It was a joyous occasion that allowed them to come together and let go of their stress for a little while.”

The DC VA Fisher House offers 20 professionally decorated and furnished guest room suites, shared lounge areas and a communal kitchen and dining room located right beside the Washington DC VA Medical Center. Accommodations this close to loved ones recovering or receiving end-of-life care at the DC VA, supports their philosophy that “a family's love is good medicine.”

“Veterans sacrifice so much to serve, and so do their loved-ones who hold down the fort at home,” said Childs. “Being able to allow them the comfort of their family nearby during their time of need is an honor and privilege for me.”

Since it’s inception in 1990, the Fisher House Foundation has donated 92 homes in the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany. The DC VA Fisher House was the 19th to be built and has lodged guests from 45 different states and Chile. The average length of stay for guests is two nights, with the longest stay to date lasting 13 months, but there are no time restrictions for guests needing to support an inpatient Veteran.

DC VA Fisher House operations are made possible through support from dedicated community stakeholders. So far in 2022, $23,000 in donated funds have helped to provide lodging for 180 families. Globally, Fisher House services have accommodated more than 430,000 eligible Veteran families, saving them more than $547 million in lodging costs.

Click here to learn more about the VA DC Fisher House.