Healing the Mind. Strengthening the Body. Restoring Control.
When a woman arrives at YWCA Interim House, she may be carrying more than the trauma of abuse. Many survivors face untreated medical conditions, chronic stress, unmanaged medications, or barriers to accessing healthcare.
Our Nurse Navigation Program ensures that health and wellness are not overlooked in the journey toward safety and stability.
What Is Nurse Navigation?
Nurse Navigation provides individualized health support for residents of YWCA Interim House. Through assessment, education, advocacy, and connection to community providers, our Nurse Navigator helps remove barriers to care and promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Healing must address the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.
Measurable Impact
100%
identified strategies to enhance personal safety
100%
increased knowledge of community resources
91.6%
assessed or referred for medical/health services
90%
successfully navigated medical and health resources
These outcomes reflect not just access — but empowerment.
Health & Wellness Services Include
On-Site Health Assessments
- Monitoring vital signs (BP, temperature, pulse, respiration, blood sugar, oxygen levels)
- Health screenings (COVID, Hepatitis B & C, HIV)
- Medication review and compliance support
Medical Referrals & Community Partnerships
Residents have access to trusted community providers including:
- Wayne State University Street Medicine
- SAY Detroit Health Clinic
- Cabrini Health Clinic
- Corktown Health
Our Nurse Navigator works collaboratively with these providers to ensure residents receive appropriate, timely care — without unnecessary ER visits or confusion navigating the system.
Health Education & Prevention
Education is empowerment. Residents receive in-house education on:
- Hygiene and sanitation
- Disease management and prevention
- First aid
- Medication understanding
- Safety planning related to health
- Stress and trauma reduction
Education is also provided in partnership with the City of Detroit Behavioral Health Community Outreach Department.
When women understand their health, they regain control.
Removing Barriers to Care
Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming — especially during crisis. Our Nurse Navigator:
- Advocates for clients within medical systems
- Assists with appointment scheduling and follow-up
- Helps secure referrals and resources
- Provides guidance for informed health decisions
- Reduces stress related to accessing care
By removing barriers, we reduce anxiety — and restore confidence.
Healing Through Connection & Therapeutic Engagement
Health is not only clinical. It is relational. Residents are offered stress-reducing and therapeutic activities designed to promote emotional healing and restore joy, including:
- Creative expression (painting sessions, arts & crafts)
- Karaoke and storytelling
- Exercise and movement activities
- Guided discussions about feelings and wellness
These moments create space for emotional release, community bonding, rebuilding self-esteem, and learning healthy coping strategies.
Supporting Children’s Wellness
Children residing at Interim House are also supported through age-appropriate wellness activities, including:
- Storytelling and imaginative play
- Hygiene and healthy eating education
- Safety awareness lessons
- Exercise and team-building games
- Creative arts
- “Feelings Count” conversations that allow emotional expression
Early exposure to healthy habits builds lifelong resilience.
Advocacy in Action
Our Nurse Navigator serves not only as a healthcare guide — but as an advocate. Through ongoing training, collaboration, and direct resident engagement, the program:
- Promotes informed decision-making
- Strengthens self-efficacy
- Improves quality of life
- Supports disease prevention
- Builds confidence in navigating healthcare systems
This work helps survivors move from crisis to stability — and from survival to wellness.
Why It Matters
When stress is reduced, women can think clearly, problem-solve, plan for the future, focus on safety, and rebuild their lives. Health stability creates space for long-term independence.
Support Whole-Person Healing
The Nurse Navigation Program ensures that no woman’s health is overlooked in her journey toward safety. If you would like to support health and wellness services at YWCA Interim House, we invite you to contribute or learn more about our programs.