Our House
We are a home, not a facility. Yet it’s a home where there is ample support. The social environment is one of caring, and offers emotional support for the families. The volunteers of the Toni and Trish House provide personal, selfless, compassionate care to each guest in a home-like environment.
A physical environment that is bright, clean, and not “institutional” is also very important. The home has space for three guests, a spacious kitchen, a common living room, a chapel, and a laundry.
The three guestrooms are: the Reder Room, the English-Calahan Room, and the Memorial Presbyterian Deacons’ Room. Each large room has its own bath. This allows family and visitors to spend private time with the guest.
Reder Room
The furnishings for the Reder Room were donated by Tommy Reder in memory of Barbara Reder. Barbara, Toni Waskevich’s sister, also died in the automobile accident that took Toni’s life.
English-Calahan Room
The husband, siblings, children, nieces and nephews of Pat “Trish” McKelvey donated the furnishings for this room. It is named for Trish’s parents, who farmed in Poseyville near Midland.
Memorial Presbyterian Deacons’ Room
This room was donated in honor of the deacons at Bertha Strosacker Memorial Presbyterian Church on Ashman Street in Midland.
Common Areas
A spacious kitchen is the “heart" of the house. The kitchen is communal and open round the clock. Volunteers prepare meals for the guests. The family and friends of guests can use the kitchen to prepare their loved one’s favorite meals and snacks. And, just like at home, the kitchen is where everyone can sit around the table and enjoy conversation, food, and silence.
A common living room allows family members to take a break to avoid burnout.
The chapel is a quiet room for prayer, meditation, or reflection. It is for people of all faiths and those that practice no faith. Located in the chapel is a cross that was handmade by John Waskevich, a Torah gifted by members of Tempel Beth El, and a crying Buddha carving donated by local meditators.
The patio on the north end of the house contains a seating area surrounded by shrubs and flowers that bloom all summer long. Co-chairs of the patio project were Anne Fitak and Carol Coty. Landscape artist John Venman did the drawings and helped obtain many of the plants that were donated. This project had many volunteers.
A meditation area is nestled in mature pines behind the home. Jesse Warren and members of Boy Scout Troop 768 donated their time and labor to create this calm, reflective area.