[Kingston, ON] – On Feb. 26, 2025, Providence Care and University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) officials, local politicians, and community donors officially cut the ribbon and unveiled the name AB Smith Homestead House for Kingston’s first hospice.
Providence Care’s AB Smith Homestead House, located at 152 Phillips Street, fulfills a long-held community dream to expand end-of-life palliative care services in the region.
“For more than a decade, our community has worked tirelessly to bring a dedicated hospice house to Kingston,” says Krista Wells Pearce Providence Care Vice President, Corporate Services and Executive Director, Hospice. “Today is a testament to the collective passion and generosity of so many individuals who believe in the importance of compassionate, dignified end-of-life care.”
The new 10-bed AB Smith Homestead House is set to welcome its first patients in mid-March. The house will provide 24-hour, compassionate care for individuals during end-of-life in a home-like environment. It features private suites with patios, family gathering spaces, a spiritual room and a large kitchen to foster a sense of home and community.
“This hospice house has been constructed and designed as a place of comfort and peace,” says Cathy Szabo, Providence Care President and CEO. “Here, individuals and their loved ones will find support, connection, and compassionate care in their final days. This project would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of donors through UHKF, who have made this vision a reality.”
The project totaled $12.9 million. The Ontario Ministry of Health funded 14 per cent of the project and an incredible $11.1 million was raised through local donations.
“This hospice house belongs to our community,” says Peter Kingston Campaign Cabinet Chair, who led fundraising for this project for more than a decade. “It stands as a symbol of our shared commitment to caring for one another at every stage of life. We are incredibly proud to celebrate the end of construction and unveil the name of our region’s new hospice house—a service that will become a vital resource for so many in our community.”
The AB Smith Homestead House is named in honour of the late Arthur Britton (Brit) Smith, and Homestead Land Holdings Limited, the company he founded in 1954. Their outstanding generosity made this hospice house possible.
“Brit Smith’s philanthropy is transforming health-care for the people of southeastern Ontario,” says Marc Varin, Providence Care Board of Directors Chair. “His legacy will be felt for generations to come within our community. He was a champion of redevelopment and a proud supporter of Providence Care and the legacy of our Founders, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. We are so grateful.”
Background
In April 2022, Hospice Kingston voluntarily integrated with Providence Care. Providence Care’s AB Smith Homestead House will complement the current continuum of high-quality, compassionate palliative care that includes community hospice visiting and support programs, subacute palliative care at Providence Care Hospital and specialist palliative care consultation throughout the organization. The integration has enhanced the delivery of compassionate, community-based end-of-life care and ensures the continued growth of palliative care services in the region.
