Timeline of WCA Home for website:

Current:

WCA Board of Directors, with three part-time staff, take responsibility for the property, the facility, and historical stewardship, along with the dispersal of all WCA assets, including the Home, which was listed for sale and is currently unsold.

Historical records of the WCA Board of Directors were donated to the Darwin R. Barker Museum in Fredonia, and can be accessed there.

Closure 2023:

In late 2022, the Board of Directors voted to close the WCA Home due to impact of financial losses incurred from insufficient SSI reimbursement, compounded by pandemic pressures on society.

WCA finds placements for all of its residents and closes doors in February, 2023;

2020-Covid 19 Pandemic

Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 introduces major changes in all functions of the home. The home remained virus-free for 13 months, but virus then broke out inside the Home and caused much sickness among staff and residents, and some residents died in hospital.

Residents and staff of WCA Home and other healthcare facilities were among the first citizens vaccinated as planned (one week after COVID-19 broke out inside).

Pandemic challenges continue for another year. Hiring and maintaining qualified staff became an unexpected threat. New admissions and residency rates dropped drastically.

1990-2019:

First elevator installed

Major expansion (after Capital Campaign) of WCA Home to admit eight more residents, adding bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, activity room, and additional dining room.

Gift of Estate from Carol Card Dudley infuses financial stability and security for the long-term, pays off mortgage for new addition.

NYS grants WCA a license to operate as a NYS Assisted Living Program, opening doors to those eligible for SSI reimbursement.

The board votes to admit both men and women, amending its certificate of incorporation.

Ductless air conditioning installed throughout the building.

WCA Home joins statewide advocacy effort on SSI reimbursement: The WCA Home in Fredonia joined a state-wide advocacy effort to convince Legislature of New York State to increase its reimbursement for SSI (Supplemental Security Income) residents. “The rate of $41.85 per day has remained frozen for 10 years…” the board wrote in its newsletter. “The SSI reimbursement is less than half of what the Home assumes in expenses for each person, and each year that it remains frozen pushes the Home toward financial peril.” The board and staff met with Assemblyman Andy Goodell and incoming Senator George Borrello about the crisis the home will face if SSI rates are not increased.

1970-1990:

NYS grants WCA a license to operate as an Adult Home under state regulations, assuming authority over practices, procedures, and physical spaces.

Heating system fueled by natural gas installed to replace coal-burning furnace.

1910-1957:

Local citizens provide a steady flow of financial and volunteer support to keep the WCA Home

The IRS categorizes WCA as a private foundation, and renews its non-profit status by the IRS under Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

By 1957, a total of 114 women had signed contracts with the WCA in order to live the remainder of their lives at the WCA Home. The annex is built and the kitchen is upgraded.

Transitioning to the modern era, WCA Home buys its first television, and expands janitor’s job to include car transportation for ladies as needed.

1900:

12 women reside at the Home, and the founders begin fundraising toward building an annex to accommodate more.

1893:

A committee of Fredonia businessmen agreed to be named “trustees” of funds raised that will provide additional income and support for the WCA Home.

Mrs. Elizabeth Richardson of Gerry, NY, was the first resident of the Home. The Home formally opens with speeches from local leaders, a choir, and dedication ceremony.

1892:

Prominent women of Fredonia met at the home of Sarah Palmer (wife of Fredonia Academy Principal Frances Palmer) at 86 Central Ave. in Fredonia and formed the Women’s Christian Association. Founding members of this group were Mrs. Palmer, Marion Morris, Mary Putnam, Jennie Curtis, Martha Wygant, Mary Cobb, Clara Morris Albro, Flora Clothier, Sarah Pratt, Ella Sly, and Maria Day.

The group announced it is establishing an old age home for women. “The elegant home of Mr. Aaron O. Putnam on Temple Street, Fredonia, will pass into the hands of the Women’s Christian Association next May, and will hereafter be known as the home for Aged Women. Here, it is hoped, many old residents of the county will spend their declining years in comfort.” — Dunkirk Evening Observer, December 16, 1892.