On Monday, October 15th, the K21 Foundation announced it is committing to build a multi-tenant health services building to provide a home for several organizations in Kosciusko County. The building will be called the K21 Health Services Pavilion and will be located on the north end of the Kosciusko Community Hospital campus. K21 Foundation owns an undeveloped parcel in the area, which will continue to promote the campus as a primary location for health services to be met.
The planned tenants for the building are all non-profit organizations that offer health related services to people in Kosciusko County. The current plans include; Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, the WIC Program, Medication and Dental Assistance Program, Heartline Pregnancy Center and their Teens 'N Tots Day Care Center, the Health Care Foundation and their B.A.B.E. Boutique, and the Well Child and Immunization Clinics of the County Health Department. Additionally, two financial assistance programs are planning to locate at the building, The Good Samaritan Fund, administered by the Kosciusko County Community Foundation, and the Cancer Care Fund, administered by K21 Foundation.
"The idea of this building has been floating around the community for many years, but it took a big commitment from the board of K21, and a significant amount of cooperation from each of the tenant organizations and their boards," shared Rich Haddad, President of K21 Foundation. "To provide spaces for these organizations that are designed specifically for their services, and to have an environment of sharing ideas and finding new ways to serve people in our community, will have a powerful impact on the effectiveness of these organizations. I saw an amazing amount of ideas, synergy, and cooperation among the tenants even during our group planning meetings" Haddad continued.
Kosciusko County Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light shared a similar sentiment, "The spirit of cooperation and working together to help people in our county is represented very well in seeing this project go from a "good idea" for years to a reality. It will have a permanent impact on this community."
Rick Paczkowski, Executive Director of Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice shared, "A new facility has been needed for some time, as our services and organization have grown well beyond our current location, to the point where it is limiting what we can do for the community. This will give us a chance to grow and address the needs of the community in a greater way".
The building is planned initially for 30,000 square feet, with some ability for future expansion. Final design documents are currently being completed before the project is released for contract bidding. A March 2008 groundbreaking is planned.
In 2007 the Cancer Care Fund provided financial assistance to more than 100 Kosciusko County cancer patients and their families. The fund disbursed nearly $171,000 for items such as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, food, and prescription medications, just to name a few. The funds are raised by a group of dedicated individuals in Kosciusko County who volunteer hundreds of hours each year to plan a number of fundraising events, such as the Gala and Golf Benefit. The group raised nearly $164,000 in 2007 and is already gearing up for the events that will be held in 2008.
The Board of Directors and staff at K21
Foundation would like to publicly thank Willis Alt for his guidance and
leadership of the K21 Foundation since it's inception in 1999. Mr. Alt
announced his retirement from K21 in 2006.
As a longtime resident of Kosciusko County, Mr. Alt began his
banking career at First National Bank of Warsaw in 1970 and eventually
retired as President and CEO in 1999. He has also been part of numerous
volunteer boards in the community including United Way, American Red
Cross, and Kosciusko County Community Foundation. He is also a
long-time member of the Warsaw Kiwanis Club, and served as President
and Lieutenant Governor of that organization.
