Kimberly Becker and Randy Parr didn’t hesitate to acknowledge that donated items from St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center are a “Godsend.”
The St. Rose fixtures and furnishings are finding a new home at Central Kansas Dream Center Inc., 2100 Broadway, where Becker is director and Parr is job skills program manager.
St. Rose is preparing for the razing of the facility’s circles next year, in part, by sharing excess items with the community.
“We have been picking up items since early in November,” Parr commented. “There are countertops, lighting fixtures, ceiling materials, furniture and cabinets.
“And these are quality, custom-built cabinets – some of which will be turned into lockers,” he added. “And we will use the latticework from the St. Rose chapel in our chapel. There is also the possibility we will receive doors and hardware. We are really excited about all of this.”
The Dream Center’s mission is to reconnect isolated people to God and a community of support by providing human services that address immediate and long-term needs such as homelessness, hunger relief and education, Becker noted.
“Our current fundraiser is to help finance phase one of the fire-sprinkler system,” she said. “And our next construction project is on the second floor where there will be dorms and a large bathroom for men.
“Currently,” she explained, “the men live off-site and all residents now are women. We will use the St. Rose items where they are most needed. The ultimate goal is to have all three floors of this building in use; the third floor is vacant.”
Becker is especially thankful to the Dominican Sisters, who started St. Rose more than 110 years ago.
“The sisters have supported us for nine years now,” Becker said, noting some have served on the Dream Center Board of Directors.
Sister Jolene Geier, OP, indicated that part of the local Dominicans’ mission is to support marginalized people, especially women and children.
“From the beginning we have supported the Rev. Daniel R. Trickey Life Giving Center, which is now part of the Dream Center,” Sister Jolene said. “We also believe recycling items is a way of caring for the earth.
“It is definitely pleasing to know that the legacy of our healing mission will continue to serve people in need as we re-purpose the furnishings from St. Rose,” she continued. “The Sisters continue to pray that the needs of people in our community will be met.”
St. Rose is part of Centura Health, which connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.
