The Auxiliary Home began as a daycare center for disabled persons and senior citizens through the efforts of Mrs. Christine Flanders and others. Mrs. Flanders had a dream of someday having a place where “shut-ins” could visit with one another, be seen by members of the community, enjoy creative activities and entertainment, and, above all, feel a part of the daily life of the community.
As a result, a foundation was formed in 1983. The island government at the time provided financial support for the purchase of land, and the construction of the first building (daycare center) was financed by the Netherlands and ‘Sede Antia’ with twenty-five percent input from the Foundation. Plans for a full-care Nursing Home were underway, but it took four years to acquire the necessary funds to construct the Nursing Home.
Construction of the first wing began in 1995 and was completed in the summer of 1996. The first wing of the Nursing Home was officially operational in September 1997 as an eight-bed facility after funding became available through AVBZ. During the following period, the need for expansion was evident, with a long waiting list of clients.
A ten-year projection was initiated with plans for four additional rooms and future expansion. With funding from the island government, Reda Social, and the Auxiliary Home Foundation, the second wing was constructed and officially opened in September 2002. The home then became a sixteen-bed facility. The final phase and third wing were completed with funding from Reda Social, the Auxiliary Home Foundation, and other donations and were officially opened in June 2007, making the home a twenty-one-bed facility.
It is the people who make the St. Eustatius Auxiliary Home Foundation what it is, and we are extremely proud of the achievements of our
staff. We all work together to help our patients through recovery, providing the best possible care.
