Dear Vincentian Community and Family,

For most of us, the holiday season is a time spent with loved ones. Reflecting on the past year, enjoying each other’s company, and celebrating the exciting things to come as the year turns over from one to the next. I hope you are one of the fortunate people who bask in the holiday revelry with family and friends.

The joy of brightening other’s lives, bearing each other’s burdens, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.

W.C. Jones

At Vincentian, we often care for people who aren’t as lucky as we are. People who have lived long lives—sometimes long enough that they’re the only one of their friend group that remains. People who have lived for decades surrounded by loved ones—but now the families have grown and they spend most of their time away from those who once filled their homes with love and laughter. People who worked hard all their lives to prepare for their golden years—and yet circumstances beyond their control put them in a situation where they have expended all their resources. 

People like Jose*. Jose is a young man—much younger than the people you typically think of Vincentian caring for in our skilled nursing facilities. Jose is far from home, trying to make a life for himself in the United States. No family. No friends. No ability to speak the language.

A few months ago, Jose was injured in a work accident. While receiving emergency care, it was discovered that Jose is gravely ill with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Without a support system and unable to speak the language, Jose became one of many people who get “stuck” in an acute care hospital setting because they don’t have the resources to go elsewhere. Without insurance yet still needing care, Vincentian staff advocated for him to enter Vincentian Home and get the quality care he needs despite his circumstances.

This is our mission on display. When many others would turn away a patient like Jose, our staff fought for him. When admission paperwork needed to be translated so that Jose could understand what he was signing, our staff made that happen. When Jose needed a bed and a safe space to receive care, our staff strengthened their resolve to ensure he would receive those things.

The challenges Jose faces are real. The challenges Vincentian faces are also real. We struggle each day to preserve our mission and to advance it. Nonetheless, Vincentian is people caring for people. This cannot ever go out of style. Not for Jose, or anyone else.

This holiday season, make a gift to help Jose and the hundreds of other people we care for remain safe, happy, and surrounded by people who will provide them with the highest quality care—no matter their circumstances. Your gift now will bring joy and compassion to so many this holiday season and in the year to come.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays,

Dean Owrey
President & CEO

*Jose’s name has been changed to protect his identity and respect his privacy.