Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island launches $10 million campaign to build new home away from home in Nanaimo
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island today announced a $10 million fundraising campaign to build a home away from home for Island families travelling to Nanaimo for their child’s health care. The announcement was made at a special groundbreaking ceremony held at the future site of the home on the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital campus.
The 16-bedroom facility, named Jesse’s House, will welcome families from across Vancouver Island and the surrounding islands who need a place to stay while accessing Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and nearby health care services. Construction is estimated to be complete by spring 2027.
“It’s wonderful to see the Foundation expand into Nanaimo to support families north of the Malahat who need to travel to access care for their kids,” said Paul Murray, Board Chair, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. “Jesse’s House will have such a large impact for generations to come, and we are excited to work alongside the community to bring it to life.”
Jesse’s House will be the third home in the Foundation’s Homes Away From Home program, with others in Victoria and Campbell River. Jeneece Place was established in 2012, after Jeneece Edroff (now known as Frankie) asked the community to rally behind the development of a home for families to stay while their children received health care in Victoria. In 2021, together with families, health care providers, and community groups from northern Vancouver Island, the Foundation expanded the model to open a second home in Campbell River called Q̓ʷalayu House.
Jesse’s House is named after Nanaimo resident Sheri Shanahan’s daughter, the late Jesse Shanahan. Sheri has been an important partner and champion for a home away from home in Nanaimo ever since she stayed at Jeneece Place while Jesse was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Victoria General Hospital.
“When my family stayed at Jeneece Place, it gave us comfort during one of the hardest times of our lives,” said Shanahan. “I am so excited to have worked alongside Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island to bring the vision of Jesse’s House to life. This home away from home will have a huge impact on the lives of Island families, providing a safe, warm place where they can receive the same support that meant so much to us, and be just steps away from their child.”
To date, the Foundation has generated $7 million for the project through assurances from the community, including Coastal Community Credit Union, Budget, the Rogers Foundation, and an anonymous donor who stepped forward with an astounding $2 million core funding gift.
“The Nanaimo community has stepped up in such a big way to meet the growing demand for a mid-Island home away from home,” said Veronica Carroll, CEO, Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. “With no government funding for this project, every bedroom, shared space, and moment of support this home provides to families will be thanks to the generosity and foresight of people in this community. It is truly inspiring.”
Through a collaborative agreement with Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), the Foundation has been granted a 40-year lease for a parcel of land on the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital campus.
“Jesse’s House will provide much needed comforts of home and familiarity during very difficult times for families,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “We are so thankful to Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island for their support of families, and to Jesse’s mom, Sheri, for creating such a powerful legacy from her own personal hardship. Jesse’s House will take the worry of accommodations away so families can focus their energy on their loved ones receiving care.”
The project’s lead architect is Alan Lowe, who also designed the Foundation’s two other homes, Jeneece Place and Q̓ʷalayu House. Tectonica Management Inc. of Nanaimo is the project’s construction manager.
Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island is working with a dedicated committee and dozens of community partners to help make this dream a reality. $10 million enables the Foundation to build the home and fully equip the 16-bedroom facility.
For more information about the Jesse’s House project and campaign, visit islandkidsfirst.com/jesseshouse
