History

The idea behind the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy was sparked in 2014 when Tim Charles, Mercy’s president and CEO, was in Mt. Kisco, N.Y. He had toured the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center at Northern Westchester Hospital and was inspired. Tim had been worried about the effects of stress faced by family caregivers and this seemed like an answer. He recruited Kathy Good, a retired social worker and caregiver to her husband, Dave, who had been living with Alzheimer’s since 2003. Kathy was eager to help.

In March 2015, the Mercy Medical Foundation Board voted unanimously to proceed with a $2.5 million fundraising initiative to endow the Center. A team attended Start Up CR Weekend, a program for developing startup companies. Of 150 participants and 10 participant-selected projects, the Family Caregivers Center won and was granted tuition to Venture School at University of Iowa John PappaJohn Entrepreneurial Center to develop the concept further. During that year, focus groups and interviews were completed with caregivers to determine needs and supports that might help.

On December 17, 2015, the Family Caregivers Center of Mercy opened to the public and, one year later, the $2.5 million fundraising goal was met. Kathy Good became the Center’s director as a volunteer and, later, an office coordinator and manager were hired. The Center continues to grow and celebrated its fifth anniversary in 2020.