Abbeyfield USA
 Whilst in the USA attending a fundraising course in the early 1990s, Richard Biddlecombe, then General Secretary of Abbeyfield International, met Dennis Sonnenberg, the Executive Officer of The British Home at Brookfield, Illinois. Dennis was intrigued by the Abbeyfield concept. He quickly recognised that an Abbeyfield house would complement the other forms of elderly care provided by The British Home. Abbeyfield USA was created in 1994 to facilitate development of an Abbeyfield house under the protecting 'umbrella' of The British Home. The house, which was opened in 1995, accommodates five residents.
In April 2002, the founder of the Abbeyfield movement, Richard Carr-Gomm and his wife, Susan, visited the house and met residents, the housekeeper and representatives of Abbeyfield USA.
Sadly, the house had to close in 2004, as it was no longer viable. Nevertheless a new project led by Charlie and Mary Butzow is underway, to establish a house in the community of St Joseph's in Illinois.
Additionally, AI have engaged upon a major initiative 'The Tuck Project' to consider how the Abbeyfield concept might be launched in 'small town America', and it is hoped that in the long term, Abbeyfield will have re-established the need in the USA and be opening a number of new houses, possibly in partnership with other agencies. See separate section 'About Us' / Current projects.
For further information contact:
Charlie Butzow, 301 Spring Circle, Urbana, Illinois 61802
Tel: (1) 708 485 0135 Fax: (1) 708 485 0147
e-mail: cebutzow@pdnt.com
For further information on Tuck, contact:
Richard Seaman
Executive Director, Abbeyfield International
53, Victoria Street
St Albans, Herts
United Kingdom AL1 3UW
Tel 0044 (0) 1727 734071
e-mail: ai@abbeyfield.com
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