Build Me Up: Giving Hope to Burn Survivors with Firefighters For Healing

When Minneapolis Firefighter Jake LaFerriere survived career-ending burn injuries in 2010, he felt little hope for his future. But he soon discovered that his mission in life had changed from firefighting to helping burn survivors find hope and healing, and the non-profit Firefighters For Healing was born.

Over the past decade, Firefighters For Healing has helped countless burn survivors and families of first responders by bringing joy, hope and relief as they endure the treatment and healing process. When tragedy strikes, families rush to the hospital, often times from out of town, with little thought about what to bring, how long they will be away from home, and where they will stay. Firefighters For Healing steps in to provide free housing, resources and support for patients and families.

The non-profit’s new Transitional Healing Center, part of the Moment development in downtown Minneapolis near Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), is currently under construction. As the first of its kind in the Midwest, the space will include fully furnished suites and community spaces for burn survivor families, rental offices for nonprofits and other providers, and a much-needed space for families and survivors to cope and heal before heading home.

On the latest episode of KA’s Build Me Up podcast, Firefighters for Healing Founder Jake LaFerriere and Director of Social Media Paula Wilhelm discuss the non-profit, how it came to be, and what they have planned for the future.

Camp RED

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Even in Jake’s darkest moments of his recovery, he remained fixated on how he could help others. He met two young boys in the hospital who were recovering from severe burns at the same time he was. They ultimately inspired Jake’s past decade of creating hope and change through Firefighters For Healing, that includes starting  Camp RED, which was designed for young burn survivors and their families. The 4-day residential camp is for children between 5-16 years old who have survived burn trauma, giving them a chance to connect with other survivors, receive support, and create positive memories that help them work through a variety of emotions. While the camp is designed for kids, Jake and Paula agree that Camp RED has been especially helpful for parents and caregivers of the burn survivors. The stress of recovery can last years, with ongoing treatments and therapy sessions that often bring families back to the hospital where they first experienced this trauma. Camp RED is often the first chance that families have had to relax, unwind, and take a vacation. It allows families to take a step toward healing from the emotional trauma they have endured.

The Transitional Healing Center

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#cc0202″ class=”” size=”18″]”These people go into tragedy to help us. This is one way that we can help them when they’re at their lowest.”[/perfectpullquote]

Firefighters For Healing is taking its next impactful step by building a $6 million Transitional Healing Center, which is currently under construction in downtown Minneapolis. When a representative from Firefighters For Healing meets a burn survivor’s family, it’s usually within the first 24 hours of the life-altering injury. Families come from all over the Midwest to receive care at Hennepin County Medical Center’s burn unit. They arrive frightened, stressed out, and with little thought about clothes, meals, or a place to stay. Through a partnership with HQ Apartments, part of the KA Block and just steps from HCMC, families have a comfortable and safe place to stay that allows them to be close to their loved ones. The Transitional Healing Center, designed by ESG Architects, will provide common space, office space and 12 one bedroom units. It includes ample shared spaces for meals and community-building events, and will eventually have skyway access directly to the hospital. The space was designed to feel like a firehouse, with artifacts from Minneapolis’ oldest firehouse sprinkled throughout the space. When it is complete the Transitional Healing Center will be the first of its kind, a major milestone for Firefighters For Healing.

To learn more about Firefighters For Healing, tune in to the latest episode of Build Me Up. You can subscribe to Build Me Up wherever you listen to podcasts. If you are interested in donating, volunteering, attending events or donating on Giving Tuesday, visit FirefightersForHealing.org.