Noteboom The Law Firm

Miami’s New Fisher House Opens

September 22, 2010 - Miami's new Fisher House attempts to alleviate the burden of family members who come to VA medical centers to support their loved ones undergoing treatment by providing a free and comfortable place to stay. The new Fisher House is located near the Bruce W. Carter Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Miami and is available to the families of veterans who need a temporary place to stay while visiting veteran patients at the VA medical center.

The Miami Fisher House is the first one in Southern Florida and only the 4th in the state. The Fisher House provides a temporary and free residence for visiting family members, and is designed to be a home away from home. The home is a communal living environment, which boasts:

• 20 rooms;
• Private baths;
• Community living rooms;
• Community kitchens;
• Multiple stoves and ovens;
• Linens; and
• Dressers.

The Miami Fisher House was built and furnished for around $7 million with $2 million coming from local fundraisers, including a contribution from the Miami-Dade County Commission. The majority of the money was donated by the Fisher House Foundation, a non-profit organization responsible for having built 47 such homes since 1990.

Traveling to support a loved one undergoing treatment in the Miami VA medical center is a stressful experience in itself. Being able to stay in a home-like environment with other people who are there for the same reason reduces stress levels, according to the house manager. The Miami Fisher House has an added amenity, as well. Someone donated the NFL package to the house to help make the stays even more comfortable by allowing visitors to watch every NFL game played on Sundays.