Expansion & Relocation St. Michael's Home
VISION: To meet the ever-increasing needs & numbers of elderly, St. Michael’s embarked upon an exciting and ambitious relocation and expansion project in 2014 with the purchase of an 11-acre site which houses a 100,000 sq. ft structure. In November 2020, the NYS Dept. of Health finally issued the “green light” for the project to proceed, and construction began in January 2021. While fund-raising was impeded by the pandemic and historic inflation added $7,000,000 to the cost of the project, construction is about 70-72% complete. All exterior work (brickwork, roofing, windows, doors, stuccoing, etc.) is complete and the focus is now on finishing the interior. Spaces have been partitioned, and the installation of HVAC, plumbing and electrical work is nearing completion.
This magnificent state-of-the-art continuum care facility will be able to accommodate over 150 residents. Various DOH licenses (some of which have already been secured) will permit the facility to offer progressively higher levels of assisted care which will eliminate the need for any resident to leave for another institution. Moreover, the Home will be able to accept applicants not eligible for admission at the Yonkers facility as their care-needs exceed those permitted by DOH. Included in the renovated structure will be: independent living one-bedroom & studio apartments; studio bedrooms for independent and various levels of assisted living; a secure Memory Care Wing for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as a Greek Orthodox Chapel, Physical Therapy Room, Gym. Beauty Salon, Taverna, Kafeneio/Coffee Lounge & a myriad of other beautiful ancillary spaces, amenities and services expected in this day and age to provide an attractive & nurturing environment for all residents.
COST: The cost of this monumental project is approximately $55,000,000 with over $42,850,000 in pledges, most of which have been fulfilled thus enabling construction to continue. A $10,000,000 construction loan is in place to complete the last stage of construction but before accessing the loan, the Home needs to bridge a funding gap of around $5,700,000. Once the loan is accessed, the project can be completed in 7-8 months.
The hope is that those who have not yet participated in the Capital Campaign will do so as soon as possible, especially as there is a Matching Gift Grant of $1,000,000 for all new donations in 2025.
NEED: The elderly, 80 years and older, represent the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, growing 4 times faster than other age groups. As more and more people live longer, their needs due to diminished health and mobility and/or cognitive acuity coupled with changing family dynamics will exponentially increase the demand for facilities such as the new St. Michael’s. Certainly, the Church and community have a sacred obligation to provide our seniors who represent this fastest growing segment of our population with an “elder care facility” offering a loving Greek Orthodox environment in which they can receive ALL the assistance and levels of care they may need at this point in their life, especially religious, cultural and emotion support.