Groundbreaking held for GentleBrook’s The HomeStead
GentleBrook and community officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 18 to celebrate the organization’s next chapter and new investment in Coshocton County. Pictured are Tiffany Swigert, left, Barb Emmons, James Miller, Norm Wengerd, Tana Fischer, Ben Sommers, Tom Gibbins and Bob Pell.
GentleBrook and community officials gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony on Sept. 18 to celebrate the organization’s next chapter and new investment in Coshocton County.
The HomeStead of Coshocton, a 58-bed, 52,700-square-foot senior living community, will be located at 48241 Genesis Drive in Coshocton. The project will be a $14 million investment in Coshocton County and will create approximately 50 jobs.
The land for the facility was purchased from The Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, whose Senior Pastor Mike Jansen was asked to pray over the project.
“It was our hopes and dreams that this property would go to someone with a ministry mindset,” Jansen said. “There is no doubt in my mind that God sees what is about to happen here and knows it is going to be good.”
GentleBrook’s mission is to connect people and community and to provide the highest quality of care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities and older adults. They believe all human life is a sacred gift and most fulfilled in community with others.
“We already provide residential and support services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities from our West Lafayette location,” said Ben Sommers, president of the GentleBrook Board of Directors. “We are excited to expand services in the county and add options for our aging population.”
Norm Wengerd, CEO of GentleBrook, said this project has been almost three years in the making.
“Our greatest blessing with this was from the Coshocton Foundation,” he said. “The project would have been next to impossible without their grants and confidence. It gave us the initiative to move forward.”
Funding was received from the Coshocton Foundation’s The Hospice of Coshocton Legacy Fund; The Joseph W., Fred E. and Helen LeRetilley Johnston Fund; The Joan Hartley Gross Memorial Fund; The Edwin F. Mulligan Endowment Fund; The R. Larry and Judith Ann Heagle Robinson Fund; and The Ralph D. and Judy P. Wisenburg Fund.
“This is our largest investment in the community to date,” said Bob Pell, executive director of the Coshocton Foundation. “The Genesis Coshocton Medical Center was our previous, and it has exceeded our expectations. I see no reason why The HomeStead should be any less successful.”
The lead grant, totaling $2.4 million, comes from The Hospice of Coshocton Legacy Fund, which was established by the former board of directors of Health Services of Coshocton County to benefit healthcare needs of the residents of Coshocton County. This restricted fund at the Coshocton Foundation was created from the many contributions that were directed to Health Services of Coshocton County through the years, frequently in memory of individuals who were served by the hospice organization. The other major contributors from the Coshocton Foundation totaled an additional $1.6 million.
Barb Emmons was with Hospice of Coshocton County for 28 years and is now a trustee for the Coshocton Foundation. She is glad they could help GentleBrook and even more excited Tana Fischer will be the executive director.
“I have great respect for the GentleBrook organization, and I have work experience with Tana,” Emmons said. “Tana is an excellent nurse, outstanding manager and most of all a really good person.”
James Miller, executive vice president at GentleBrook, will oversee the construction project. He said they plan to work through the winter as long as it doesn’t get too cold and should wrap up construction at the end of 2025. After moving in furniture and setting up all their technology, the facility will hopefully open in spring 2026.
Fischer, who was born and raised in Coshocton County, is excited to lead the team at The HomeStead. She brought the idea of building this facility in Coshocton to Wengerd and is thankful he shared her vision.
“The good Lord had his hands on this project from the very beginning,” Fischer said.
She looks forward to helping individuals with their quality of life and creating a community where they are safe, loved and can have fun.
Fischer’s sister Tiffany Swigert, executive director of the Coshocton Port Authority, said she has seen firsthand the quality of care given to GentleBrook residents and is excited for the opportunity.
“Welcome and congratulations,” Swigert said.
The HomeStead will sit on a 5.5-acre lot and feature 32 assisted living units and 26 secure memory care units. Residents can rely on a 24-hour, onsite licensed nurse and a staff of wellness aides.
For more information visit www.gentlebrook.org.