The Blessed Father Michał Sopoćko Respite Foundation operates a day care facility for chronically ill adults at Świętojańska Street in Białystok, providing professional care, a warm meal, and companionship for roughly 10 participants daily, Kurier Poranny reported.
Daily Care for Chronic Patients
The facility runs from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, offering relief to families who care for relatives needing constant support. Many participants struggle to communicate with their surroundings due to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and failed to find placements in other institutions. Dr. Tadeusz Borowski-Beszta, a foundation co-founder with years of experience at the Hospicjum Dom Opatrzności Bożej, noted that societal aging drives up local demand. Relatives transport participants to the center, though some families lack that capability.
Building Plans at Słonimska Street
Because the Świętojańska space is too small, the foundation requested the lease of an empty municipal building at Słonimskiej 8. Before World War II, the property housed Brother associations, followed by a seminary associated with Father Michał Sopoćko, and later an orphanage. Most recently, it accommodated municipal departments and a branch of the “Jedynka” care and educational facility. The building sat empty while awaiting historical monument status from the provincial conservator.
According to Dr. Borowski-Beszta, the matter waited four months for a decision from the conservator. We have no influence on that. This is neither our decision nor the municipal office’s decision,
he said, adding that the foundation wants to preserve the historic character of the property and establish a care home there. Private care facilities around Białystok charge up to 7,000 Polish zlotys per month, pricing out many older residents.
Financial Hurdles and Renovation Reality
Białystok Marek Masalski stated that the foundation must prove its financial capabilities because the renovation will prove costly. Intruders have illegally visited the vacant property and damaged interior equipment. The foundation intends to fund the renovation entirely through public donations, matching the approach used previously to construct the hospice.
We do not count on other sources. We built the hospice from public generosity, out of nothing. Neither the state, nor the local government, nor the European Union helped us,
Dr. Borowski-Beszta said. We tried to get EU funds, but it didn’t work out. We will go down the same path now.
He added that winter construction will prove difficult since the building stood empty and suffered severe vandalism for a long time.
Staffing Challenges and Community Support
Beyond repairing the physical structure, assembling a qualified team presents the primary obstacle for the new center. The point is not just the building itself, but selecting the right staff. This is a problem, because it cannot be just formal care. It must rather be care for the wards,
Dr. Borowski-Beszta explained.
Four private founders established the foundation using their own funds. Residents wishing to support the Słonimskiej 8 project can direct donations to bank account number 30 7190 0007 1900 0337 8804 0001 with the transfer title Donation for statutory purposes of the WYTCHNIENIE Foundation named after Blessed Father Michał Sopoćko
.