Families from across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, who need to travel to Victoria for medical care, are now one step closer to a home away from home as construction began today on Jeneece Place.

When complete later this year, the approximately 975-square-metre (10,500-square-foot) Jeneece Place will provide accommodation for families who need to travel to Victoria for care at Victoria General Hospital, the Queen Alexandra Centre or for specialist appointments and lab tests.

Jeneece Place will be located just a two-minute walk from the Victoria General Hospital's front entrance and will have eight bedrooms, a common kitchen, dining and living rooms, as well as on-site laundry and a play room for kids.

Jeneece Place is the dream of Victoria teenager Jeneece Edroff, who was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at the age of three. Jeneece's vision was to build a temporary home where families can stay together when one of their members needs medical services in Victoria.

In June 2010, the Province and the Vancouver Island Health Authority announced the long-term allocation of about one-third of a hectare (three-quarters of an acre) of land adjacent to Victoria General Hospital as the future site of Jeneece Place.

With a value of approximately $400,000, the allocation of this land has enabled the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children to dedicate the money raised directly toward the building of the new facility and its operational needs.

The Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children is raising $5.5 million to build and operate Jeneece Place. Other major contributors to Jeneece Place include TELUS and the Norgaard Foundation, as well as local individuals and organizations.

Quick Facts»

• Jeneece Place is a project of the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children, which supports the physical, mental and social well-being of children, youth and families primarily on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.
• In 2010, Jeneece Edroff became the youngest person ever to be awarded the Order of British Columbia.
• Jeneece is known to many on Vancouver Island as "the Penny Girl" for her outstanding efforts at fundraising and her spirit of generosity.
• Through her penny drive, Jeneece has raised over $1.5 million to help children throughout B.C.

Learn more»

• Information on Jeneece Place and Jeneece Edroff (queenalexandra.org)