Holland Christian Homes residents and guests filled Heritage Hall to its capacity for a very special ceremony with a visit of Dipika Damerla, the Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Other residents could follow the ceremony and presentations through HCH internal closed circuit television system.
The Ontario Government has made a commitment to renovate and upgrade 300 long-term care homes and to provide construction funding subsidies. Among the first six projects approved is the construction of a new 120-bed Faith Manor adjacent to the current home on the existing HCH property.
New HCH CEO Ken Rawlins welcomed the Minister, the other dignitaries, media, residents and guests and led the audience in the singing of two verses of ‘0 Canada. He then introduced the speakers. First to speak was Minister Dipika Damerla.
“Long-term care homes like Faith Manor are not just facilities -they are people’s homes. It is vital that they remain up-to-date to provide residents with secure, safe and comfortable surroundings.”
The Minister expects within a year or two that there will be more people over the age of 65 than under the age of 14. She also noted that the redevelopment of long term care homes will also help create jobs in the Brampton area.
Vic Dhillon, MPP for Brampton West, made the formal announcement of the construction funding subsidy for HCH. He reiterated the firm commitment of the Ontario Government for the redevelopment of long-term care homes. Maria Britto, Chair of the Central West LHIN, remarked that HCH is a model for seniors’ care that provides a vast array of programs, services and types of living, representing the true definition of community.
The final speaker was Keith Ambtman, President of HCH, who said that this was the 30th year of operating Faith Manor at HCH, which more than 1000 residents call their home. “We are grateful and excited to be the recipient of the Home Renewal program by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to build a new Faith Manor as a ‘Best in Class’ facility. Our nursing home will be a place where our seniors can live with dignity and respect in a safe Christian environment staffed and supported by caring people.” He also said that the plans for the old Faith Manor are to build 42 apartments where seniors with mild dementia and or Alzheimer can live independently in a controlled environment, thus keeping them out of a long term care facility.
Ken Rawlins thanked the speakers for their input and asked Pastor Heiman Praamsma to close the Ceremony with a prayer of thanks. Coffee and cookies were served afterwards and one could look at a number of displays showing the plans for and location of the new Faith Manor.
HCH President Keith Ambtman provided some further details of the expected funding. “The funding is expected to be a minimum of $ 800,000 per year for 25 years bringing the total value to in excess of $ 20 million.” As a non-profit organization, HCH will also receive a grant of $ 250,000 to offset administrative costs in the preparation of the design of the new Faith Manor.
Theo Luykenaar