A $350,000 grant from the Connelly Foundation of West Conshohocken will help the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill renovate their St. Joseph Villa in Flourtown, the home for the congregation’s retired and ill sisters, writes Matthew Gambino for Catholic Philly.

With the ongoing transition of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to a community based home-like model, the Sisters have decided to use the grant to align St. Joseph Villa with this approach.

The renovation project will create 12 neighborhoods in the facility that will include community spaces to encourage residents to spend more time with each other instead of in their rooms.

These spaces will include a country kitchen, dining area and a living room all designed to foster greater interaction.

The entire project will cost around $25 million as due to the home’s age, many of its features need to be replaced. The project is also looking to the future as more members join the community.

“Our goal is to create an environment of home/community in which our residents want to live and, by having the supportive services they need, will continue to live life to the full,” said Sister Dorothy.

Read more about the planned renovations at Catholic Philly by clicking here.