After 17 years in service as a breast cancer resource center, Michelle’s Place is pleased to announce its move to a space more than three times its current location to provide more programs and services to meet the needs of the cancer community. The new Center located on Winchester Road in Temecula will officially be the only Cancer Resource Center in the Riverside, San Bernardino, and North County San Diego regions.
In 2001, Michelle’s Place Breast Cancer Resource Center became a reality as the first Michelle’s Place location began offering resources to anyone who was impacted by breast cancer. With limited staff and very limited space, the Center grew to become an extraordinary support and wellness resource in the Southwest Riverside County region.
Last year, more than 1,900 individuals were served through nearly 10,500 free services. As cancer impacts 1 in 3 people, everyone is touched by cancer, making Michelle’s Place a critical resource for help, hope, and healing. After expanding its vision that “no one will face cancer alone,” the logical next step was to expand services to help anyone with cancer receive the support they need.
The Center’s new single-floor suite can better meet the needs of current clients and be prepared for future growth. Construction is expected to begin in December 2018 and will occur in phases in order to continue caring for clients during construction. The building plans include a great room, library, conference room, office spaces, support group rooms, tranquility rooms for relaxation and Reiki sessions, a kid’s room, full-size kitchen, and more.
The Center implemented an Expansion Campaign in August to raise funds necessary for purchasing the building and expanding services offered to the cancer community. The Campaign has two phases for reaching its ultimate goal of $5 million dollars for building and capital improvement costs. The goal in the first phase is to raise $1.2 million by June 1, 2019 to open escrow.
“The community has built Michelle’s Place to be what it is today, and we need the community’s help to make it what it needs to be tomorrow,” said Kim Gerrish, executive director of Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center. “We need more room for growth and expansion of services. So, in search of our new space we found a forever home where we can realize our Vision in one Center to provide all cancer patients with the resources they need.”
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties make up one of the largest geographical areas in the country. And yet, there is no cancer resource center serving the more than 22,400 cancer patients in the region. Michelle’s Place recognizes the need and now has the capacity to help.
If you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with cancer, contact a patient navigator at (951) 699-5455. For more information on services available, visit the Center’s updated website: www.michellesplace.org.