Who is Kimberlin Correa?

Kimberlin Correa is the founding Executive Director and CEO of The INN Between, Utah’s first hospice residence dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness. She is recognized as a passionate advocate for providing compassionate, dignified end-of-life care to terminally ill and medically frail individuals who have no stable housing.

 

Kimberlin's Role in Founding The INN Between

• Origins: The idea for The INN Between was born in 2010 in response to the urgent need for hospice care among Salt Lake City’s homeless population. Many terminally ill individuals had nowhere safe to go for their final days, often dying alone on the streets or in shelters unequipped for such care.

• Actualization: Kimberlin played a pivotal role in operationalizing the idea of The INN Between. She joined the exploratory committee in 2013 and took a leadership role in establishing the nonprofit organization, raising funds, securing the location, and creating the program. She became the organization's first Executive Director in January 2015, committing herself full-time to the cause.  

• Opening: On August 17, 2015, Kimberlin opened The INN Between's doors, launching the 16-bed social-model hospice pilot program that would be the first of its kind to offer a safe, supportive environment where medically frail individuals could heal and terminally ill individuals could spend their final days with dignity and access to medical care.

• Expansion: In 2018, in response to overwhelming demand for beds, Kimberlin raised funds to purchase a large nursing home, transforming the pilot program into a 50-bed, state-licensed Assisted Living Facility Type II. 

• Core Values: Kimberlin established The INN Between's original core values of dignity, respect, kindness, compassion, and honesty. She quickly added the core value of forgiveness because people are not perfect, and everyone deserves a second chance. She prioritized reconnecting clients with estranged family members so they could make amends before it was too late. 

• Community Impact: The INN Between, Kimberlin's legacy, has become a vital resource, reducing the number of people dying on the streets and providing a model for compassionate end-of-life care for the homeless. 

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Advocacy Efforts

• Raising Awareness: Kimberlin worked towards recognizing "medically frail and terminally ill" individuals as a specific subgroup within the homeless community. This advocacy opened the door for targeted funding and services aimed at supporting this population.

• Public Voice: She championed zoning and policy changes to facilitate the establishment of hospice facilities for the homeless. Throughout her efforts, she consistently highlighted the importance of ensuring dignity for all community members at the end of life.

• Medicaid Initiatives: Kimberlin advocated for modifications to Utah Medicaid regulations to introduce a medical respite benefit for homeless individuals. Her efforts contributed to the successful passage of House Bill 34 in 2021.

• Fundraising and Community Outreach: She organized fundraising events and community outreach initiatives to support The INN Between's mission. These efforts were instrumental in engaging community support and securing the necessary resources for ongoing operations.

 

Recognition

Kimberlin Correa is widely recognized in Utah and beyond for her leadership in founding and guiding The INN Between, as well as her ongoing advocacy for vulnerable individuals as they approach the end of life.

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Awards

• Human Rights Community Organization Award, Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission, 2016.

• Award for Excellence in Social Work Leadership, Agency of the Year, Society for Social Work Leadership in Healthcare, Utah Chapter, 2016.

• Utah Housing Matters Agency of the Year, Utah Housing Coalition, 2016.

• Utah Ethical Leadership Award for Nonprofit Finalist, Daniels Fund, University of Utah, 2017.

• Emerging Nonprofit Leader, Utah Nonprofits Association, 2017.

• Outstanding Development Officer, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Utah Chapter, 2018.​