Center for Hospice Care’s (CHC) most extensive comprehensive fundraising effort, known as Cornerstones for Living: The Crossroads Campaign, came to a successful conclusion in 2019 with contributions and pledges totaling just over $14 million – thanks to many generous donors, supporters and volunteers.
The impact of the multi-faceted Crossroads Campaign began to benefit residents of northern Indiana from its inception; this impact is expected to extend for many years to come.
“Cornerstones for Living: The Crossroads Campaign is staying true to its name as it is providing a strengthened and expanded cornerstone for Center for Hospice Care’s organizational infrastructure. We are grateful that the campaign’s success has positioned CHC to meet the increasing demand for end-of-life care in the communities we serve,” stated Mike Wargo, vice president and chief operating officer of the Hospice Foundation (HF).
Patients began receiving care in the summer of 2020 in one of the most visible bricks-and-mortar byproducts of the campaign, the Ernestine M. Raclin House. The new 12-bed inpatient care facility provides compassionate, specialized hospice care in a warm, home-like setting. The Raclin House is equipped to provide state-of-the-art medical care, while its design emphasizes comfort for patients and their loved ones. Each patient room overlooks the St. Joseph River, offers ample space and seating for visitors and includes a door that allows chairs and beds to be wheeled onto a private terrace that provides outstanding views of the river.
“The Crossroads Campaign’s impact extends far beyond the construction of new facilities. It is helping us expand support programs needed for patients’ family members and loved ones, promote community education and partnerships for better quality end-of-life care, and meet the costs of providing charity care. The campaign was grounded in CHC’s promise made to the community over 40 years ago: no person eligible for hospice services would be turned away due to an inability to pay,” said Mark Murray, President/CEO of CHC/HF.
Part of a Plan
Strategic planning initiated more than a decade ago was the genesis of the Crossroads Campaign. As CHC anticipated its capacity to meet the growing demand for hospice and palliative care, a mandate became clear: the need to provide resources required to continue delivering exceptional quality, compassionate care for generations to come.
CHC’s strategic goals provided a framework for the Crossroads Campaign. These included:
- Create a warm and welcoming campus that brings together services in one location and facilitates care of the highest order while reducing annual expenditures.
- Ensure sustainable sources of funding that will provide essential and emerging programs over the long term.
These goals provided guidance for the establishment of specific campaign financial goals prior to a quiet launch of the Crossroads Campaign in July 2014. Lead campaign gifts secured in the early months helped make way for the launch of the public phase of the campaign which was announced during a press conference on March 16, 2017.
“Gifts at all levels collectively made the Crossroads Campaign the most transformational fundraising effort in Center for Hospice Care’s history. We are grateful for the collective generosity that propelled us beyond our initial $10 million goal to a total of $14,080,165,” said Catherine Hiler, Crossroads Campaign cabinet chair.
Donor participation included individuals, foundations, corporations, charitable trusts, medium and small-sized businesses, service clubs, social groups and a wide variety of organizations.
Campaign Summary
• More than $14 million in donations and pledges.
• Mishawaka Campus Expansion:
o New 12-bed inpatient care facility, the Ernestine M. Raclin House overlooking the St. Joseph River.
o New patient care staff building to support increasing demand for care in all geographic areas served by Center for Hospice Care.
• $1 million raised to obtain a match of $1 million by the Vera Z. Dwyer Charitable Trust to establish an endowment funding hospice and palliative medicine educationfellowships.
• Established and expanded endowments to sustain and grow signature CHC programs like Camp Evergreen, After Images art counseling and “We Honor Veterans.”
• Enhanced annual giving and increased support from existing donors.
Impact Stories
Vera Z. Dwyer Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine
A focus on growing the number of professionals trained in providing hospice and palliative medicine was a component of the Crossroads Campaign. The result was the creation of the Vera Z. Dwyer Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the IU School of Medicine. Thanks to the generous support of the Vera Z. Dwyer Charitable Trust, the Hospice Foundation has established an endowment to cover the cost to send one physician, who has completed medical school as well as his/her residency, each year through the IU School of Medicine Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship program.
Linda Lloyd Mission Endowment for Camp Evergreen
A focus on growing the number of professionals trained in providing hospice and palliative medicine was a component of the Crossroads Campaign. The result was the creation of the Vera Z. Dwyer Fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the IU School of Medicine. Thanks to the generous support of the Vera Z. Dwyer Charitable Trust, the Hospice Foundation has established an endowment to cover the cost to send one physician, who has completed medical school as well as his/her residency, each year through the IU School of Medicine Hospice and Palliative Medicine fellowship program.
For more information about CHC’s services call 574-243-3100 or visit cfhcare.org. To learn more about supporting Center for Hospice Care/Hospice Foundation, please contact Chris Taelman, chief development officer, at 574-243-3713 or at TaelmanC@cfhcare.org. You may also visit FoundationForHospice.org.