Capital campaign nears end, hospice planned

A $22 million capital fundraising campaign is nearing its goal, strides are being made to connect Steinbach youth to health-care jobs and hospice planning is continuing for Bethesda Foundation.

Members of its board met with Steinbach city council at their strategic priorities committee meeting on April 14 to share what was a laundry list of positive news.

Board chair Chris Goertzen told council their capital campaign, dedicated to raising $22 million, has been a success.

“We have a lot of generous donors and we’re virtually complete,” he said, explaining they had only $400,000 left to raise.

That campaign helped fund the completion of the Bethesda Primary Care Centre, Stonebridge Wellness Centre, Rest Haven expansion, new surgery department and palliative care wing and future projects.

The construction of the new lab and surgery has left empty space in the local hospital and Bethesda Foundation is involved in a study to decide how best to use it.

“We know that there are many needs,” Goertzen said.

A planned hospice referred to as a comfort care home is one of the biggest advances made by Bethesda Foundation.

While last year the concept was little more than a dream, the reaching of their other fundraising goals has made potential construction a reality.

Goertzen said for many years their vision has been to create a home-like environment where families can visit comfortably and, if they wish, participate in the care of their loved ones.

“After extensive research, consultation, and planning we are now approaching the point where this vision can become a reality,” a report to council stated.

The foundation is planning the construction of a 10-unit home located north of the Primary Care Clinic which would offer a peaceful setting with views of the golf course.

The priority, Goertzen explained, is to provide compassionate end-of-life care with potential to provide respite care services as well.

“It’s important that end-of-life care is done well in our community,” he said.

That will require the extension of Heritage Parkway, a project that is expected to start this summer.

The foundation is also exploring other uses for land to the east of the Primary Care Clinic.

That includes a possible expansion of clinic space, a nurse practitioner clinic, a daycare specifically for health-care workers or more lease space for health-care service providers.

The foundation also reported on an initiative that helped boost the ranks of health-care workers.

While many of their projects bear costs in the millions of dollars, board vice-chair Waldo Neustaedter, told councillors of one project that cost a mere $17,000.

Last year Bethesda Foundation partnered with Steinbach Regional Secondary School and Red River College to offer 17 bursaries of $1,000 each to Grade 12 students enrolled in the health-care aide program.

In June those students will graduate and will be able to enter the local workforce immediately.

Neustaedter said their contribution was meant to help pay for their education but not cover the entire bill.

“It was a leg-up,” he said. “I find that really exciting (and) as fulfilling as so many of our other projects.”

The Bethesda Foundation has also committed to increasing mental health supports and has committed $250,000 to Eden Health Care Services to strengthen mental health supports through The Bridge on Third, a proposed project that will be run jointly by Eden and Steinbach Community Outreach.

“Mental health is a key reason why we have people who are homeless, a key reason why we have challenges in the community when it comes to crime and challenges in general,” Goertzen said.