One of the Shoals’ most cherished health care organizations is in jeopardy, ironically because of planned and needed progress toward a new hospital for the Shoals. Westminster Interfaith Caring Place is a non-profit adult day care facility, serving the frail elderly, many of whom suffer from Alzheimer’s or other dementia. WICP has been in operation since 2009 in space leased from the Brandon Ministry Center and improved by WICP at considerable cost to meet safety and security codes.

The Brandon Ministry Center has a contract in place to sell the building to RegionalCare Inc., as the site for the new hospital, contingent upon that firm’s obtaining a certificate of need. If events proceed as visualized, the Brandon building will be demolished and the hospital constructed upon the site. WICP is faced with the likely necessity to locate replacement space and modify it to meet code requirements, again at great expense.

The churches of the Shoals, and other organizations and individuals, have been very generous indeed to contribute funds and volunteer time to WICP, and all contributions are vital and appreciated. If WICP is to survive this transition, in the absence of reimbursement by either the Brandon Ministry Center and/or RegionalCare, then the charitable inclinations of Shoals residents will become even more critical to protect WICP as a continuing resource for home-based caregivers and care-receivers.

WICP’s board members seek answers to daily questions by caregivers and friends, “Why has WICP been omitted in this community plan and what will happen to WICP?” We pray that a positive answer will soon be revealed.

Elba Barnes

WICP co-founder