Ebony House Inc: A Helping Hand for Every Individual who wants a better life
In a world grappling with the harsh realities of inequality, poverty, addiction, and profound mental health issues, NGOs emerge as vital beacons of hope. These organizations are instrumental in tackling urgent challenges, championing essential reforms, and striving to transform our society for the better. Across the United States, numerous impactful NGOs are tirelessly working to create tangible change. They raise awareness about pressing human rights violations, advocate for social justice, and promote sustainable development, embodying a powerful commitment to every worthy cause. Ebony House Inc., stands out among them, with a coveted mission: To be a ray of hope to underserved communities, helping them battle life’s difficult challenges while promoting systematic change.
For our “Organizations Dedicated to Improving People’s Lives” edition, we are proud to feature Ebony House Inc. Over the years, the NGO has built an image for helping people in living life to its fullest and catering to the most vulnerable needs of the society.
A Legacy built around changing people’s lives
Ebony House is built on principles of helping people lead healthy and happy lives – they have been the anchor of the NGO’s legacy. The NGO was started by Elbertzena Fontinote in 1973 in the heart of South Phoenix with just $500. The 70s in America was well-known for the civil rights protest and war on substance use. As a recovering alcoholic herself, Elbertzena recognized the need of starting an organization that could bring hope in the lives of people dealing with substance misuse and mental health problems. This led to the launch of her beloved organization. With sheer will power and faith in God’s voice and vision to help people, she sought to provide suitable treatments to help people live better lives.
Despite her passing in 2023, Ebony House still upholds her goals. Her legacy now flourishes under the leadership of Dr. Che Jordan (CEO). The founder’s indomitable spirit combined with Dr. Jordan’s leadership – positions the organization as a forerunner for mental health services to individuals of all races and backgrounds. Today, it has long pipeline of tailored solutions provided by an ensemble of alumni and staff members. With a focus on broadening its influence over the country, the NGO has built a reputation of its evidence-based, client-centred and results-driven therapeutic offerings.
Solutions Tailored to Particular Needs
For over 50 years, Ebony House has been a beacon of hope for the underserved communities with a range of services. It provides substance use residential treatments, outpatient services for adults, supported housing for adults, children’s mental behavioural services and HIV Outreach services. The therapeutic services have helped numerous individuals overcome their addiction problems and mend familial ties. Their patients have felt more secure in returning to their communities with a greater sense of self-respect, self-worth and self-awareness. They become equipped to withstand urges to use illegal substances, even while they are visiting friends and relatives.
The NGO also provides post-treatment support to encourage patients to stay clean. Patients can stay in touch with team onboard and frequently visit counsellor’s offices as required. The NGO also employs a 12-Step program to help them find spiritual guidance and routinely review their development. This helps them identify and work on their strength while the continuous evaluation keeps them on a sober path.
Maintaining an Innovative Stance
While Ebony House’s core is built on promoting empathy, thankfulness and respect, it also works on being innovative. To ensure it stays technologically innovative, it partners with a network of organizations that are up to date with modernized patient care and easy-to-use clinical documentation technology. Having the right technology in place helps with reducing errors, particularly in administrative work and patient documentation.
While leveraging technology to stay ahead, the NGO also believes in maintaining a human element in its framework. This helps it create a nurturing atmosphere where patients can feel safe and have easy access to resources and information. It has alumni who have been sober for 15, 20, or even 30 years. They set an example for new patients through their journey and inspire them with helpful advice. Dr. Jordan adds that many of their members have spent over a decade in the NGO and completed their program as well. By leading with examples, the NGO has built a culture on shared experiences and everyone contributes to creating an engaging community that promotes reliability and trust.
The Man Steering the ship
Ebony House is positioned to redefine the norms of helping people get over substance abuse. This is a testament of Dr. Jordan’s invaluable leadership. An activist and friend of the founder, Dr. Jordan has been a part of the NGO’s mission for many years. Ever since he took office as president in 2022, he has been instrumental in creating a care-based model based on compassion and humility. His servant leadership style has helped the NGO maintain a 90% client satisfaction rate. A major achievement that happened under his leadership is the introduction of mobile services. According to the CEO, the lack of mobile service has obstructed many individuals from availing transportation to the treatment facility.
The reform has helped individuals have an easy access to the NGO’s program. It also allows them to provide suitable transportation services, picking patients up from treatment facilities, hospitals, or their present location.
His mindset of creating a robust model for those who wants to recover has helped the NGO become innovative in employing traditional practices with modern techniques. Under his leadership, Ebony House is not only providing essential treatment services to uninsured individuals but also breaking down financial barriers to recovery and making life-changing care accessible to all.
Bestowed with many accolades
Ebony House’s mission to provide holistic therapy services that can help people lead healthier live have earned it a trove of prestigious accolades. Its focus on creating an environment where its employees and patients can thrive has earned appearances on media sites such as Sonoran Living ABC15, 2024 CEO Weekly Magazine, Business Insider Magazine, The Silicon Review, The Montel Show’s “The Balance Act,” BNS Best in The Business, Small Business Award SB100, Cox Media Yurview and CIO Today’s “Emerging Innovators: Top Personalities Driving Impact.”
Dr. Jordan’s leadership has earned him the BNS Winner Magazine Trust Award, was included in “Top 100 Innovators & Entrepreneurs” in 2024, and was named one of the “Most Influential Leaders in Health and Wellness to Watch” in the same year. Last year, he also received the 2024 American College of Healthcare Executives Regent’s Award and the 2024 World CEO Award for Best Innovative CEO in Healthcare at the city level. Such accolades demonstrate his passion towards helping people feel supported, loved, and needed in the community.
Wholesome Prospects to Explore
Ebony House has made many landmarks in its journey to help people live better lives. But the NGO still has a long way to go and has many plans in the pipeline. The vision is to create a comprehensive medical campus that caters to all facets of healthcare and support. Dr. Jordan emphasizes that this ambitious development will feature specialized facilities for teens, significantly increase the number of residential beds for both men and women, offer dedicated supported housing for individuals living with HIV, and enhance the services available at the Children’s Service Clinic. They will require funds for this, but it will be interesting to see how these plans come to fruition.
