The first Fisher House in Connecticut was dedicated by U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Fisher House Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher, VA Connecticut Healthcare System Director Gerald Culliton and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi during a ceremony Friday at the West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital.
The Fisher House will provide temporary accommodations at no cost for the eligible family members of veterans receiving inpatient treatment.
The dedication was held next to the new house, near VA’s Campbell Avenue entrance, and was followed by a ribbon-cutting.
The Fisher House will not only create an instant community for its residents, united by their common mission of supporting a sick or injured loved one, but will also provide each individual with a secure and private refuge after a long day at the hospital to rest and recharge, the Fisher House Foundation said in a news release.
The 16-suite, 13,500-square-foot “comfort home” joins the other 75 Fisher Houses operating in the United States and Europe.
As part of the morning ceremony, the completed house was gifted to the VA to operate and maintain in perpetuity.
In addition to the suites, there is a common kitchen, laundry room, dining area, living room and space for children to play.
Millions in funding for the house was made possible through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of Fisher House CT, the Fisher House Foundation and the local community before the ground was broken on April 11, 2017.
The Friends of Fisher House has been supported by such events as marathons, ballroom dancing, golf tournaments and baseball games, as well as donations from customers at ShopRite grocery stores across the state.
“The Connecticut community really stepped up to make this Fisher House a reality,” Fisher said. “”Supporting our military, veterans and their families is a privilege, but we can’t do it alone. Their excitement and tireless efforts will continue to go a long way for those who call Fisher House their home.”
Culliton said: “We are honored to have the first Fisher House in the state of Connecticut. Our West Haven campus is the only full-service inpatient VA facility in the state. The Fisher House will provide the families and caregivers of our veterans with a safe, comfortable, supportive environment while their veteran receives care.”