Community Partners Celebrate the Completion of $12.5 Million Rehab to Improve the Lives of Seniors
CONTACT: Mary K. Talbot 401.245.8819
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, November 13, 2003: Bankers, donors, architects, historic preservationists, and healthcare providers joined together today to celebrate the completion of a $12.5 million historic building renovation and the opening of Saint Elizabeth Court, Providence’s first designated affordable assisted-living facility.
"We’re thrilled to be here today, welcoming you to this beautifully restored building that contributes, once again, to the economic vitality and quality of life here in Elmwood," said Steven J. Horowitz, president and chief executive officer of The Saint Elizabeth Community. "We established our non-profit organization here in 1882 so it’s like we’re returning to our roots here today."
The Saint Elizabeth Home was founded by a group of ladies from the Grace Episcopal Church more than 120 years ago. A fire destroyed the original structure in 1916, however, it was rebuilt and reopened, operating continuously until July 2001 when 109 residents and 200 staff members were relocated to a new, updated facility in East Greenwich so that construction and renovation on the aging existing structure could begin.
Newly re-christened "Saint Elizabeth Court," the historic building has been meticulously restored and converted into 69 modern and fully equipped apartments where 70 residents can live independently and have access to housekeeping and laundry services, a social worker and/or a registered nurse, and three home-cooked meals served in the common dining room each day.
The project was made possible through an innovative initiative, the RI Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver program, which is available to elders and people with disabilities who are at risk for nursing home care and who are on SSI and Medicaid. This program is a joint effort of the Department of Human Services and the Department of Elderly Affairs. Forty-eight of the units are available for residents with low incomes and prospective tenants who are medically and financially qualified for the program will be given priority status because Saint Elizabeth Court lies within a Federal enterprise zone.
The $12.5 million financing package included $1.8 million in loans and federal tax credits worth $4.4 million from the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation.
"The demand for our resources is overwhelming. But the tough decisions become easier when we can create housing, preserve the jobs here and revitalize a neighborhood all at once," said Richard Godfrey, the agency's executive director.
The Saint Elizabeth Community also received $500,000 from the city’s HOME program and a $180,000 Federal appropriation that was sponsored through legislation submitted by United States Senator Jack Reed. The organization has also formed a limited partnership with Fleet that will provide equity to the project through the purchase of housing, Rhode Island Enterprise Zone business and federal and state historic tax credits.
"Citizens Bank is proud to have provided the lead corporate gift of $75,000 to Saint Elizabeth Court," said Joseph J. MarcAurele, president and chief executive officer of Citizens Bank. "The Saint Elizabeth Community works tirelessly to helping seniors throughout the state live independently. Saint Elizabeth Court provides seniors with access to housekeeping, meals and nursing care that allows them to maintain their independence while being well-cared for at the same time. It's a great project and we're pleased to have been part of it." Citizens Bank of Rhode Island is the largest corporate donor to the initiative. Other significant contributors to the "Taking Steps for the Future" capital campaign included the Champlin Foundations, CVS, Rhode Island Foundation and the employees of The Saint Elizabeth Community.
"Saint Elizabeth Court is a gift of the community, to the community. It’s a gesture of thanks to the generation before us for the legacy that they’ve left us, a proud symbol of our gratitude for their hard work," said Richard Crellin, chairman of the board of trustees for Saint Elizabeth Community.
During the ceremony, one individual donor was singled out for her contribution. Sarah Hallett was a member of the Community’s board of managers in the 1960s who bequeathed half of her estate to the non-profit Saint Elizabeth Community. In her will, Hallett requested that the money be put into action and not placed in an endowment. She wrote, "I believe that if my wishes are good and sensible then other donors will come forward after this money is spent." For her leadership gift, The Saint Elizabeth Community today dedicated Saint Elizabeth Court to her memory.
The Saint Elizabeth Community is a non-profit, non-sectarian charitable organization that has been providing quality care to the elderly and infirmed since its founding in 1882. With four Saint Elizabeth Community locations around Rhode Island, the people in the Community's care have access to a full range of services - independent apartments to acute care nursing – and a staff who treats them with compassion and respect. Just like family.
# # #
