In this final installment of delving into the backstory of The Baptist Home’s benevolence journey, we will examine the need to move to a new methodology of providing care for our most financially vulnerable residents. We now turn to a new chapter that bridges the principles of our founding and the challenge to become the Christlike standard of care for the aging.
In December of 2024, our board of trustees voted to approve a recommendation from our Community Engagement Committee which will create a bridge from our past to our future. The John Burney Grant creates a process in which residents who do not have enough personal assets, and whose financial assistance from state and federal sources is less than the cost of their care, can apply for assistance to cover the remaining cost of their care.
The John Burney Grant will be led by the John Burney Grant Task Force—comprised of campus employees, the vice president of community engagement, and a trustee. The task force will administer this grant program using funds donated by you, our supporters. Each year, Baptist Homes will set aside a percentage of our proposed income budget to fund the John Burney Grant.
Campus executive directors, working with their campus business office director and social services director, will make application on behalf of a resident to receive the John Burney Grant. The John Burney Grant Task Force will then make the final recommendation to approve the application based upon the following criteria: available funds, the level of financial need of the applicant, and giving priority to those who have served in vocational ministry areas.
The name, John Burney Grant, is in honor of the third executive leader of The Baptist Home, John Burney. John Burney began his service to The Home as the ‘office man’ for Dr. D.J. Scott and then went on to serve as executive director of The Home from 1953 – 1974. In retirement, he served as a volunteer at The Home in Ironton, transporting residents to doctor’s visits and hospital stays until his advanced age led him to retire yet again. Later in life, John became a resident of the Arcadia Valley campus, where he lived the rest of his days.
During John’s tenure, The Home grew numerically, filling the Arcadia Valley campus, and securing financial stability for The Home after decades of crisis. His spirit, tenacity and quiet personality led The Home with a gentle touch which guided The Home into the modern nursing home era. His legacy now continues as the Baptist Homes seeks to remain true to our past of caring for the least of these and reaches creatively into the future while continuing that care.
Final Word… This has been a lengthy journey, but one I hope has shed light on who we are as The Baptist Home, and who we are striving to be as Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries.
