Swan House
Swan House is a large 6-bedroom home located in a residential neighborhood of Milwaukie, Oregon. The facility serves 5 low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS who need assistance with personal care, meals, mobility, transportation, and medication management. Residents may also be recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, and receiving help with mental illness other health issues. Caregivers are trained in HIV and how the complexities of this chronic illness affects daily living in order to provide specialized care. Other services that are available include: Occupational Therapy, Social Work, and weekly visits from a Health Care Consultant.
History
Swan House was developed through the collaborative efforts of three nonprofit organizations:
- Northwest Housing Alternatives, Inc. (NHA) - a nonprofit developer of special needs housing
- Clackamas County AIDS Relief Effort, Inc. (CCARE), a nonprofit community-based HIV/AIDS education and services organization
- Kairos-Milwaukie United Church of Christ (UCC)
The facility was constructed by NHA with funding provided by the federal Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) program. The Kairos-Milwaukie UCC congregation donated the land on which the facility was constructed. CCARE leased the facility from NHA and operated Swan House from June 2000 until October 2001 when CCARE dissolved and ceased operations. NVHS assumed the lease and took over operation of Swan House when CCARE dissolved. In 2004, Our House took over the operation of Swan House.
Swan House is named in memory of Eunice Swan, a life-long member of Kairos-Milwaukie UCC. Mrs. Swan, in her 80s, was an active volunteer and could be frequently seen distributing HIV prevention materials and condom kits at information tables and booths in several public venues. Mrs. Swan was also a volunteer caregiver, providing companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation to people with HIV/AIDS in the Milwaukie area.