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Description

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How do you build a healthcare facility On the surface the process is fairly straightforward acquire land or a building develop architectural plans and begin construction or renovation But building an institution requires more than bricks and mortar It requires a steadfast belief in and dedication to the organizations mission that can stand the test of timeChristian Health Care Center CHCC was founded in 1911 by a group of deacons from local Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches Today CHCC a nonprofit organization open to anyone regardless of race sex or religion provides a continuum of highquality familycentered eldercare and mentalhealth services in a compassionate and loving environment consistent with the Christian principles on which the institution was founded Eldercare services include Heritage Manor a 252bed nursing home Southgate a specialcare 40bed inpatient nursing facility offering behavioralmanagement treatment The Longview an 80unit assistedliving facility Christian Health Care Adult Day Services of Wayne and Wyckoff Hillcrest Residence a 39bed residence for independent seniors and Evergreen Court a complex of 40 apartments for independent seniors Mentalhealth services include Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital a fullservice 58bed inpatient hospital for adult and geriatric patients and its outpatient mentalhealth service Christian Health Care Counseling Center Ramapo Ridge Partial Program a voluntary shortterm outpatient service and Pathways a partialhospitalization program to treat adults who experience both a developmental disability and a coexisting psychiatric disorder

THE MISSION
The mission of CHCC is to provide a continuum of highquality services consistent with the Christian principles on which the institution was founded Care is provided to those in need of longterm care mentalhealth care and residential living in a compassionate and loving environment The mission is rooted in the belief that we minister to the whole person recognizing that a persons faith should be utilized strengthened and nourished Accordingly we respect and care for the physical emotional and spiritual needs of those we serve

To fulfill our mission we pledge to

communicate to all concerned that addressing the needs of patients residents clients and their families is our primary objective

provide a comprehensive range of health behavioral pastoral and supportive services without regard to age religion race sex or national origin

recognize the importance of providing quality care that meets or exceeds the generally accepted standards of the community in an efficient and costeffective manner

uphold our charitable mission and strive to assure access to our services by all those in need while maintaining financial integrity

provide a safe and wellmaintained physical environment

offer healthpromotion services and educational programs to the community

evaluate the needs of those we serve to determine if the existing array of services should be modified or expanded and

work cooperatively with appropriate service agencies as well as churches and other religious organizations to assure that community needs are met

Our mission statement was created through a joint effort involving staff volunteers and the governing body

VISION
Christian Health Care Center seeks to be the hands of Christ through expressions of mercy and love We aspire to live out our ministry of healing and caring to fulfill the need for quality services offered in a Christian environment We seek to provide an everwidening and enriched continuum of highquality services We commit ourselves to the Christian principles on which we were founded thereby enabling us to carry out Gods work with integrity and compassion

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History

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Nine decades ago 14 deacons from local Reformed and Christian Reformed Churches gathered in Paterson NJ to discuss a topic which at the time was rarely mentioned in the early 20th century mental illness These visionaries concluded the meeting with a commitment to create a facility that would be guided by Christian principles and provide physical mental and spiritual care for those with mental afflictions regardless of ability to pay

In the decades prior to the creation of Christian Health Care Center individuals with mental illnesses were cared for in asylums jails and almshouses where conditions were despicable and often inhumane But the deacons who met in Paterson vowed to offer a higher level of care following Christian principles

Funds were raised property was purchased and in 1917 the vision became a reality with the opening of the Christian Sanatorium The farmhouse on the property was renovated to make it suitable for patient care and the Christian San as it became known was immediately filled to capacity In the spring of 1921 another building was dedicated to accommodate 35 patients History soon repeated itself and both hospitals were filled to capacity with a growing waiting list resulting in construction crews settling in once again during the fall of 1925

By the end of World War II the continued growth of the elderly population at the facility spurred interest in adding eldercare options to the services offered at the Christian San In the fall of 1957 the 45bed Christian Nursing Home was dedicated During this year an outpatient mentalhealth counseling center was also established Construction projects continued through the 60s to house many support services leading to the demolition of the original farmhouse

With an eye toward the future eldercare services were increased in the 1970s In 1974 a 120bed nursing home opened and the Christian San was renamed Christian Health Care Center In 1986 a 12 million expansion plan was approved resulting in the 1989 dedication of Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital Heritage Manor West Nursing Home Hillcrest Residence and Christian Health Care Adult Day Services In 1988 the Dual Diagnosis Program renamed Pathways a year later opened

The 1990s brought continued growth with the opening of Evergreen Court Supportive Senior Housing Complex in 1995 and the Evergreen Court Annex in 1997 Southgate at Ramapo Ridge also added another component to the Centers continuum of care in 1997 1999 was also a year of growth for the Center with the opening of The Longview Assisted Living Residence the formation of the Christian Health Care Center Foundation and the unveiling of the newly renovated De Roo House to provide accommodations for individuals visiting the Centers residents and patients

In addition the Center began the new millennium with the expansion of its oupatient mentalhealth program through the addition of several Advent Counseling Centers in North Haledon Somerset Somerville and Summit The Ministry Renewal Center was designed for clergyincrisis who are experiencing difficulties in their ministries families or ability to function on a daily basis

If history is a guide the Centers future promises continued growth to fulfill the needs of the everchanging community while never losing sight of the Christian principles upon which the institution was founded