The Fisher House
The Fisher House, located at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas opened 1994. The Fisher House was post operational management until 1995 when MEDCOM assumed operational control of all Fisher Houses at Army Installations.
Mission
To Provide a "Home away from home” for families of Service Members being treated at a Medical Treatment Facility with a comfortable, peaceful, home-like environment within walking distance of hospital.while at the same time keeping it a low cost haven, no-cost haven for families, thus easing their financial burden. Clean linens, towels, laundry and cleaning supplies, and some food are provided at most locations. Access to social workers, chaplains and other professionals, are supplied as needed.
Click on the image of the entrance to read the plaque inscription more clearly!
History
- Zachary Fisher, 1910-1999; established Fisher House Foundation, Inc.
- Total of 86 Fisher Houses built throughout the U.S. and Germany
- 1991--1st Fisher House, Bethesda, MD
- 1995--Army established centralized program
- 1998--Congress directed all Services to centralize/operate as NAFIs
Program Management
- The Surgeon General is Army staff proponent
- US Army MEDCOM operates all Army houses
- Full-time program manager
- Full-time house managers
- MEDCOM Fisher House NAFI is sole fund source
Operations and Funding
- Army has a centralized program
- Army Fisher Houses are run as a non-appropriated fund instrumentality (NAFI)
- Charitable contributions, especially Combined
- Federal Campaign (CFC), are critically important;
- Nightly service fee charged doesn’t cover costs, (this cost is currently being paid for by the Fisher House Foundation)
Funding Sources
Army Fisher Houses receive no appropriated funds. NAF funds come from 3 sources:
- Service fees (F)
- Collected from guests (FHF paying this cost);
- Interest income (I) earned on
- The corpus of our NAFI; and donations (D)
Donations is the only acceptable and feasible way to increase funding and retain a low cost no-cost safe haven for our military families during their time of need.
Description
- The house is a comfortably furnished home provided by Zachary and Elizabeth M. Fisher.
- Fisher House is designed to provide seven families with a private room and bath. Two rooms are handicap accessible.
- Houses features include a large dining room, living room, kitchen, laundry room and a computer room.
Donations
- House receives no appropriated funds.
- All support is gained from Volunteer groups,
- Spouse’s clubs, Family support groups, Civic and
- Military organizations.
- Contributions made directly to the EAMC Fisher House – Fort Gordon benefit the house.
- House has a full-time manager.1flex employee
- Volunteer support enhances daily operations.
- Volunteers have provided meals, household items, rides, visits and monetary donations.
- Volunteers make the house a home.
Eligibility and Cost
WBAMC Fisher House helps Active Duty, Retirees and Veteran personnel from all Branches of Service and their Families. Cost to stay at the Fisher House is $ 10.00 a day, which currently is assumed by the FHF so there is no-cost what-so-ever for the Family to stay at the Fisher House.
Room is for families of inpatients currently admitted at WBAMC, VA Hospitals, Local Hospital are in the area. When the house is full, families are placed on a waiting list.
The Army’s Home for Health…
Saving Lives and Fostering Healthy and Resilient People
~ Partnerships Built on Trust