About Friends of Our Island Home
we support the staff and residents with resources to enhance the care of residents
The Friends of Our Island Home (FoOIH) is an organization of children, grandchildren, spouses, community members and friends whose purpose is to enrich the daily lives of Our Island Home residents. We are anchored in the principles of Compassion, Community, Integrity, and Care for Nantucket’s frail elders.
Our vision is to bring the outside community inside to the residents as appropriate and to foster relationships with individual residents and staff, benefitting everyone involved with Our Island Home.
To that end, we will work with the staff to enhance the existing programs while raising and administering donations—in time, energy, and dollars—to provide activities that would otherwise be unavailable.
We believe every resident deserves the best possible care, and we work to provide the activities and services that make their home special.
“Our Board members are well respected and active in our community”
The makeup is dynamic and includes professionals with knowledge and experience working with the senior population as well as family of present and past residents of OIH. We have a strong interest in the well-being of the residents and know that there is much that we can do to enhance their daily lives.
Our Impact
Where we will help
Friends of Our Island Home was started as a way to gift/donate directly to programs at the facility that touch the residents. As a municipally owned nursing home, Nantucket’s Board of Selectmen is the governing body overseeing the facility, along with the the rest of Nantucket Town and County funded by tax dollars. Our Island Home is just that, a home. Although the standard of care for the residents is not compromised, municipal budgets often don’t cover the activities that mean the most to those in a residential skilled nursing program. FoOIH as a private, non-profit entity, can raise funds and pay directly for goods and services that are first requested by department heads, residents, family members etc. and then approved by the administrator. We modeled our approach to the successful Friends of the Nantucket Public Schools – who successfully help students and teachers beyond what the school system can provide.
Annual XMas Extras
Gifts for the residents of items that their caregivers know will benefit them
Mother and Father’s Day recognition
Sometimes a corsage or boutonniere does wonder.
Nantucket Wheelers
Nantucket Wheelers, founded by Darcy Creech, Visit the Nantucket Wheeler’s website to learn more.
Live Music and Entertainment
Hosted on-site, FOIH currently sponsors at least one performance per month of resident approved and appreciated entertainment
Art Lessons
Kathy Duncome, an island artist and owner of Made on Nantucket, teaches art at OIH. FoOIH sponsors a second class to allow more residents to enjoy this popular program.
Grounds Beautification
We are coordinating an effort to resurface and refurnish the patio for all to enjoy. And to thank and support those who have kindly and beautifully maintained the grounds.