AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: Sarah’s Guest House expands its facilities
Jazaleen Salinas: A Syracuse nonprofit is about to double how many people they can serve this week. NCC News’ Anna McCusker joins us live from the newsroom with more about this expansion.
Anna McCusker: Sarah’s Guest House started as a four-bedroom home in 1994. Thirty years later, they serve nearly 1,000 families a year by providing affordable housing and comfort for those who have traveled to Syracuse for healthcare. When room space and accessibility became a problem, executive director David Haas knew they had to expand.
David Haas: When a guest was in a wheelchair or just unable to get upstairs, we had to turn them away.
Anna McCusker: With 11 more bedrooms, eight more bathrooms, another lobby, kitchen and more, the guest house can take care of everyone’s needs.
David Haas: We always like to explain to our guests that we’ll take care of everything—your food, your ride, your lodging—you take care of yourself or your loved one.
Anna McCusker: Sarah’s Guest House will celebrate their new facilities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. Live from the newsroom, I’m Anna McCusker, NCC News.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Sarah’s Guest House, Central New York’s only adult healthcare hospitality house, has expanded its facilities and will open them on Thursday. The guest house started as only a four-bedroom home in 1994. Now, 30 years later, it serves nearly 1,000 patients and their families per year, providing housing, transportation, meals and comfort for those traveling to Syracuse for healthcare.
When the executive director of the guest house, David Haas, began working there in 2018, the lack of room space and accessibility for guests had already prompted talks about expansion.
“When a guest was in a wheelchair or just unable to get upstairs, we had to turn them away,” Haas said.
Now, with a new elevator, 11 more bedrooms, eight more bathrooms, an additional lobby, kitchen and more, this won’t be an issue. By nearly doubling in size, Sarah’s Guest House will be able to meet more needs and continue providing affordable care for all those in need.
“We always like to explain to our guests that we’ll take care of everything — your food, your ride, your lodging — you take care of yourself or your loved one,” Haas said.
The organization will celebrate its new facilities with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. There will be guided tours, light refreshments and remarks from Mayor Ben Walsh.