Matthew's House is an organization that will provide respite for children with life-limiting disabilities. It is the first of its kind in Abbotsford as, within a campus of care, it offers children a safe, welcoming place where they can stay, while allowing their parents time to rest. It will offer long and short term respite based on the needs of individuals and their families.
Matthew's House is Inspired by a boy whose family wish to stay very involved in his life but also understand that to give him the quality care he needs, they must occasionally step back and let others help.
Matthew's House is not an institution. Its intention is to create a place for children who receive support there that reminds them of home, and honours each family's beliefs and desires for their child's care.
Matthew's House will be run by experienced nurses and staff through Communitas Supportive Care, an organization that for over 35 years has provided various resources to persons living and dealing with mental, physical and/or emotional disabilities.
"Drive One 4 UR Community"
supports Communitas and Matthew's House
Thanks to Magnuson Ford and Ford Canada, friends of Communitas and Matthew's House will be able to
test drive a brand new Ford and generate a donation for Communitas.
When: May 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: PriceSmart© parking lot, 32700 South Fraser Way next to the West Oaks Shopping Centre
Why: Every valid test-drive will generate a donation of $20.00 from Ford Canada - up to a maximum
of $6000.
Come early and be sure to invite all of your friends to come out and support Communitas and
Matthew's House.
A valid driver's license is required. After the test drive, you will fill out a short marketing survey to rate
your experience. If time allows, you are permitted to drive as many of the models as you like, but only
your initial test drive will be credited with a donation from Ford Canada.
Minister of Health Makes $1,025,000 Gift to Matthew's House
(L to R) Gene Klassen (CFO Communitas, and Chair of the Matthew's House Community Council), Dr.
Marlyce Friesen (Communitas Board Chair), Steve Thiessen (CEO Communitas), the Hon. Michael de Jong
(Minister of Health), Andrea and Doug Froese, and Derek Janzen (Chair of the Matthew's House Capital
Campaign).
On behalf of the Province of British Columbia, Minister of Health, the Hon. Michael de Jong has made a
gift of $1,025,000 to support the construction and operation of Matthew's House. At a reception held
at the Phoenix Lounge, Minister de Jong commented: "Matthew's House will help create a home-away-
from-home feeling for children and their families, providing them with the services they require to enjoy
time together in a healthy and balanced environment."
In thanking Minister de Jong, Steve Thiessen, CEO Communitas Supportive Care Society commented:
"The measure of a society is the value given to its citizens who are most vulnerable. This gift from the
Ministry of Health is a wonderful affirmation of the vision of Matthew's House and the children and
families throughout British Columbia whom it will serve."
To read the text of Steve Thiessen's speech, please click here.
In her remarks, Andrea Froese stated "I want Matthew's House to be a place where we can come
alongside families with similar challenges and let them know that they are doing a good job and it's okay
that they are tired. Matthew's House is here to relieve that a little, to offer some rest."
"Thanks to the Province's support of this important project for not only helping to carry on Matthew's
legacy, but for standing alongside the families who also have brave little souls who will benefit from
Matthew's House."
To read the text of Andrea's entire speech please click here.
To see additional photos of this event please click here.
Matthew's House Survey
Parents and caregivers of children with disabilities, please take a few moments to complete a survey on respite care and be entered to win a $400 grocery voucher.
This confidential survey will help Matthew's House provide the best care possible. LEARN MORE.
You can view it at: http://www.communitascare.com/
Matthew's House Launches Phase Two of Capital Campaign
Derek Janzen, Chair of the Matthew's House Capital Campaign, announced that the theme for phase two of the campaign to build and equip Matthew's House will be: A Home Away from Home: Special Care for Children and Families in British Columbia.
Derek commented: "The total for phases one and two of the Matthew's House campaign will be 4.125 million dollars. To date we have raised just over 2.1 million dollars. We have formed a Campaign Committee and will be encouraging people to make pledges over a three year period."
"Beyond having a building in place, we need to make sure that Matthew's House has the kind of quality nursing and support staff to provide first rate care to children and their families. In order to make this possible, we will be starting the second phase of the Campaign to build and support Matthew's House."
Steve Thiessen, CEO of Communitas stated: "A number of people have been asking about where we are at in terms of the construction of Matthew's House. I am delighted to report that we expect the parkade to be completed by mid-summer 2012 and anticipate the completion of the house by around this time next year."
In honour of, and inspired by, Matthew Froese and his family, Matthew's House will offer children a safe, welcoming place to stay, while allowing their parents time to rest. It will offer long and short-term respite, based on the needs of the families.
The Dave Lede Campus of Care will bring Matthew's House together with the Abbotsford Hospice Society's Holmberg House, which will provide hospice services to adults, and a second Canuck Place Children's Hospice, which will provide specialized pediatric palliative care services for children and support for their families. The City of Abbotsford has contributed land adjacent to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre for the Dave Lede Campus of Care. The city has signed a 99-year lease with the group for $10.
Matthew's House will serve children and families from throughout British Columbia. Designed to support up to five children at a time, Matthew's House will help to create a support network for the children and their families. Matthew's House will be run by experienced nurses and staffed through Communitas Supportive Care Society.
UPDATE :
Click to View Full Image:Support Matthew's House and Win a 1965 Mustang Convertible
The Abbotsford Lions Club, in conjunction with the Historic Downtown Abbotsford Car Show, is raffling off a fully restored 1965 Mustang Convertible (Valued at $32,500.) 100% of all ticket proceeds will go to support Matthew's House. Tickets are only $10.00 a piece and can be purchased at one of the following locations:
- Magnuson Ford Sales Ltd., 23562 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford Historic DowntownTo order tickets by phone, please call 1-877-309-0298
- Abbotsford Car Show, 33737 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford
- The Abbotsford News, 34375 Gladys Ave, Abbotsford
- Communitas Supportive Care Society, 103 - 2776 Bourquin Cres., Abbotsford
Information and pictures of the vehicle can be found at http://lionscarraffle.shawwebspace.ca/
Raffle draw: September 15, 2012 @ 3:00 PM
Inspired by Jesus Christ, Communitas will be a place of belonging, growth and contribution.
Email: info@mattshouse.ca
©2010 Matthew's House. All rights reserved.