MISSION STATEMENT
Comfort House (CHSI) is a licensed, non-profit Special Care Facility (since October 1989) that has served over 2,500 terminally-ill persons and their loved ones from in and around the entire Rio Grande Valley. We provide 10 bedrooms and round-the-clock palliative/comfort care for each person who has been given a prognosis of 4 or less months to live. If, for whatever reason, their family/loved ones cannot care for them at home during this very stressful time, they are welcome at CHSI, until they pass away.
Our mission is to provide a peaceful, homelike environment where any person may die in peace, with dignity, surrounded by his/her loved ones.
HISTORY
In 1989, Comfort House began its ministry to the dying under the auspices of the Diocese of Brownsville. Volunteers signed on to provide care in a three-bed home close to downtown McAllen. In 1992, the Diocese transferred oversight to a new community organization, Comfort House Services, Inc. (CHSI). Building programs in 1994 and 1997 increased our capacity to ten beds. However, we retained our homelike atmosphere and volunteers are still the heart of Comfort House. We are licensed as a 501©3 non-profit, Special Care Facility for the terminally ill.
RESIDENTS
Comfort House residents represent the rich diversity of the Valley. They are admitted when comfort care has replaced curative therapies and when their prognosis is less than four month. We have cared for over 2,000 persons of all ages. They have come to us with cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory conditions, degenerative diseases, and birth anomalies. We warmly accept anyone, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, social status, or ability to pay.
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Average length of stay - 15 days
Annual budget - $440,000
Cost per day of resident care - $195+
SUPPORT
Comfort House does not bill for services. The families of the residents are asked to make donations as they are able. Additional support comes from the community, memorial gifts, fundraising activities and foundation grants. CHSI does not seek Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement by choice. We also receive CDBG funds through the City of McAllen as well as the United Way Services. We are grateful for all our support!
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Community volunteers give thousands of hours of service each year and enable us to operate with a smaller paid staff.
OUR CARE
Comfort House is a community-wide ministry of compassion to the terminally ill whose mission is to provide a peaceful, homelike environment where a person may die in peace, with dignity, surrounded by loved ones. Our staff os committed, loving caregivers and volunteers assist residents, and give hospitality to families.
EDUCATIONAL
RESOURCE
Comfort House staff is available to speak to groups about issues related to death and dying, appropriate end-of-life care and we can also help find resources for care.
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Mr. Omar Guevara (Chairperson)
Mr. Paul Garcia
Ms. Dori Contreras-Garza
Dr. Guillermo Lazo
Mr. Margarito Trujillo
Mr. J. Michael Koch
Mr. Roger Stolley
Roxanna Godinez
Andrya Rivera-Burciaga
Ms. Nancy Reeder
Dr. Velma Menchaca
Ms. Enedina Enriquez
Gerry Garcia
Jerry Wight
STAFF
Veronica Whitacre
Administrator / Finance Officer
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Guillermo Laxo, M.D.
Medical Director (Volunteer)
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Michael Merinos
Administrative Liaison Office
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Marlene Benavidez
Caregiver Supervisor
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Lyana Benavidez
Administrative Liaison Marketing
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9 caregivers and numerous community volunteers!