Local 501 Members Staff Unique Home in BC

DATE: October 18, 2011

Vernon, BC—Members of Service, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union, Local 501, have begun work at The Caring House, a unique home providing hospice for family and friends of loved ones who receive medical treatment at local hospitals or care facilities.

The heritage property, originally built as a teahouse in old downtown, recently celebrated its grand opening. It has been fully renovated to accommodate a number of families or patients in need of support and is staffed by Local 501 members working for We Care and volunteers.
 
Support for the home was widespread as the community generously donated supplies and human resources for the renovations. Holly Malfair, owner of We Care Okanagan, is leasing the home for $1.00 per month to the society running the facility. “Putting the hospitality into health care” is the motto by which she runs her organization. Any profits that come from The Caring House will be donated back to the community.

For $40 per night, a friend or family member of a loved one can stay in the house. Fresh baked goods are offered every morning to give the facility a touch of home. The Caring House is the only facility of its kind currently in the province and a model for more to come.