$400M bond bill is a key step toward building a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
Updated Feb 11, 2021;
BOSTON The Baker administration on Thursday filed a $400 million bond bill to forge ahead with construction of a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.
The bill, “An Act Financing the Reconstruction of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke,” is the first step in securing financing for a new building to replace the 70-year-old veterans’ care facility on Cherry Street.
The state-run nursing home was particularly hard-hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
At least 76 veterans died at an alarming pace between March and June. Dozens more tested positive, along with more than 80 staff, some of whom have testified they were traumatized by trying to keep up with the death toll and care for the sick.
Advocates make a case for new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke
An ambulance arrives at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke on March 31, 2020. STAFF FILE PHOTO
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HOLYOKE As a spring deadline approaches to apply for federal money, advocates for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke are calling for a new facility and a greater number of beds than what was outlined in a report the state released in November.
The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition was formed last spring to advocate for reforms at the facility in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak there that claimed at least 76 lives.
The coalition, which includes leaders of veterans service organizations, former employees of the facility and family members of those who died in the outbreak, is advocating for the replacement of the current facility with a new one that would include 280 private rooms and an adult health care day program.
Advocates make a case for new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke
An ambulance arrives at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Published: 1/26/2021 3:39:47 PM
HOLYOKE – As a spring deadline approaches to apply for federal money, advocates for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke are calling for a new facility and a greater number of beds than what was outlined in a report the state released in November.
The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition was formed last spring to advocate for reforms at the facility in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak there that claimed at least 76 lives.
The coalition, which includes leaders of veterans service organizations, former employees of the home, and family members of those who died in the outbreak, is advocating for the replacement of the current facility with a new one that would include 280 private rooms and an adult health care day program.
‘Silent suffering on that waiting list’: Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition says state plan for new facility falls short
Updated Jan 26, 2021;
HOLYOKE Leaders of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Coalition have turned up the public heat on state officials over plans to build a new facility after the staggering COVID-19 outbreak at the long-term care facility last spring.
Paul Barabani and John Paradis, the onetime superintendent and deputy superintendent of the Soldiers’ Home, respectively, led a presentation Tuesday highlighting what they believe is a woefully flawed plan the state is poised to present to the federal government in April.
The grassroots coalition of nearly three dozen including former administrators, lawmakers, family members, veterans and supporters formed somewhat organically in response to the crisis. The group was among the first to call for a revival of plans to build a new home after previous proposals were essentially abandoned by state government for