Ellen’s Place
Leaving no one behind.
In 2024 a representative from Palouse Homes contacted WHEN and offered to provide a one bedroom apartment, free of charge, to assist in emergency/transitional housing for victims of domestic violence and homelessness. In consultation with Airway Heights Chief of Police, Brand Richmond, we felt that this opportunity was a blessing for the community and immediately decided to form a partnership.
Detective Corporal Erin Johnson was asked to be in charge of placing individuals in the apartment that she felt would benefit from it. When’s responsibility was to furnish the apartment and provide supplies as needed. This new facility is Ellen’s Healing Place which is a safe environment to help clients determine personal goals, engage in job search, secure permanent housing, etc.
A representative from WHEN and Detective Johnson met and created an admission process and forms to facilitate the process of admitting clients. Clients can stay in the apartment for up to 30 days while seeking resources that can help with their transition to independent living. The first client was admitted on February 13, 2025.
During their stay at Ellen’s Healing Place, clients are expected to abide by specific guidelines, complete a confidential intake and pass a criminal background check. Clients are not eligible to reside in the apartment if they have a felony conviction for the distribution of narcotic/or weapons violation or sexual assault within the last 7 years. Smoking tobacco or marijuana, vaping, or illegal drug use is not permitted in the apartment.
If needed, clients have the opportunity to get guidance and support from WHEN personnel as well as advocates from the West Plaines Victim’s services operated by Airway Heights Police Department. Ellen’s Healing place is in a confidential location.
Ellen Douglas
Ellen Elizabeth Lynch was born on September 1, 1934 to Jacob and Luceta Lynch at Sherwood Forest in Portland, Jamaica, West Indies. Ellen began her education at the Sherwood Forest Primary School in Portland, Jamaica. She furthered her education by studying at the National Association of Mental Health in Britain where she received distinction for her teaching assessments. In 1963 she founded Hope Homes, as an agency of the Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Bermuda, that became the first co-ed rehabilitation program for the learning disabled.
It’s purpose was to provide Total Personal Care for physically and intellectually disabled adults in the lower socio-economic status in Bermuda. Hope Homes became a safe and secure environment for special persons who did not require institutional care. Hope Homes also became the first day care school program in Bermuda for abused young men
In 981, she received the Bachelor of Arts in Vocational Rehabilitation from the National College of Arts and Crafts at Loretta Heights College in Colorado. As a legend of advocacy for the rights of “special persons”, she was known for the work she did to break down community barriers and dispel the myths related to mentally and physically handicapped (challenged) persons.
In 2006, she received a Masters of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of New Hampshire. She also held a teacher's training degree in Special Education, and studied Psychology, Sociology and Counselling at the University of Maryland.
Towards the end of her life Ellen’s faith in God never wavered and she was resigned to His will for her. Her greatest motivation was to live as Jesus lived and treat others the way He treated them. Her legacy lives on because of the impact she made in the lives of hundreds of disabled, marginalized and abused individuals.
