Hospital hospitality house marks milestone
(pictured above: Jay and Nellie Springs at the SECU Family House.)
Almost three years after opening, the SECU Family House has served its 10,000th guest.
The SECU Family House is a 45 bedroom facility that provides affordable lodging in a caring environment for patients and/or caregivers traveling to Winston-Salem for medical care at Wake Forest Baptist Health or Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center. The facility is also used by loved ones of those at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter.
“We give caregivers and patients a chance to take time to care for themselves for a moment,” says Kathy Carr, SECU Family House executive director.
Since opening in September 2011, the Family House has cared for patients and their caregivers from 84 North Carolina counties and 31 states. Most have been residents of Catawba, Caldwell, Wilkes, Watauga and Ashe counties.
Guests Jay and Nellie Springs were “surprised and relieved” to hear about the Family House when they traveled from Atlanta to Winston-Salem.
“It is just too expensive to stay at a hotel every evening,” they agreed.
They have stayed at the Family House on two occasions – once to be with Nellie’s sister while she was at Hospice, and then to be with Jay’s sister, who was also at Hospice.
Carr says the House has received an overwhelming amount of support from local groups and individuals. Some bring in food for residents and/or cleaning and other supplies.
Learn more by calling 336-793-2822 or going to www.familyhousews.org.
