The Brain Foundation truly does amazing work - on a shoestring budget and with 100% volunteer labor they manage to be the lifeline and safety net for those who need it most.
I have supported the Brain Foundation from it's inception both financially and as a member of the board of directors providing technical and communication support the foundation. The Brain Foundation is truly and all volunteer effort and I have never witnessed such a great group of people giving so generously their time, money and love for such a great cause, year after year.
The Brain Foundation is not only a blessing in the community, but the amount of "good" they do is unmeasured. This organization aims to help people when they need it the most and help to coordinate services that many other organizations just say "it is not their "problem"". The time and dedication the people of the organization puts in is unmatched.
Run by a great group of people helping a part of our community that normally is shunned by society. They have FUN fundraisers.
Was recruited 5 years ago to be a house rep/handy man. Great group of fellow volunteers (the whole organization is volunteer). Very rewarding work to keep the mission of providing affordable housing, let alone even housing to these disadvantaged individuals.
There are up to 36 people who are not homeless because of the Brain Foundation (BF). Aside from housing, the BF has social activity opportunities for the residences. The BF is an ALL volunteer organization with enthusiastic volunteers. An exceptional organization.
As a family member of a person with a brain illness, I became aware of The Brain Foundation and began volunteering for it years ago. Since then, I've seen firsthand the tremendous benefit it provides its clients, who have safe, affordable, and really NICE housing in one of its nine homes. By partnering with existing local counseling services, The Brain Foundation can focus on the considerable home maintenance needed by nine homes, and all the county & federal housing paperwork, but still ensure their clients receive mental health support. While my own family member isn't a resident at this point, my hope is to see other nonprofits like The Brain Foundation be established in the coming years. The wait list for subsidized housing is fairly overwhelming in Fairfax County, and The Brain Foundation is one of the very few organizations dedicated to housing people with a mental health condition. I'm continually impressed by the wonderful people I volunteer with, and the positive effects that independent living has on all the residents and their families. I also volunteer for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and can say firsthand that one of the greatest concerns among families is the lack of subsidized independent housing for their mentally ill relatives. The Brain Foundation is a beacon of light for these families; if only there were many more organizations just like it.
The Brain Foundation is an all-volunteer, 100% funded through generous donations. It provides housing to individuals with Brain diseases who might otherwise be homeless. This is a true community effort.
The Brain Foundation has helped to house emotionally and mentally ill people for many years in Fairfax County, Virginia. Because there is always a severe shortage of housing for those people in the county, the Brain Foundation helps in a significant way to give homes to many who would otherwise be homeless. This is an extremely worthwhile nonprofit with loving and caring staff. They deserve excellent recognition for their work.
I've had a close friend for years.. who has worked as a volunteer for many many years for the Brain Foundation. She has moved to AZ so is not able to do as much. Her son is in one of the homes. He has been there for many years. As a mother myself, I can see hoe Dotti's worries would be awful if she could not count on the Brain Foundation. I highly praise your foundation.
Lauchette Low
The Brain Foundation started by a Realtor in memory of her daughter Laura is just amazing. It helps adults with mental disabilities lead independent lives in the homes purchased by the foundation. This helps families who have adults know that they can be independent in a safe environment. Seeing the residents happy, independent and safe under one roof Gives them a sense of accomplishment, and family. We could use more homes especially during these times. Trudy Harsh is amazing
The best way to help mentally ill citizens have a Home of Their Own is to buy a house for them. The Brain Foundation brought nine houses and created homes for 36 tenants. My son with schizophrenia lives in one of these homes and it literally saved his life. He now shares a home with three other guys; they cook, clean and help each other with their medications. The Brain Foundation has found a real answer to homelessness, living on the streets, or in our jails. A sister organization is located in Orlando Florida. A great thing about TBF is that we will help you create your own group home by joining our non-profit or creating your own. We are an all-volunteer organization so every dime goes to our tenants and the maintenance of our homes.
I was introduced to the organization about 5 years ago and the founder's story really resonated with me. I have had close family members who have suffered with mental illness and my heart goes out to those who struggle with their own issues. Trudy Harsh founded the organization to provide safe, clean housing to those who might otherwise become homeless and at risk. There is such a shortage of viable housing options for those with mental illness. I've been involved with the organization ever since and have become a Board member and most recently, President. We have 9 homes with the capacity to house 36 individuals at well below market rate rent. We rely on other non profits to provide counseling services to our residents.
I was first introduced to The Brain Foundation through Dotti McKee, who is a Member of the Board. Dotti and I have been close friends ever since we first met back in 2000. Over the years, I have been an enthusiastic and avid supporter of this remarkable nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. The Brain Foundation serves so many with empathy, kindness, and compassion and provides safe, affordable, and comfortable housing for those in need. It truly is a righteously wonderful and worthwhile organization and it really does work!
When my son was 22, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As a result of this life-changing experience, I joined the The Brain Foundation which houses people with brain diseases such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We are an all-volunteer organization, and have just completed our ninth house. 36 adults now have a safe and affordable place to live. My son has lived in a group home for ten years and has not been in a hospital or jail or shelter since he moved in. This model works! Thank You to The Brain Foundation.
The Brain Foundation is an amazing organization. It currently provides 28 individuals with absolutely needed housing. Fairfax County has an incredible amount of the need, and the Brain Foundation makes a substantial contribution to helping in this area. It operates efficiently, with great sympathy and humanity.
My 42 year old daughter is served by the Brain Foundation. It has given her a sense of pride in her surroundings, safety and comfort in a home to call her own, and an ability to grow to be a good citizen and adult.
I have contributed financially to The Brain Foundation since it began. The idea of keeping mentally ill people in comfortable homes with affordable rent expenses is so much better than their being in jail or living on the streets. I have been a volunteer for over three and a half years. One story from a tenant was that her father who was in his seventies had to keep working so he could provide for her needs. She is now independant in one of our homes. It was a success story for both of them. With the purchase or our seventh house we will be able to house four more individuals in the next month. That will make our total of residents 28. The Brain Foundation board is totally volunteer. We are not paid for our time spent participating. I am proud to be part of such a talented group of professionals.
The Brain Foundation currently has five houses available to adults suffering with mental illness. Each house must be located within walking distance of a shopping area and located on a public transportation line as many of the residents do not own vehicles or drive. Each house has either all male or all female residents. Professional councilors are available to the residents to assist with any problems that the residents cannot resolve themselves.
My son has been a resident for the past five years in the first house acquired by the Brain Foundation. Prior to coming here, he lived with my wife and me for over 18 years. There was no available housing in our area. After 18 years on a waiting list the Brain Foundation opened their first house and my son moved it. All residents must be able to care for themselves as far as personal care, cooking, doing laundry etc. There is no “live in” staff. Residents must pay for their room as this is not a public funded program. Each resident is evaluated and a fee is assigned according to their ability to pay.
The purpose of this program is to assist residents with life skills outside an institutional environment. None of the staff of the Brain Foundation receive any pay for the hours they expend on behalf of the residents. They are a group of people who just desire to make a difference in this world.
The Brain Injury Foundation continues to make great strides in ensuring those services and supports needed for their consumers IN THE COMMUNITY so that institutionalization is not the default way of life. KUDOS for their untiring efforts!!!
I have known Trudy Harsh, the President/CEO and visionary of the Brain Foundation for over 30 years. She has put together a strong Board of Directors who conduct all of the staff functions without compensation. They have used their career experience in real estate, property management, law, IT development, grants management, accounting, budgeting, politics, housing funding, and other fields to establish and operate affordable housing without a high level of administrative overhead. The only administrative cost is to conduct the annual financial audit.
The story of The Brain foundation is told in the profile. My family knew Laura Harsh since she was a child and became good friends of the entire family. When Laura passed away and Trudy established the Brain Foundation, she asked me to serve on the Board of Directors.
Remarkably, The Foundation is entirely volnteer and yet in a few short years has aquired six homes providing safe housing for dozens in need.