1970's

The modern concept of hospice, first established in Great Britain , made use of pain management techniques and ministered compassionate care to the dying. Hospice care is introduced in the United States in 1974.

1979

The hospice concept of compassion and care for the dying is brought to Modesto in 1979 by two student nurses, Mary Jean Couer-Barron Thompson and Kathy Oberg- Erlenbeck.

Kathy Oberg (pictured above) with volunteers in 1983.

A volunteer at The Hope Chest Thrift Store, 1994. The first Hope Chest store opened it's doors on North McHenry Avenue in 1993.

1980

Community Hospice nurses visit their first patient on January 22, 1980.

1982

The Friends of Hospice, an auxiliary fundraising group of committed volunteers, begin planning events to financially support Community Hospice. One of the first events organized by the Friends is the Decorators' Showhouse.

1983

Community Hospice expands services to include residents of Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and Salida. Soon Patterson, Newman, and Wesley follow.

1985

On October 31, 1985 Community Hospice achieves another milestone by becoming the first freestanding hospice in the nation to receive accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation.

1988

In January 1988, Community Hospice merges with Project VIA, an independent nonprofit agency providing bereavement care. It is then that the organization begins to provide services to anyone facing any terminal illness and bereavement services to community members, regardless of the cause of illness.

1993

The first Hope Chest Thrift Store opens its doors on North McHenry Avenue.

1999

The second and third Hope Chest Thrift Stores open for business on McHenry Avenue and on Yosemite Blvd in Modesto.

A dream becomes a reality. Led by Community Hospice CEO Harold A. Peterson III, the Alexander Cohen Hospice House breaks ground in Hughson, 2003.

On March 7, 2005, the Alexander Cohen Hospice House opened its doors. Pictured above is hospice nurse Carol Triller, RN, with our first Hospice House patient, Thelma Edwards.

2000

Community Hospice received the United Way Agency Leadership Award for its outstanding service to the community.

The Community Hospice Auto Division begin to accept donations of used cars, motorcycles and other vehicles on Beard Avenue.

2001

In June 2001 the Community Hospice Foundation is established to raise funds and awareness to support patients and their families. A capital campaign for a Hospice House is initiated. 

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce names Community Hospice Non-Profit Organization of the Year.

2002

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizes Community Hospice as its Non-Profit Organization of the Year.

2003

The groundbreaking for the Alexander Cohen Hospice House takes place in Hughson , California . The planned 16-bed facility is the culmination of a long-held goal on the part of Community Hospice boards, staff and volunteers, and made possible through generous community support.

2004

The fourth Hope Chest Thrift Store, located in Ceres, holds its grand opening.

Community Hospice develops an internal durable medical equipment inventory and delivery system to ensure durable equipment is provided to our patients in an efficient manner. Our Medical Equipment Division is located at 500 Glass Lane, Suite D in Modesto.

2005

The Alexander Cohen Hospice House accepts our first patient March 7, 2005. The 20,000 square foot Hospice House includes 16 private rooms with adjoining patios, a chapel, and activity and music rooms for patients and families. The Hospice House receives Medicare certification to provide general inpatient care, becoming the first Hospice House in California to receive this certification for an acute level of inpatient hospice care.

The new Haig and Isabel Berberian Patient Services Center opens its doors and becomes home to Community Hospice and the Community Hospice Foundation on May 20, 2005. The new building houses clinical staff, bereavement and support services employees, Foundation staff as well as administration.

The Community Hospice Foundation initiates an endowment campaign aimed at ensuring the long-term financial viability of Community Hospice.

2006

Community Hospice cares for up to 180 patients daily for the first time in its history.

Hope Chest 3 re-locates from Modesto to the town of Oakdale.

Community Hospice staff moved into the Haig & Isabel Berberian Patient Services Center on May 20, 2005. Pictured above at the Open House is Sue Allen (left), first president of Friends of Hospice, and Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Thompson, co-founder of Community Hospice.