Founder of Milwaukee's Family House is Chapman Executive in Residence at Carthage

By Bill Kurtz, Carthage College

More than 20 years ago, Cordelia Taylor was a nursing home administrator who thought there might be better ways to serve the elderly. So Mrs. Taylor, who is also a registered nurse, converted her former home in Milwaukee into The Family House, a new care facility for senior citizens and disabled people in need of assistance.

The Family House admits residents regardless of ability to pay, and receives most of its support from individuals, churches and foundations, including the Bradley Foundation, along with private donations.

The Family House has grown to include a city block of 17 rehabilitated homes, and is home to 58 residents. Most of its 51 employees live nearby. A food pantry, clothing bank and medical clinic have been established, and there are specialized programs for children, single mothers and others. The Family House has been featured on Oprah and Today, and in Reader's Digest.

Milwaukee's Family House offers residential long-term care in a home-like setting. Six individual dwellings share a rear patio, connecting all of the houses and providing a family environment to residents.

Mrs. Taylor visited Carthage Dec. 6-7 to discuss her career as a grassroots social service provider. She spent two days on campus under the auspices of the Chapman Executive in Residence program. She visited classes and a Students in Free Enterprise luncheon, and spoke at a Chapel program.

"I ran a large nursing home, and I saw a lot of things," Mrs. Taylor said, adding that nursing home policies she didn't care for were mostly "little bitty things."

"What they wanted me to do was not necessarily what was best for the people who lived there," she recalled. "When you get older, little bitty things can make or break your day."

A few things she didn't like were mandatory wake-up times, meal times that weren't long enough, and employees opening residents' drawers without asking.

"That can be devastating to a person," Mrs. Taylor said. "Their age and where they live does not take away from their rights as a person. We knock when we go to their rooms."

In 2007, AARP Magazine honored Mrs. Taylor as a recipient of its Inspire Award. Other honorees that year included actor Robert DeNiro, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, and college basketball coach Jim Larranga.

"The block functions as a powerful force for community revitalization," the magazine observed, "providing disabled and elderly people with a place to live, employing local residents, and even offering after-school programs for neighborhood kids."

In her speech, Mrs. Taylor said the role of The Family House "is not just to take care of seniors, but to meet the needs of the community."

From left, Pastor Harvard Stephens, Mrs. Taylor, and Prof. Art Cyr

"Cordelia is one of the most successful entrepreneurs I've ever been around," said Arthur Cyr, director of the A.W. Clausen Center for World Business, who introduced Mrs. Taylor.

Mrs. Taylor said The Family House rejects government support, due to a desire to operate on a faith-based basis. Although she said The Family House has been unable to "keep up with the little things like I used to," due to the economy, she said ground is scheduled to be broken in March for 40 assisted-living units.

"I ask very well, and usually get what we need," she quipped.

In conjunction with Mrs. Taylor's visit, members of SIFE will collect food, clothing and toys, especially canned goods and warm coats for children, to be distributed at The Family House. For more information on this drive, contact Prof. David Schlichting at (262) 551-5836, or Deborah Usinger at (262) 551-5833.