We’re expanding!
The need for JoeAnna’s House has never been greater.
Five years ago, JoeAnna’s House opened its doors to out-of-town families while their loved ones receive care at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH). Since then, the home has provided a supportive sanctuary to thousands of families facing some of the most difficult times of their lives. The house was fully built, and fully operates, by the hearts and hands of this generous community.
Originally built with 20 family rooms, the need has arisen to expand JoeAnna’s House. We are now ready to expand the house to accommodate more guests, alleviate the constant waitlist (more than 950 families have been turned away due to capacity), and keep more families together at JoeAnna’s House when they need it most. Because we are always better together.
In order to fulfill the demand, we are going to expand capacity at JoeAnna’s House by 50%, adding an additional 10 family rooms! Bringing the total number of rooms up to 30 will significantly impact families across our region.
JoeAnna’s House Quick Facts
- 2,539 familes have been welcomed for 24,317 overnight stays
- The daily cost to operate JoeAnna’s House is $89 a room
- The house opened it doors November 15, 2019 to the first three families
- 291 babies have been born to guests during their stay
- 956 meals have been served to guests through the Share a Meal program
- Residents from 308 BC Interior cities and towns have stayed at the home
- 44 volunteers contributed 2,272 hours in the house and the garden last year
- Guests stay an average of 10.44 nights
- Reasons loved ones needed to stay at KGH:
- 31% Cardiac
- 20% Stroke
- 16% Pediatrics/ NICU
- 14% Oncology
- 6% Emergency/ Trauma
“I don’t know what we would have done if JoeAnna’s House wasn’t a possibility. They gave us a place of calm to call home in a time where inside we felt like a storm was happening. Because of your donations our family was able to stay together in a really tough time and I will forever be grateful for that. Your making a difference in many people lives and I know our family is not the only one with a story like this whose life you are changing.” – Kayla Vanniewenhuizen, JoeAnna’s House Guest
See the impact of donating to JoeAnna’s House
Over the last five years, JoeAnna’s house has been a ‘home away from home’ for thousands of families, all thanks to your generosity. Time and time again, our guests express their profound gratitude and amazement that our community has made this resource possible and ready to help during their most challenging moments. The impact of your compassion extends far beyond our walls, touching nearby communities and reinforcing the message of how deeply you care for your out-of-town neighbours.
As Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) and the population of BC’s Interior continue to grow, so does the demand for JoeAnna’s House. As we look to fund our expansion, your gifts continue to make a remarkable impact for countless families across the Southern Interior. See the difference your donation can make in the Impact Report.
