Our guest speaker this morning was Kim Fitzgerald, the CEO of Cathedral Square. Kim shared a little history of the organization and the evolution of its facilities and services. Cathedral Square offers a range of housing and support for older adults living independently, for people with disabilities, and for those needing extra help to remain living at home.
Kim Fitzgerald from Cathedral Square is our guest today.
Denis Barton opened the meeting at 7:30.
Rotary shirts are here available for sale, $25 each.
Denis welcomed Josie Fox and Kim Fitzgerald.
Linda Barker met a woman from Habitat For Humanity on Saturday, Sally Wadhams, who let her know there will be build opportunities in the area. More information will be forthcoming.
Richard reminded us of the Halloween Parade and spread the word, encourage floats!
September 16 is the Golf Ball Drop! There is an action plan for the event, please let Bob or Denis know if you are interested in volunteering. Susan has the Beta helicopter arranged. A live stream video will be done by Dan. Bill shared that the sales do not need to cease the day before, they will be available to sell right up to the drop. $2500 has been collected so far.
Denis collected the happy fines.
Diana introduced Kim as the current CEO of Cathedral Square. She has worked in affordable housing her entire career with organizations such as C.O.V.E., Anew Place and Age Well. She graduated from The University of Vermont and lives in Colchester.
Kim shared a little history of the organization which began in 1977. They became connected to St. Paul’s Cathedral after the fire, who had some available land downtown which became the flagship building for Cathedral Square.
Forty five years later they have twenty six facilities. They serve all peoples, multi generational, include children, students, Howard Center clients, and disabled.
As we all know, there is an affordable housing crisis in this area. They have 1,000 people on their waiting list with 1,000 residents already housed. Three to five years is the current wait list time.
There are three types of housing they utilize, market rate, tax credit and subsidized. Residential Care, Assisted Living and Nursing Home are the long term care options in our society, Cathedral Square has two assisted type living facilities.
They use the “Best Friends” approach at the Memory Care at Allen Brook. This is a family oriented approach to compassionate care. Presently, they are in a capital campaign for this property.
Kim explained “SASH”, created in 2009. “Support and Services At Home.” Each facility has a care coordinator and nurse at each facility and now throughout Vermont. They work in one hundred person panels. SASH is completely funded by Medicaid and the State of Vermont. The goal is to have people stay in their homes. SASH has 5,000 participants in Vermont. This program is recognized nationally and other states are implementing the program.
They did request our help for fundraising, spreading the word and volunteer!
Denis Barton presented Kim with the book “Right Place Right Time” by Ryan Frederick, which will be donated to the Charlotte Library.
Denis adjourned the meeting at 8:30.