Mercy House, a home for the terminally ill, provides new option for Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties

Mercy House, a home for the terminally ill, provides new option for Broome, Tioga and Chenango countiesMercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 North McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y., in the former St. Casimir's church building, will soon be the first home providing 24-hour care for individuals with a terminal illness. Mercy House, a non-profit organization, is seeking funding for continued renovations. For information, find Mercy House of the Southern Tier on Facebook or visit their web site, mercyhousesoutherntier.com. (Provided photo)
Mercy House, a home for the terminally ill, provides new option for Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties

Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 North McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y., in the former St. Casimir’s church building, will soon be the first home providing 24-hour care for individuals with a terminal illness. Mercy House, a non-profit organization, is seeking funding for continued renovations. For information, find Mercy House of the Southern Tier on Facebook or visit their web site, mercyhousesoutherntier.com. (Provided photo)

Mercy House of the Southern Tier, located at 212 North McKinley Ave. in Endicott, N.Y. in the former St. Casimir’s church building, will soon be the first home in our area providing 24-hour care for individuals with a terminal illness.

Established as an alternative to a nursing home, hospital or at-home care, the mission of Mercy House is to provide compassionate end of life care, while offering peace and dignity during an individual’s final days.

“Mercy House is extraordinarily needed,” shared David DeAngelo, operations director, and he added, “There is nothing else like it in our area.”

Open to residents of Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties with a brief life expectancy, Mercy House will be staffed by professionals and trained volunteers. Lourdes Hospice will provide exclusive services including medical care and resident admission. A home-like environment housing ten beds in private rooms with amenities, it will also allow open visiting hours for family and friends.

Sister Joanna Monticello, executive director of Mercy House, has worked with Lourdes Hospice for ten years, and cited research that shows facilities like Mercy House will help meet the needs of our aging community. For individuals who require more care than what can be provided at home, and unlike a nursing home or hospital setting, Sister Joanna said, “Mercy House will be a place that feels more like home.”

Rev. Clarence Rumble, pastor at the Church of the Holy Family in Endwell, N.Y. is credited with the dream and vision for Mercy House of the Southern Tier. Modeled after Francis House in Syracuse which has been open for more than 20 years, parishioners of Holy Family and members of other area churches and community residents have volunteered their time for the planning stages at Mercy House.

Gary Jones, a board member of the Friends of Hospice of Tioga County, shared, “It will be a real asset to our area.”

DeAngelo commented that there would be enough residents utilizing Mercy House to maintain it. Mercy House will be open to all regardless of religion, race or financial resources, and those who can pay will be asked to donate toward the cost of their care.

“No one will be turned away because of the lack of money,” DeAngelo said.

As a non-profit, Mercy House will receive no funding from the county, state or federal levels. Donations from individuals and groups, corporations and foundation grants, special fundraising events, as well as resident contributions, will be needed to cover all costs. Aside from funds needed for renovation, annual costs to sustain Mercy House have been estimated at $650,000 or more.

To date, Mercy House organizers have raised over $600,000 toward the renovations, including  $250,000 from the Lourdes Hospice Foundation arranged by Anthony Paniccia, Mercy House board president, and $25,000 from the Friends of Hospice of Tioga County. A recent golf tournament sponsored by Edward Jones brought in nearly $18,000, a local chicken dinner resulted in $11,000, and young men and women from the Union Endicott High School Italian Club raised $1,800, among other contributions.

To open by the end of 2015 or early 2016, Mercy House is looking for additional support.

Financial donations can be made to “Mercy House of the Southern Tier” and mailed to 3600 Phyllis St., Endicott, N.Y. 13760. Mercy House is also seeking support of food and material donations, as well as volunteer time and talent. A donation / support form can be found on their web site, mercyhousesoutherntier.com.

For more information about Mercy House, including a major fundraiser later this year, a wine and food sampling, visit their website or find them on Facebook.