Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority

The Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia created, following Title 36 of the Code of Virginia. As part of the act, a local election was held on November 8, 1955 and a majority of those voting in the election approved the need for a Redevelopment and Housing Authority to be activated in the City. HRHA was organized on November 29, 1955, and it has been in continual operation since that date. HRHA assist eligible low-income families in our area with their rent through housing vouchers distributed by the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Currently, HRHA receives 956 vouchers. Our voucher program serves the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, including Bridgewater, Broadway, Dayton, Elkton, Fulks Run, Grottoes, Keezletown, McGaheysville, Mount Crawford, Penn Laird and Timberville. Our Mission Fuels Positive Growth In Our Community. To promote adequate and affordable housing economic opportunity and a suitable living environment free from discrimination; and to foster redevelopment of blighted areas to ensure the economic, social and housing vitality of our community.

Central Shenandoah Health District

The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is one of thirty-five health districts under the Virginia Department of Health. The mission of CSHD is to protect and promote the health and well-being of residents in the Central Shenandoah Valley. CSHD is comprised of seven health departments that provide public health services for the counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham along with the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro.

Strength In Peers

Strength In Peers is a nonprofit peer-run Recovery Community Organization. More than half of its Board of Directors and all staff are in active recovery from substance use, mental health, and trauma-related challenges. The organization seeks to engage individuals who face barriers to recovery, including those who are experiencing homelessness, have been involved with the criminal justice system, live in rural communities, have Medicaid or are uninsured, and distrust the behavioral health system. All services are peer designed and peer led based on staff and participants’ personal lived experiences with what works. They include street and jail outreach, individual and group peer support, youth mentoring and family support, case management, integrated counseling and psychiatry, recovery housing, homeless medical respite, and comprehensive harm reduction with needle exchange, naloxone and drug test strips distribution, rapid HIV and Hep C testing, condom distribution, and health education.

Sentara RMH

Rockingham Memorial Hospital opened its doors on October 1, 1912. In 2011 the hospital became a part of the Sentara Healthcare system and is now known as Sentara RMH Medical Center (SRMH). SRMH is a 238-bed community hospital serving a seven-county area with a population of close to 218,000 residents throughout the Shenandoah Valley.

SRMH Community Health was established in 1995 and at present oversees the following outreach and community services for:  Safe at HOME (medical alert system), FREE of Harrisonburg (durable medical equipment), Healthy Families of the Blue Ridge (home-visiting program for families), Hand-in-Hand Virginia Resource Mothers ( home-visiting program specific to teens), Toward no Tobacco (education for 6th-8th graders), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program (resides in the Emergency Department), Ready Regions North-Virginia Quality Before 5 (observations and coaching for quality child care centers), Every Women’s Life (breast and cervical cancer for uninsured/underinsured individuals), Farm Safety Day (Day long farm safety education for 3rd-8th graders), and the Healthy Community Action Team (increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables to our underserved community members).

The Arc of Harrisonburg and Rockingham

The Arc HR promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout the arc of their lifetimes. A chapter of The Arc of the US, The Arc HR was incorporated in 1962 for the purpose of grassroots advocacy.  In 1983, The Op Shop (day support for adults with I/DD) opened in response to a movement toward community-based services and away from institutionalization.  Since 2015, The Arc HR has fully transitioned Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) that promote even greater independence and community inclusion. We provide opportunities for individuals to make choices/decisions about important aspects of their lives and to develop natural supports in the community. Community Coaching (CC) and Community Engagement (CE) programs (est. 2017) increase participants’ self-determination by increasing their self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion through volunteerism and community exploration. In-home services (est. 2015) help individuals develop independent living skills and offer transportation to medical and other appointments, shopping, and recreation. Families are supported through education, information and referral and advocacy at the state and federal levels.

Church World Service Harrisonburg

Established in 1988, CWS Harrisonburg serves and advocates for refugees, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and immigrants in the Shenandoah Valley. We are dedicated to helping new neighbors integrate and thrive, and reach their full potential as contributing members of the community. In collaboration with community organizations, individuals, and faith groups, CWS Harrisonburg provides services ranging from initial reception and welcome to ongoing employment and  career training, children’s and youth programming, mental health and wellness, family resiliency and intensive case management, immigration legal services, advocacy, and emergency response.