HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2006-036 Supporting Family House at UNC Hospitals~~5 -~uvG- 0310
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ~"/~-~~
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Resolution Supporting
Family House at UNC Hospitals
WHEREAS, Family House at UNC Hospitals, an independent 501(c)(3) non profit
organization, is in the midst of a $6.3 million capital campaign for construction
and initial operation of a 40-bedroom hospitality house in Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the vision for Family House was kindled in 2001 by a small group of
volunteers, spearheaded by Dr. Mark Johnson, Director of UNC Hospital's Liver
Transplant Program, who recognized the need for extending hospitality, hope,
and support to families of critical care patients; and
WHEREAS, the families of the critically ill face serious financial constraints -
many patients relying on Medicare/Medicaid or having no health insurance at all
-with long absences from work translating into reduced paychecks or
unemployment for both patients and caregivers; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina, through UNC-Chapel Hill, joined the
effort to establish Family House at UNC Hospitals with a lease of $1 a year on
5.85 acres immediately adjoining the Chapel Hill Ronald McDonald House; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Family House at UNC Hospitals will be a two-story,
40-bedroom facility featuring a kitchen and large dining area, gathering rooms, a
hearth room. and parlor, comfortable furnishings,- and alight-filled, inviting
solarium, as a special home away from home for patients' families; and
WHEREAS, the Capital Campaign Steering Committee to date has raised $4.2
million of its $6.3 million goal for construction and initial years' operating
expenses and, barring unforeseen circumstances and with construction
beginning in early 2006, Family House opening to guests in early 2007;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of
Commissioners encourages and endorses the mission of Family House at UNC
Hospitals, and calls upon its legislative delegation to advocate aggressively for
State grant funding in the amount of $50,000 to help secure the construction and
early operations of an affordable and sheltering place for families to stay and
heal together.
This the 18th day of April 2006.
Bar gJaco , y hai
Oran a ount of ommissioners