Lending Hands will close by July 30

Lending Hands, Washington County’s only adult day provider, will close its doors effective July 30 at the latest, officials with Halcyon House announced Friday.

Halcyon House’s home health care offerings, operated out of the Lending Hands location, will continue to operate without changes.

“The decision to close Lending Hands was a difficult one; when we were able to reopen last year following the state-mandated closure due to COVID, we worked for several months to increase revenue and decrease expenses with the intent of remaining open,” Chris Marshall, executive director of Halcyon

House, said. “We sought a partnership as well, but that unfortunately did not come to fruition.”

Lending Hands and other adult day centers work to ensure individuals who need assistance and involvement during the day enjoy a sense of independence while receiving support and encouragement.

Often, participants live with family members and visit the center while their loved ones are at work. Lending Hands has long been a part of the Washington County care community, and Marshall acknowledged that the absence of the center will leave a void.

She said that she hopes that health care needs that were being met by Lending Hands can continue to be met by Home Health services or other local resources.

“We remain committed to Washington County residents who have relied on us, and we will do all we can to help them find alternate care and services,” Marshall said. “We deeply appreciate the trust our participants and families have placed in us over the years and have been honored to serve each one.”

Halcyon House is also working to find alternate employment for the team members affected by the closure, Marshall added.

Lending Hands opened in a local church basement with two participants in 1992. The program expanded over the years, and moved in 2007 to a new 4,500-square-foot building on the west edge of Washington.

Funding for the new building came from a combination of a Community Development Block Grant and local donors. The center was acquired by WesleyLife in 2011, which allowed WesleyLife to step into home- and community-based services in Washington.