Mission/Overview

The SECU Family House will provide affordable lodging in a caring environment for referred adult patients and/or their caregivers who travel to Winston-Salem for medical treatment.

Winston-Salem is a medical community with two nationally ranked medical centers and limited affordable lodging for adult patients and their families.

Caregivers often must camp out in hospital waiting rooms, hallways, and in their cars. Hospital personnel observe that many very sick patients are more concerned about their family’s living situation than about their own recovery.

Approximately 400 families of inpatients from both hospitals require lodging each night.  In addition, dozens of outpatients with serious conditions and their caregivers need accommodations.

SECU Family House will help alleviate this huge need for affordable, comfortable lodging.

Staff and volunteers will be on site at all times to assist the more than 1,000 patients/families a year who will stay at the House, as well as the outpatients who will come for day respite in between treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy.

Referrals to SECU Family House will be made by Forsyth Medical Center, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and by Hospice & Palliative Care Center.

Capital Campaign

Our capital campaign will provide funding to build at least 40 rooms and numerous common areas to bring guests together for mutual support.

  • Total cost for the land, building, and furnishings is estimated at $6 million.
  • More than $4.2 million in pledges and gifts has been received from our two medical centers, foundations, businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals.
  • This total includes a $1 million lead gift from The Richard J. Reynolds, III and Marie M. Reynolds Foundation and a $2 million challenge grant from the SECU (State Employees’ Credit Union) Foundation.
  • The property has been purchased.

A successful capital campaign will allow construction on the House to begin in 2010, with completion in 2011.

Ongoing Operation

Planning is in place to support the estimated $400,000 annual operating budget.

The Board of Directors is committed to sustaining SECU Family House in a financially sound and prudent manner.

  • Forsyth Medical Center and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center/North Carolina Baptist Hospital have each donated $250,000 to establish a $500,000 endowment for operating expenses.
  • Ongoing fundraising will occur and will be driven by a strategic development plan created on completion of the capital campaign.