$1M state grant awarded to fund Erie’s first residential hospice center
A state grant injects new life into a plan to build Erie County's first residential hospice center.
The palliative care clinic, which will be built in McKean Township, just received a $1 million state grant. Now, its planners are looking for community support to bring the plan to the finish line.
"On Friday we got a call from Representative Banta saying that we got a $1 million RACP grant," said Julia Strzalka, executive director of the Julia Hospice & Palliative Care.
It was beyond exciting news for Julia Strzalka. News that brings her husband Dr. Christopher Strzalka's idea to build the first residential hospice clinic ever in Erie County closer to reality.
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"Well it gets us to $5 million which we're very excited about. The lowest bid on the Julia House came at $5.75, so we only need $750,000 to complete this and start construction," said Strzalka.
Julia House will be built on 13 acres on West Road in McKean Township. It promises end-of-life care in a comfortable environment.
The building will have extra wide exterior doors so beds can be wheeled outside and patients can enjoy comforting gardens.
Julia Hospice and Palliative Care was started during the pandemic, delaying the the goal of a residential facility.
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But the project has had bipartisan support from state representatives every step of the way.
"Erie County is the only major county that doesn't have a palliative care center and I think that's important. We have an aging population and folks need to be in a facility like this. So I have been onboard since day one and I'm happy to deliver the million dollars to this project," said Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, State Rep., 3rd District, Erie County.
Now, the Strzalkas are counting on individual donations to start construction by the end of the year.
"It's been amazing. We just need a little bit more to go and we can start building and serving the people of Erie County," Strzalka said.
Learn more about Julia House by clicking here.
