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Petition to Save Lonicera Hall, our Beloved Seniors’ Home in St. Stephen

Petition to: The Board of Trustees of The Maria F. Ganong Seniors Residence Inc., followed by Government of New Brunswick Partners (Social Development, Department of Health, New Brunswick Housing Cooperation, Tourism, Heritage & Culture, Minister of Seniors) and Community Stakeholders 

Lonicera Hall was never just a building, it was a promise. Born from the compassion and vision of Maria F. Ganong, the home was left as a legacy in our community rooted in compassion, generosity and a deep commitment and care for seniors in St. Stephen. Since 1935, Maria's generosity has offered a home wherin the walls have held stories, laughter, and quiet moments of care. It exists because someone believed our elders deserved dignity and belonging, and that is a promise worth fighting to keep.

The recent announcement of its closure is deeply concerning to, no doubt, the senior residents especially, along with families, staff, previous donors and the wider business community- including the Ganong family who have worked tirelessly, like Maria, to continue to extend their generosity in community by maintaining their operations locally in a continuously changing economy. 

While we understand the challenges outlined, the rising operational demands, staffing pressures, and financial strain - closing Lonicera Hall is not the only solution. The loss of this residence would have significant impacts:

1) Displacement of vulnerable seniors from their home and community
2) Increased strain on already limited long-term care resources in the region
3) Loss of jobs and experienced caregiving staff
4) Erosion of a historic and deeply valued community institution

Lonicera Hall is more than a building, it is part of the social fabric of St. Stephen. In fact, it is so beloved that there is already a groundswell of support to find another way forward. A group of dedicated community leaders, including municipal and provincial representatives, partnering non-profits, healthcare organizations, business leaders, and passionate citizens, are READY and WILLING to step up.

So allow us the opportunity.

Members of the board, we ask that you allow time and space for collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. Allow this community to come together as it has so many times before to find a sustainable path that honours this legacy and keeps Lonicera Hall open.

We are calling on the Board and all relevant levels of government to:

1) Immediately PAUSE the closure process, by allowing local donors and levels of government to fund operations short-term. This solution has been informally offered, and we ask that you accept our offer so that we can halt the re-homing of our seniors.
2) Explore long-term alternative solutions, including funding support, partnerships, or restructuring
3) Engage transparently with the community to identify sustainable paths forward
4) Work directly with this emerging coalition of community leaders and stakeholders
5) Prioritize keeping residents in their home, many of whom have shaped the culture of our community.

Communities are measured by how they care for their most vulnerable. Closing Lonicera Hall without exhausting all possible options would not only be a loss for current residents, it would be a loss of a legacy built on compassion, service, and community care. We urge decision-makers to work collaboratively with families, staff, and the public to find a way to keep Lonicera Hall open. If need be, to open up space on the board for new members to engage in meaningful re-structuring and longevity planning.

Sign this petition to stand for our seniors, our caregivers, our community, and the legacy of Maria F. Ganong.

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However, if you would like to join the cause through a donation, volunteerism or advocacy, please email me at emilyjrodas@gmail.com so I can add your name to a contact list ONLY, so that we may be in touch in future.