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Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) began in 1982 and changed the face of inpatient hospice care when it opened the first free standing hospice home inpatient unit in Illinois in 2004. Now fifteen years later, JACH is embarking on a capital campaign to add a twelve-room addition to the Hospice Home and renovate and enhance the existing structure.

The $3.5 million Remembering from the Heart Campaign for the Hospice Home will take advantage of recent state legislation passed in 2018 increasing the maximum hospice inpatient unit size to 20 beds, by adding four patient rooms; adding a multi-family kitchen and dining area; adding a larger commercial kitchen and larger spiritual space; renovating the existing patient rooms to add a refrigerator, sink, all new furniture and fixtures and French doors leading to private outside patios; and relocating nursing staff adjacent to patient rooms.

JACH cared for over 2,000 patients in 2018, with 517 of those patients in the inpatient unit alone. The greater number of rooms will allow for even more patients to receive the specialized, quality care of the inpatient unit.  The capital project will improve and enhance the patient and family experience for many years to come.

JACH and Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce invite you to the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, April 24^th at 4:30 p.m. at Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet. The Remembering from the Heart campaign offers naming opportunities. Gifts at all levels are appreciated. If you are interested in attending the ground breaking or donating to the campaign, please visit joliethospice.org or contact the Development Department at 815.740.4104 ext 335.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Let’s start the conversation! Joliet Area Community Hospice is hosting “Remembering from the Heart” Annual Dinner Fundraiser on Monday, April 22 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook, IL. The public is invited to the dinner, presented by Signature sponsors: Busey Bank, D’Arcy Buick GMC, The Horton Group and Kurtz Ambulance and Emergency Services.*  Tickets are $75 per guest, with tables of 10 available. Dinner, cash bar, raffles, auction and other fun activities will fill the evening. All proceeds benefit Joliet Area Community Hospice adult and pediatric hospice and palliative care programs and community bereavement services.

JACH will honor this year’s Heart of Hospice Award recipients: IL Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) for envisioning a better hospice future and improving access to quality end-of-life care through legislation and Margaret and Bill Benoit for unwavering support, love and advocacy for JACH with gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Joliet Area Community Hospice has served the community for 37 years, now in the counties of Will, Grundy, Kendall, Livingston, LaSalle and parts of DuPage, Kankakee and Southern Cook. Pre-registration is required and can be made at lightways.org under events or call 815-740-4104. Pre-registration required by April 12, 2019.

* To date, other event sponsors include, Medline, Silver Cross Hospital, Elite Therapy, Edward Jones/Ed Dollinger and Mark Karner, Financial Advisors, and AdvaCare. Joliet Area Community Hospice, a not-for-profit United Way Agency and this community’s choice for quality end of life care.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Since Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) opened Illinois’ first freestanding hospice home inpatient unit in 2004, community need for compassionate end-of-life care has surpassed the facility’s capacity. Last year alone, the Hospice Home cared for over 500 patients. Yet, there were far too many days when families were told their loved one would be placed on a waiting list to be admitted into the home.

In 2017, a committee was created to confirm the feasibility of a $3.5 million capital campaign subsequently named “Remembering from the Heart.”  An overwhelmingly positive response was received from the community. The $3.5 million campaign will expand and renovate the Hospice Home inpatient unit adding four additional patient rooms, bringing capacity from 16 to 20, with convertible space for another four rooms in the future. Until August 2018, only 16 beds were allowed at Illinois inpatient hospice units. The bill to increase the bed capacity to 20 was introduced by Illinois State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), and quickly passed through the House. It was then supported by Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) who helped move the bill through the Illinois Senate. In August of 2018, former Governor Bruce Rauner signed the bill into law. This timing was perfect for JACH to add these rooms to its planned renovations.

Every aspect of the expansion plan focuses on maintaining a dignified and comfortable quality of life for patients and families, including additional family gathering, cooking and dining spaces that provide more family privacy. The central nursing station will be replaced by nursing cubbies throughout the facility so nurses will be closer to their patients. The kitchen and spiritual space will be expanded and each patient room will be equipped with a refrigerator, sink and French doors leading to a private patio.

 Since 1982 when JACH started, the public has learned more about hospice and end of life care and the importance of having options in one’s final days. Hospice is a specialized type of care for those facing a terminal illness provided wherever home is: the family home, nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital or an inpatient hospice unit. Pain and symptom management is provided by an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, CNAs, chaplains, social workers and volunteers. Together they provide medical, emotional and spiritual support. Both the patient and the family are provided bereavement services to assist with coping with grief and loss.

The improvements to the JACH inpatient unit will allow more families to receive the care they deserve in a warm, welcoming setting.

If you would like to support Joliet Area Community Hospice’s “Remembering from the Heart” campaign, please contact Jackie Bersano, Sr. Director of Development at 815.740.4104 or visit lightways.org.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Since Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) opened Illinois’ first freestanding hospice home in-patient unit in 2004, community need for compassionate end-of-life care has outgrown the facility’s capacity. Last year alone, the Hospice Home cared for over 500 patients. Yet, there were far too many days when families were told their loved one would be placed on a waitlist to be admitted into the home.

In 2018, a committee was created to confirm the feasibility of a $3.5 million capital campaign called “Remembering from the Heart”, to expand and renovate the Hospice Home including four additional patient rooms, bringing capacity from 16 to 20, with additional space to add another four rooms in the future. Until August 2018, only 16 beds were allowed in in patient hospice units when former Governor Rauner signed a bill to increase the beds to 20. This was perfect timing for JACH to add these rooms during the renovation. The bill was initiated by Illinois State Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet), Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) helped move the bill through the Illinois Senate.

Every aspect of the expansion plan focuses on maintaining a dignified and comfortable quality of life for patients and families, including additional family gathering, cooking and dining spaces that provide more family privacy. The central nursing station will be replaced by nursing cubbies throughout the facility for nurses to be closer to their patients.

 Since 1982 when JACH started, the public has learned more about hospice and end of life care and the importance of having options in your final days. Hospice is a specialized type of care to those facing a terminal illness. A person must meet the qualifications before receiving hospice services. They may receive them anywhere they call home: family home, nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital or an in-patient hospice unit. The patient and their caregivers decide to focus on the quality of life instead of a curative treatment. Pain and symptom management is provided by a team of doctors, nurses, CNAs, chaplains, social workers and volunteers. Together they provide medical, emotional and spiritual support. After the patient dies, the family is provided with bereavement services to learn how to cope with grief.

The improvements to the JACH in-patient unit will allow more families to receive the care they desire. If you would like to support Joliet Area Community Hospice’s Remembering from the Heart campaign, please contact Jackie Bersano, Sr. Director of Development and Communications at 815.740.4104 ext 335 or visit https://lightways.org/donate/campaign-for-the-hospice-home/.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Coordinator
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Let’s start the conversation! Joliet Area Community Hospice is hosting “Remembering from the Heart” Annual Dinner Fundraiser on Monday, April 22 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Dr., Bolingbrook, IL. The public is invited to the dinner, presented by Signature sponsors: Busey Bank, D’Arcy Buick GMC, The Horton Group and Kurtz Ambulance and Emergency Services.*  Tickets are $75 per guest,  with tables of 10 available. Dinner, cash bar, raffles, auction and other fun activities will fill the evening. All proceeds benefit Joliet Area Community Hospice adult and pediatric hospice and palliative care programs and community bereavement services.

JACH will honor this year’s Heart of Hospice Award recipients: IL Representative Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) for envisioning a better hospice future and improving access to quality
end-of-life care through legislation and Margaret and Bill Benoit for unwavering support, love and advocacy for JACH with gifts of time, talent and treasure.

Joliet Area Community Hospice has served the community for 37 years, now in the counties of Will, Grundy, Kendall, Livingston, LaSalle and parts of DuPage, Kankakee and Southern Cook. Pre-registration is required and can be made at lightways.org under events or call 815-740-4104. Pre-registration required by April 12, 2019.

* To date, other event sponsors include, Medline, Silver Cross Hospital, Elite Therapy, Edward Jones/Ed Dollinger and Mark Karner, Financial Advisors, and AdvaCare. Joliet Area Community Hospice, a not-for-profit United Way Agency and this community’s choice for quality end of life care.

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Joliet Area Community Hospice provides compassionate, professional hospice and palliative care to over 32,000 terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. In the past two years alone, Joliet Area Community Hospice provided over $1.55 million in charity care, community bereavement programs, unreimbursed pediatric hospice and palliative care, and community outreach.  We are a not-for-profit corporation, state licensed, Medicare/Medicaid certified and supported by United Way of Will and Grundy Counties. We serve patients in greater Will, Grundy, and Kendall, LaSalle, and Livingston counties along with portions of Cook, DuPage and Kankakee counties.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

The Joliet Area Community Hospice Guild is hosting their 31st  Annual “Puttin’ on the Glitz” Then and Now Couture Show and Luncheon. The event is presented by Busey Bank, D’Arcy Buick GMC, The Horton Group and Kurtz Ambulance. Each year, this fashion show raises about $30,000 to benefit Joliet Area Community Hospice.

Joliet native and actress of theater and TV, Meagen Fay, will commentate this year’s fundraiser, which has a vintage twist. She has appeared in episodes of Bones, Criminal Minds, Madmen and the hit show, The Big Bang Theory. Fay also was in a number of films including La La Land as Mia’s mom.“Meagen’ s late mother and my dear good friend, Peggy Fay, was our commentator for 30 years.   Having her daughter Meagen join us as well as three of her grandchildren model Peggy’s own clothing at our event will be a tribute to her.” said Jeanette D’Arcy. “Some of the vintage fashions are ageless and still in style today.” D’Arcy and Julia Malloy are
co-chairs of the fundraiser. The models will be wearing modern fashions from Dean’s of Naperville and Chico’s of Orland Park along with vintage styles that members of the guild have provided dating from the early 1900’s to the 1980’s.

“The ladies of the Guild have hosted the fashion show and luncheon for 31 years. Every year they do something just a little different. It will be fun to see the vintage clothing and we are excited to have Meagen Fay commentate. We are so appreciative of the tremendous support the Guild provides to JACH, our patients and families,” said Mary Sheehan, JACH CEO.

Puttin’ on the Glitz will be held at Bolingbrook Golf Club, 2001 Rodeo Drive, Bolingbrook on Sunday November 4th.  Doors open at 11:00 am, tickets are $55 per person and tables of 8 or 10 are available.  Tickets may be purchased at joliethospice.org under the events tab or call 815.740.4014 on or before October 23, 2018. Valet parking will be available.

To learn more about hospice and palliative care, contact Joliet Area Community Hospice at 815-740-4104. Joliet Area Community Hospice is this community’s choice for hospice care and a United Way Agency.

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Joliet Area Community Hospice provides compassionate, professional hospice and palliative care to over 30,000 terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. In the past two years alone, Joliet Area Community Hospice provided over $1.3 million in charity care, community bereavement programs, unreimbursed pediatric hospice and palliative care, and community outreach.  We are a not-for-profit corporation, state licensed, Medicare/Medicaid certified and supported by United Way of Will and Grundy Counties. We serve patients in greater Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, and Kendall counties along with portions of Cook, DuPage and Kankakee counties.

The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is Real People, Real Care, Your Family.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

May the course be with you. Joliet Area Community Hospice’s 16th Annual Golf Classic is just around the corner. This event is hosted by Hometown National Bank and presented by The Horton Group and Kurtz Ambulance. This annual fundraiser will take place Tuesday, August 14th at Inwood Golf Course, Joliet, IL. The event promises 18 holes of golf at the pristine course along with beverages, hole contests, great raffle and auction items, a delicious dinner and a full day of fun. Golf with a Star Wars theme. The proceeds from this event benefit the patients and families of Joliet Area Community Hospice to provide hospice and palliative care, pediatric services, Veterans programs, bereavement support, community outreach and the upkeep of the first free standing Hospice Home in Illinois. Master Sponsors of the Golf Classic include Silver Cross Hospital, Lindsey and Don Peterik, Mary and John Sheehan, and Lindblad Construction.  If you are interested in registering for the event or being a sponsor, please visit www.jolithospice.com/events
or call 815-740-4104 by August 7th. Joliet Area Community Hospice is a United Way Agency.

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Joliet Area Community Hospice provides compassionate, professional hospice and palliative care to over 30,000 terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. In the past two years alone, Joliet Area Community Hospice provided over $1.3 million in charity care, community bereavement programs, unreimbursed pediatric hospice and palliative care, and community outreach.  We are a not-for-profit corporation, state licensed, Medicare/Medicaid certified and supported by United Way of Will and Grundy Counties. We serve patients in greater Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, and Kendall counties along with portions of Cook, DuPage and Kankakee counties.

The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is to provide comprehensive, holistic, community based support service and care for terminally ill persons, their caregivers and loved ones without regard to economic status; to enable the dying person to live peacefully, in comfort, and with dignity to the last moment of life.

Contact:  Laureen Crotteau, Event and Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 815-460-3257
E-Mail: [email protected]

Joliet Area Community Hospice (JACH) is proud to announce that one of their volunteers, Jim (J.P) Morgan, was the chosen as one of four recipients nationwide to receive the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) 2018 Volunteers Are the Foundation of Hospice Award in the category of Organizational Support.  Morgan was presented with the award at the NHPCO conference in New Orleans on November 6, 2018.

Morgan began his volunteering with Joliet Area Community Hospice ten years ago, shortly after retiring from ExxonMobil.  His volunteering began with weekly four-hour shifts in JACH’s 16-bed hospice home inpatient unit, where he would visit patients and respond to their needs and those of family members and staff. After talking about his photography skills, JACH asked Morgan to take photos of the grounds and at events. He soon took on the role of “official” agency photographer at the 13+ events held each year, taking over 7400 photos annually in the process. Ready to help where needed, Morgan became aware of a need in the maintenance department, and now gives at least five hours each week helping maintain JACH’s 39,000 square foot building and 15-acre property.

Morgan has volunteered at least 200 hours every year since he began with JACH, totaling an awe-inspiring 2,433 hours. His volunteering has also impacted JACH financially, as the agency has received $2,000 from ExxonMobil for each year Morgan has volunteered, totaling $20,000 donated to date in his name. Joliet Area Community Hospice is a richer agency in so many ways thanks to Morgan’s considerable contributions! Besides being a cherished volunteer and friend to JACH staff who know him, Morgan. is a devoted son to his 96-year-old father, brother, husband to Maggie, father to three daughters, and proud grandfather to one granddaughter and one grandson. Morgan resides in Joliet, Illinois.

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Joliet Area Community Hospice provides compassionate, professional hospice and palliative care to over 30,000 terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. In the past two years alone, Joliet Area Community Hospice provided over $1.3 million in charity care, community bereavement programs, unreimbursed pediatric hospice and palliative care, and community outreach.  We are a not-for-profit corporation, state licensed, Medicare/Medicaid certified and supported by United Way of Will and Grundy Counties. We serve patients in greater Will, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, and Kendall counties along with portions of Cook, DuPage and Kankakee counties.

The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is Real People, Real Care, Your Family.