HOME AWAY FROM HOME

North Chicago welcomes the 100th Fisher House, bringing comfort to families of military service members and veterans receiving medical treatment.

The North Shore celebrates a significant milestone this month with the opening of the 100th Fisher House, marking only the second such facility in Illinois following the one that opened in 2010 at the Hines VA in west suburban Chicago. This newest Fisher House will be situated at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, with a formal dedication ceremony scheduled for July 29.

Similar to Ronald McDonald House, which supports families of children receiving medical treatment, Fisher Houses provide complimentary accommodations for military and veteran families during medical crises. These homes are strategically located near VA and military hospitals.

“We are very excited to open the 100th Fisher House,” says Michelle Horn, Vice President of Communications at Fisher House Foundation. “Fisher House Foundation has been around for about 30 years, and reaching 100 is a huge milestone.”

The new facility will accommodate up to 16 families, offering shared amenities including a common kitchen, laundry facilities, dining room, and inviting living space. At full capacity, Fisher Houses save military and veteran families more than $1.3 million annually, according to Horn.

Since the first Fisher House opened in 1990, the facilities have evolved to include wheelchair accessibility and meet ADA compliance standards—improvements made possible through the leadership of Ken Fisher, chairman and CEO of Fisher House Foundation. While architectural enhancements have been implemented over the years, the mission and spirit remain unchanged.

“Every time you walk into a Fisher House, you feel this great amount of love,” Horn explains. “Fisher Houses are truly a home away from home.”

Families arrive at Fisher Houses during vulnerable moments in their lives, creating natural communities of support. “The Fisher House is not just a place to sleep at night,” Horn adds. “It ends up being a place where people can give back and lean on each other.”

The houses are aesthetically beautiful, featuring high-quality furnishings, linens, and thoughtful décor. The impact on families can be profound. Horn shares the story of Felicia, whose father, a WWII veteran, stayed at a Fisher House until his final days. “Families like Felicia’s had the chance to focus 100 percent on care, which relieved stressors that come from being in a hospital,” she says.

This Fisher House addresses a significant need in the North Shore area.

“We couldn’t think of a better place,” Horn explains. “The Midwest reaches many veterans and military families. The demand in the North Shore was huge.”

Local support has been instrumental, including organizations like Friends of the Fisher House Illinois and community leaders such as Cristina Lowe, whose family military service—including her WWII veteran father and brothers—inspires her advocacy.

“I want to find a way to give and volunteer for the Fisher Houses,” Lowe says. “It’s a very exciting project.”

Horn concludes with confidence: “We are certain this Fisher House will maintain high occupancy and make a meaningful difference for veteran and military families.”

For more information about Fisher House, contact Cristina Lowe at [email protected] or call 224-231-8469.