The John Henry Foundation provides a strategic service. If not for JHF what is the alternative?
JHF is a community experience. The clients eat together, play pool, do crafts, therapeutic groups, on site jobs, friends, projects... Lots of people don’t have those experiences, anywhere.
The staff work together to coordinate medications, dental/doctor appointments.
The environment and staff is supportive; allowing for a structure that encourages socialization, so that the clients can co-exist.
The JHF community helps develop tools such as personal hygiene, play, working together, impulse control and modulation of distortion that permits function in the outside world. Teaching values of living together, consideration of one another is something not to be taken for granted. The JHF works for a challenging population of people, by creating a environment that supports Life.
The John Henry Foundation is a wonderful place for adults with schizophrenia to achieve long-term stability in a truly caring environment. The staff includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, experienced caregivers and professionals who really know how to build and maintain a successful program. The various elements emphasize mastering life skills, engaging in fun & educational outings in the local community, healthy eating, on-site classes and family involvement. The John Henry Foundation creates a platform for people with schizophrenia to achieve their highest level of success in managing their illness while living a fulfilling life.
My sister currently lives at John Henry. The grounds are peaceful with cats walking around, shady trees to sit under, and very nice and peaceful for the residents. Her room is modern, clean, each building on the campus is painted with lots of landscaping. I've eaten at the location too on some of the days I had visited my sister and the food was delicious and healthy. I would encourage anyone who has a family member with schizophrenia to visit the place themselves and look around to see what it is like.
My brother has the diagnosis of schizophrenia and has carried this throughout his adult life. He is now 59 years old. As with many with this diagnosis, life has not been easy, for my brother or for our small family. Like so many others, we have explored and experienced residential and treatment options in Orange County and elsewhere in Southern California. We have weathered the non-compliance and the resulting hospitalizations, as well as the medical challenges this population faces as they age. Various outpatient treatment programs and supportive living environments have been short term solutions, but all ultimately proved to be inadequate in terms of quality of life, resources and support. Since my brother's admission to the John Henry Foundation three years ago, life for him and for our family has changed for the better. The physical campus, the community setting, and the competent and caring staff exceed what I ever thought we would find for my brother. I trust the John Henry Foundation with my brother's care, and I am committed to supporting the Foundation. My frequent visits to the facility always leave me impressed and grateful. The fact that my brother raves about where he lives stands in stark contrast to his past comments about previous residential situations. I strongly encourage any family committed to providing and supporting a safe, therapeutic and positive residential experience for their loved one with a diagnosis of mental illness to explore the John Henry Foundation website and perhaps reach out to staff if interested.
The John Henry Foundation saved my son's life. Diagnosed as a schizophrenic, he was living in a variety of board and care homes ill equipped to deal with the severity of his illness. David has been at John Henry for almost five years now and although his issues have not disappeared the entire staff has been amazing in their dedication to his needs. David loves the structured atmosphere of daily meetings and jobs that he volunteers to do. In addition to regular staff, there are interns from UC Irvine who give counsel. Best of all, John Henry is a caring community of residents who enjoy each other. They play pool, chess, or video games in the rec room and are polite and cordial to everyone. Parents are kept informed with Zoom meetings, emails, and phone calls. The director, Mindy Andrews is an outstanding individual leading a team of employees who are focused on helping each resident become their best person. They don't give up on anyone and show outstanding patience in helping an individual move forward in life.
My family member has been a resident for over 15 years. The staff are kind and professional. The JHF is a top notch organization. I feel so blessed that our family found the JHF.
The John Henry Foundation was a godsend program for my son, who suffers from schizophrenia. My best friend, who lives in Orange County read an article on the Orange County Register and send me the link. https://www.ocregister.com/2018/07/25/in-a-santa-ana-neighborhood-people-living-with-schizophrenia-find-an-oasis/
I immediately contacted the facility to find out more information. WOW!! Once I visit with Dr. Andrew and a few of the interns, I was completely sold! Now, it was up to my son to give the final approval. As you well know, people with this disorder, do not like change and are extremely skeptical. My son was no different but after our initial visit, he too was sold on the JHF and looked forward to becoming a resident.
He’s now been there over two years and life has improved drastically for him and our family. He lost 25 pounds in the first six months, he’s made friends and is thriving! For us, we would not have been able to care for him 24/7 and offer the lifestyle that he needs and deserves.
I cannot say enough good things about JHF, the staff, the doctors and the curriculum. Once you visit and see with your own eyes, you’ll never look back!
The previous post complaining about JHF could not be more wrong. The poster must be mistaking this place with somewhere else. My sibling has been living at the JHF for the past several years. The staff, grounds and activities have helped her not only live with, but thrive in spite of, her illness. The management of JHF is energetic, kind and client-focused. Their management and relationship with clients and families were tested during the pandemic, and they passed with flying colors. JHF is a rare find and a godsend for those looking for a safe and beautiful environment in which their love one can learn to live with and manage their illness and eventually graduate to independent living.