Welcome

Transforming Lives One Day at a Time

Here to help decrease the stress that comes with growing up with Sickle Cell Disease.

Memo

The work is in progress for this project…

Background

There have been remarkable medical advancements that are allowing young individuals with sickle cell disease to now reaching adulthood, necessitating a critical transition from pediatric to adult healthcare, commonly referred to as “Transition.” However, a significant challenge emerges, as many young adults often lack the necessary self-management skills and medical knowledge for a successful transition.

Addressing this issue, a transitional housing program for young adults with sickle cell disease becomes a vital component of a comprehensive and coordinated approach. The Warrior House, Inc., is an example of this program providing housing program while aiding with healthcare access management, education attainment and life/soft skills classes to these young adults during their transition process.

The program's central objective is to offer affordable housing to these individuals while equipping them with crucial sickle cell education; including classes in medical and financial literacy, practical insights from sickle cell support groups, and life-skill courses tailored to their specific needs.

This comprehensive education is essential for achieving the desired outcome of enabling these young adults to develop a profound understanding of their condition, achieve health stability, reduce the frequency of sickle cell crises, and successfully transition to permanent housing all awhile living healthy.

Our Mission

At The Warrior House, Inc., our mission is to create a secure and nurturing haven for young individuals living with Sickle Cell Disease as they transition from pediatric care to adult care. Our primary goal is to assist these warriors in locating experienced and compassionate medical professionals who understand their unique needs.

In addition, we are dedicated to equipping them with comprehensive education and life skills to enhance their Sickle Cell Disease awareness. Our aim is to empower them to lead healthier lives with minimal Sickle Cell crises, even as they transition to independent living.

Our Services

We provide a comprehensive array of services to our residents, encompassing:

-Daily Living Assistance

-Sickle Cell Disease Support Groups

-Educational and Vocational Planning Assistance

-Medical and Mental Health Referral Support

-Guidance and Assistance with Benefits Applications

-Exploring entrepreneurship avenues for Warriors

-Sickle Cell-Conscious Recreational Activities

-Warrior Life Skills Classes, covering topics such as gardening, nutrition, meal preparation, pain management, post-hospitalization self-care, career planning, and medical and financial literacy, among others.

Our Staff

At The Warrior House, our dedicated staff members are specially trained to provide compassionate care to our residents who are warriors. The Warrior House's founder is also a warrior and is an integral part of our staff, helping our caretakers better understand the unique needs of warriors. Our mission at The Warrior House is to support, educate and help youth become sickle aware as they transition into adulthood while living with Sickle Cell.

Our housing program is a nurturing environment where we come together to prepare healthy meals that promote red blood cell production and improve blood circulation. We encourage outdoor activities like heart-healthy walks to enhance blood circulation and lung function. Within these walls, we recognize the importance of reducing stress and increase rest and striving for balance in our daily lives. Moreover, this is a place where we understand that laughter is also a medicine and try to do so every day.

This housing program is an environment where you can be sickle cell aware and make acceptable accommodations for ourselves and not feel bad because we KnowThySickleCD!

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About the Founder

The Warrior House, Inc. was founded by Haitian native, Valancia.

“My parents were instructed to travel to the US if they wanted to give me a fighting chance at life when I was diagnosed at two years old with Sickle Cell Beta-Thalassemia.”

Growing up, I benefited from numerous sickle cell support groups, organizations, and individuals who helped patients with sickle cell disease. Understanding, educating, and advocating for Sickle Cell has always been a passion of mine. Helping and giving back to the community has made me the Sickle Cell Warrior, I am today. I have volunteered over 1,000+ hours with numerous organizations that have all aided with sickle cell. Many hours were spent at various hospitals, blood banks, houses, camps, and other locations. I was given a Humanitarian award, while in high school by former Mayor Glenda Hood. Right before my college years, I was crowned, Miss American Co-Ed, 3rd-runner up, with sickle cell as my platform. Later that same year, I received two scholarships in recognition of my volunteer efforts—opening the door to my academic journey at the University of Central Florida.

After graduating college, I worked in Corporate America for a few years as an Accountant. I found it difficult to balance work life and family life with my illness. I took some time off and focused on my health and raising the children. The time spent at home allowed the opportunity to focus on my health and learn what worked best for my sickle cell. With proper nutritional diet, exercise and rest; I have learned how to live peacefully with my sickle cell; overall decreasing hospitalized crisis.

Recently, after a major life change, I realized the one constant in my life is and will always be sickle cell. And so, it was time to return to my passion, advocating, educating, and helping other warriors. Despite all the sickle cell hardships, I am in my 40 ‘s, alive, well, and striving to help other warriors learn how to thrive, despite living with sickle cell anemia.

This home was founded in memory of all the warriors that we’ve known and have felt their suffering, due to mismanaged Sickle Cell. This is a place where we strive daily to be healthy by understanding our bodies. Giving it the proper things needed for the fight; all while supporting, encouraging, and living joyfully together as

Sickle Cell Warriors on the same battlefield!

Welcome

Transforming Lives One Day at a Time