The Daily Planet
A Healthy Perspective
Donna was scared and alone when she entered The Daily Planet for the first time. Despite the familiar pang of fear that followed her around every street corner for months, at The Daily Planet she felt something else – hope and relief. Upon entering the health care center, she found a caring and dedicated team of doctors, clinicians, and case managers ready to help her regain control of her health and her life.
Donna had developed an anxiety disorder that made it difficult for her to be around people. She quit her job at a local bank and retreated into a life of seclusion. For four years, she became isolated from family and friends, rarely left her house and eventually stopped speaking. Finally, threatened with eviction, Donna was forced to leave her home with only the clothes on her back.
Living in a state of perpetual fear, Donna found refuge for several hours each day at the public library. While searching the internet for tips on how to survive life on the streets, she found a listing for The Daily Planet, which at the time housedthe Central Intake for the area’s homeless shelters. That day, Donna took her first crucial step toward self-sufficiency.
Once registered in the system, Donna received food and shelter at CARITAS and a range of necessary medical services and carethrough The Daily Planet. “I began regular therapy sessions, which helped me speak again and reintegrate socially. The most important part of my progress was being surrounded by people who believed in me before I believed in myself.” She experienced another breakthrough moment when she realized she was smiling a few weeks later.
With support from The Daily Planet, Donna no longer felt the need to escape her life. She wanted to live it. Her journey to get back on her feet included living in The Daily Planet’stransitional shelter and enrolling in classes at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Today, Donna is employed as a peer specialist for the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority where she encourages individuals with mental illness to find their own path to health and happiness.
The Jenkins Foundation, a supporting organization of TCF, has helped to transform the lives of people like Donna by helping to expand mental health services at The Daily Planet. Recent grants also supported enhancements to the dental clinic and provided for healthcare services through a number of outreach sites. In addition, the Richmond Eye & Ear Foundation Fund supports staffing and equipment for The Daily Planet’s Eye Care Clinic. Together, these funding partners help ensure access to comprehensive and integrated health care for the uninsured.