Mission
Helping to break the cycle of homelessness through quality healthcare, sheltering and case management.
Awards & Recognition
- Recipient 2019 El Paso County’s Public Health Champion
- Recipient 2014 Community Health Association of Mountain/Plains States (CHAMP) Outstanding Advocate of the Underserved Award
- Recipient 2002 National Humanitarian Physician Assistant of the Year
Our History
Our story started in 2011 when Greg Morris, a Certified Physician Assistant, partnered with a local Pikes Peak Region hospital and six non-profit organizations to establish a Recuperative Care pilot program. The goal was to identify how to improve patient recoveries and health outcomes after a hospital discharge, and to quantify cost savings to hospitals as a result of reduced bed days and re-admissions.
After one year, the pilot program successfully prevented unnecessary, costly hospitalizations by creating shelter space for the chronically homeless to safely recuperate off the streets from an illness or surgery. It demonstrated a critical need in the community to bridge hospital, health services, case management and housing resources for a vulnerable population.
Ascending to Health received its 501(c) 3 non-profit determination in 2012 and since has provided recuperative and respite services to nearly 700 individuals in the Pikes Peak region.
In 2014, under the premise that “Housing is Healthcare,” ATHRC established A Step Up, the supportive housing component of our mission for persons with life limiting illnesses.
Timeline
