Our History
Joliet Area Community Hospice has been providing compassionate, professional care to terminally ill patients and their families since 1982. We are a not-for-profit corporation, state licensed and Medicare/Medicaid certified. Because of our excellent reputation for care and service, we have served over 18,000 patients since 1982. We serve patients in greater Will, Grundy, and Kendall counties along with parts of Cook, DuPage and Kankakee counties.
The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is to provide comprehensive, holistic, community based support services and care for terminally ill persons, their caregivers, and loved ones without regard to economic status; to enable the dying person to live peacefully, in comfort and with dignity, to the last moment of life.
The mission of Joliet Area Community Hospice is to provide comprehensive, holistic, community based support services and care for terminally ill persons, their caregivers, and loved ones without regard to economic status; to enable the dying person to live peacefully, in comfort and with dignity, to the last moment of life.
Celebrating 30 Years - Our History At A Glance
1982 Hospice becomes available in the Joliet are through the combined efforts of St. Joseph Medical Center, Silver Cross Hospital and several community groups and individuals. Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes the first hospice established in the community.
1983 Rosemary Bowe is named Executive Director and opens the inital office located at 333 N. Hammes. The first group of hospice volunteers received training in March. Joliet Area Community Hospice admitted its first patient onto the Bethany Unit at St. Joseph Medical Center on April 1st. By December, 127 patients had been served.
1984 The Joliet Area Community Hospice Guild Volunteer fundraising group was formed.
1985 By the end of the year, over 480 patients had received hospice services. Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes member of United Way of Will County.
1986 Joliet Area Community Hospice receives full licensing from the State of Illinois Department of Health. Mary Jo Smith becomes the second Executive Director with 2 additional staff members. In August, the offices were moved to the Marycrest Shopping Center at 2112 W. Jefferson St.
1987 January - Over 820 patients received services with an average daily census of 27 patients.
1990 In October, Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes the first hospice in Will County to qualify as a provider of Medicare hospice benefits. Over 1,200 patients have received hospice services.
1982 Hospice becomes available in the Joliet are through the combined efforts of St. Joseph Medical Center, Silver Cross Hospital and several community groups and individuals. Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes the first hospice established in the community.
1983 Rosemary Bowe is named Executive Director and opens the inital office located at 333 N. Hammes. The first group of hospice volunteers received training in March. Joliet Area Community Hospice admitted its first patient onto the Bethany Unit at St. Joseph Medical Center on April 1st. By December, 127 patients had been served.
1984 The Joliet Area Community Hospice Guild Volunteer fundraising group was formed.
1985 By the end of the year, over 480 patients had received hospice services. Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes member of United Way of Will County.
1986 Joliet Area Community Hospice receives full licensing from the State of Illinois Department of Health. Mary Jo Smith becomes the second Executive Director with 2 additional staff members. In August, the offices were moved to the Marycrest Shopping Center at 2112 W. Jefferson St.
1987 January - Over 820 patients received services with an average daily census of 27 patients.
1990 In October, Joliet Area Community Hospice becomes the first hospice in Will County to qualify as a provider of Medicare hospice benefits. Over 1,200 patients have received hospice services.
1991 Moved into new offices donated by Jack & Virgina Rogers in 1989 at 335 W. Jefferson St. Volunteers spent close to a year renovating the space with donated services from the City of Joliet, Cliff Bender, architect, and many others to make it functional for the needs of the organization. Berryman transfer volunteered their time to complete the move.
1992 In December, Duane Krieger becomes the third Executive Director.
1994 Almost 2000 dying patients and their families have been served by Joliet Area Community Hospice since opening in 1983.
1999 The Board of Directors begins pursuing a dream of building the first freestanding Hospice Home in Illinois.
2001 A $3 million capital campaign begins to raise the funds to build the Hospice Home.
1992 In December, Duane Krieger becomes the third Executive Director.
1994 Almost 2000 dying patients and their families have been served by Joliet Area Community Hospice since opening in 1983.
1999 The Board of Directors begins pursuing a dream of building the first freestanding Hospice Home in Illinois.
2001 A $3 million capital campaign begins to raise the funds to build the Hospice Home.
2002 In September, a groundbreaking ceremony is held at the site of the Hospice Home.
2003 Over 10,000 patients have been served by 110 employees and 200 active volunteers with a daily census of 140 patients
2003 Over 10,000 patients have been served by 110 employees and 200 active volunteers with a daily census of 140 patients
2004 In May, the Joliet Area Community Hospice Home opens, becoming the first freestanding hospice home in Illinois.
2006 Admits its first patients at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center and Silver Cross Hospital.
2007 Having served over 12,000 patients with and average daily census of 165 patients and over 1,200 families using bereavement services, Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to grow with over 150 staff members and 250 active volunteers.
2012 Over 20,000 patients have been cared for Joliet Area Community Hospice since 1983.
JACH celebrates its 30th year of service to Will, Grundy, Kendall, Cook, Kankakee, and Dupage Counties..
2006 Admits its first patients at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center and Silver Cross Hospital.
2007 Having served over 12,000 patients with and average daily census of 165 patients and over 1,200 families using bereavement services, Joliet Area Community Hospice continues to grow with over 150 staff members and 250 active volunteers.
2012 Over 20,000 patients have been cared for Joliet Area Community Hospice since 1983.
JACH celebrates its 30th year of service to Will, Grundy, Kendall, Cook, Kankakee, and Dupage Counties..
