 |
|
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison held a groundbreaking ceremony May 20 on the site of Phase III of the All Saints Neighborhood for seniors on the west side of Madison. The project will expand living options for seniors and develop a Main Street, providing a vibrant place to worship, socialize, exercise, and engage in lifelong learning. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MADISON — Catholic Charities (CC) of the Diocese of Madison held a groundbreaking ceremony May 20 for an expansion of the All Saints Neighborhood, its community for seniors located on the west side of Madison.
“The All Saints journey started about 20 years ago with an idea of providing independent living options for seniors,” said Jackson Fonder, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, in his opening remarks.
He welcomed Bishop Robert C. Morlino, members of the CC Board and staff, members of the All Saints Board, and residents and staff of the All Saints Neighborhood. Also present were many of the business people who have partnered with Catholic Charities in the All Saints project.
Fonder noted that the All Saints Neighborhood began with the developments of cottages, condominiums, and apartments for seniors.
Catholic Charities, the All Saints Board, and Horizon Development worked on Phase I of the All Saints Neighborhood, with the senior apartments managed by Meridian.
Phase II
The next phase of the All Saints Neighborhood included a living option for seniors requiring assistance with daily living needs.
For this goal, Fonder noted that Catholic Charities connected with ElderSpan Management, experts in the assisted living sector. All Saints Assisted Living and Memory Care were born.
“The exceptional living options and care available led our leadership to think big,” said Fonder.
“All Saints has become one of the finest senior living communities in Madison, created for people of all faiths, but reflecting the Catholic Charities’ values of respect, dignity, caring, and compassion.”
Phase III
Fonder said Phase III is a 200,000 square-foot project which will expand the All Saints Neighborhood’s array of living options and develop a destination “Main Street” space, “which will be a vibrant place to worship, dine, socialize, exercise, and engage in lifelong learning.”
Some highlights of Phase III include:
• A beautiful chapel available for worship services, concerts, and presentations.
• A wellness center with healthy living programs.
• A variety of dining areas.
• A greenhouse to bring the beauty and joy of gardening indoors.
• Forty-eight new service-enhanced independent apartments.
• Sixty-three new assisted living apartments, include one- and two-bedroom options.
• Forty remodeled memory care suites.
• Expanded social, education, and volunteer opportunities.
Thanks for help
Fonder said that a project of this magnitude could not have been accomplished “without a lot of help from a lot of people.”
He thanked Bishop Morlino and the Diocese of Madison; the Catholic Charities Board, including Chair Tom Merfeld and Vice Chair Toni Prestigiacomo; the All Saints Board, including Chair Gerry Ring; John Faust and the team at Horizon, the project developer and builder; David Esser and Architecture 2000, project architects; Dubuque Band & Trust and Wisconsin Bank & Trust; ElderSpan Management, project programmer and Neighborhood management company; Madison Alderperson Paul Skidmore; Doug Strub and the staff at Meridian “for providing superb service to our residents for 11 years.
“Finally, I especially would like to thank the current and past residents of All Saints who have helped create this special place that you call home,” said Fonder.
Gerry Ring
Gerry Ring, chair of the All Saints Board of Directors, spoke at the groundbreaking. He noted that former Catholic Charities President Brian Cain talked with him about 20 years ago, noting that there wasn’t a Catholic-sponsored senior retirement center in the Madison area.
Ring said he wasn’t sure at that time that it could be done. However, with advice from Horizon, a plan was presented to Bishop William H. Bullock, who gave his approval.
In 2004, Phase I was completed, Ring noted. In 2008, the Assisted Living and Memory Care was built.
“Now we’re proceeding with Phase III. We came up with a new plan. The chapel will be a beautiful part of the project,” said Ring.
“We are very proud of what goes on inside our buildings. All Saints has become a community of seniors who have a comfortable and safe place to live, the opportunity to meet new friends, participate in all sorts of activities, and now with Phase III, we are able to offer even more services and activities.
“Wait until you see the new chapel. I am sure you will be impressed,” said Ring.
Madison alderperson
Madison Alderperson Paul Skidmore said, “It’s an honor and a privilege to welcome you on behalf of the City of Madison.
“This is an easy project to champion. I think it’s great for the community. I’m grateful to be a part of it. It’s a great addition to the city.”
Bishop Morlino
Bishop Robert C. Morlino spoke about the All Saints Neighborhood before blessing the ground on which the expansion will be built.
The bishop said that All Saints is a “wonderful sign” of how the Church is alive in the Diocese of Madison.
He thanked Catholic Charities and Jackson Fonder, as well as his predecessor, Brian Cain, for giving “witness to charity” in the diocese.
The bishop prayed that God would bless the land and the construction workers, as well as the residents who will live there, where they will receive “quality health care” and especially “where they can grow in their faith.”
More information
For more information about the All Saints Neighborhood expansion, call ElderSpan Management at 608-243-8800.