The SECU Family House hit a milestone when it served its 20,000th guest last Friday. The SECU Family House, a hospital hospitality house located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is a 45 bedroom facility that provides affordable lodging in a caring environment for patients and/or caregivers traveling to Winston-Salem for medical care.
“After two months in the hospital with a love one, it was nice to be able to relax walk outside, wash clothes, and meet other people. Plus having a home cooked meal is priceless,” said Karen Clark, a regular guest from Johnson City, TN. Clark stayed at the Family House in 2015 caring for her boyfriend, John Middleton, after a house fire burned him on over 50% of his body. Since December, they regularly return to the Family House for follow up appointments and surgeries.
Karen Clark and John Middleton of Johnson City, TN have stayed at the Family House several times since 2015.
Since opening in September 2011, the Family House has cared for patients and their caregivers from 89 North Carolina counties and 37 states. The top five counties the SECU Family House serves are Catawba, Caldwell, Wilkes, Watauga, and Ashe.
“We give caregivers and patients an opportunity to care for themselves outside the walls of the hospitals,” says Kathy Carr, executive director.
Clark spent two months at the hospital before leaving her loved one’s side. Once she checked-in to the Family House, she had her first good night’s sleep in months. Clark also formed lasting friendships with other guests facing health scares. “If anyone needs a place to stay that’s calm and relaxing, come to the Family House. It feels like home.”