A facility created to allow out-of-town families to stay nearby while their children receive medical treatment at Victoria General Hospital celebrated its third birthday Tuesday in View Royal.
Jeneece Place B次元官网网址� named for energetic young fundraiser Jeneece Edroff, who turned 21 the same day B次元官网网址� has been a home away from home for more than 730 families since it opened in 2012.
Most come from Vancouver Island, but some have come from further reaches to have a place of respite while their children undergo operations, rehabilitation services or recover from accidents.
Linda Hughes, president and CEO of the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, which built and operates the 10-bedroom, fully outfitted house, said she has been surprised at the breadth of circumstances in which families that stay at the home find themselves in.
B次元官网网址淭he families are amazing, theyB次元官网网址檙e people who maybe have a big family, maybe itB次元官网网址檚 a first child or a fifth, and they come from as far north as you can go,B次元官网网址� she said.
Over the three years Jeneece Place has been welcoming families, one of the more common scenarios for guests has been the birth of a premature baby and/or the need for their infant to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit, Hughes said. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think anyone understood that big trend.B次元官网网址�
Another trend that has emerged, she said, is the use of the facility by parents who live in town, as a place to perhaps freshen up or rest when their child is in hospital for tests or their baby has to stay overnight. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a refuge for them.B次元官网网址�
Hughes, who has been with the foundation for about a year and a half, said any conversation about the value of Jeneece Place comes around to the amazing young woman who started it all.
B次元官网网址淭hank God that
Jeneece trusted her instincts, that because of her own personal experience that this was a much needed (project) and would be a very successful endeavour,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淪he trusted what she knew as a childhood (patient) and the community trusted her.B次元官网网址�
Edroff, who still comes to the house regularly to help out, on top of her fundraising activities, was taken out for a special birthday meal with her parents as part of the anniversary celebration.
Speaking of fundraising, efforts are ongoing to keep the house running. It costs $350,000 per year to operate and is funded by donations from the community. The ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Health Foundation of Vancouver Island accepts donations and issues tax receipts where applicable. To donate or find more information on Jeneece Place, visit or call 250-519-6977.
