After several months of remodeling to turn the once three-bedroom home into a five-bedroom home, a housewarming party was held on Nov. 9, 2022, to celebrate the opening of Shangri-La's seventh residential treatment home (RTH) -- Harlow House.
Situated in the Harlow Neighborhood in Eugene, the RTH is Shangri-La's third RTH in the Eugene-area. The home will serve five residents diagnosed with a severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). While at the home, residents will receive supports to help attain and maintain their recovery while working on goals, gaining skills, and increasing their independence.
"We are proud to respond to the huge need for more residential treatment homes in Oregon. We strongly believe that the services we provide in these homes matters greatly in helping people reach their full potential," said CEO Janet Yousey about the home's opening.
The majority of the home's purchase, remodel and start-up costs were funded by a grant from the Oregon Health Authority. Many local businesses and individual donors also contributed monetarily or with donations of goods to support the home's opening.
For example, On Point Community Credit Union donated $5,000 to purchase a durable, 8-person table for the home. A table of this size is important because it allows all of the residents and staff to meet together for weekly house meetings to discuss things like meal plans and household activities.
In addition to the five bedrooms, the home also features huge windows throughout that flood the space with natural light, a spacious outdoor patio, and numerous raised garden beds perfect for therapeutic gardening and growing food for the home.
The housewarming event was attended by several neighbors who were curious to see the home's transformation. Many also took time to learn more about Shangri-La's services, respectfully voice concerns, and have their questions answered.
Over the next few weeks, the Harlow House team will finish furnishing the home and begin transitioning residents, referred to the program by Lane County Behavioral Health, into their new home.