History
The Jerry Hartman Residence
The Early Years
 Christa
House began in 1994 with the dream of religious and laywomen
to establish a home for poor women who were dying of AIDS.
Long Island, with its close proximity to New York City, has
one of the fastest growing HIV/AIDS populations of any area
in the United States. Those with little or no financial resources
and no one willing or able to care for them as the end of
life approached were frequently kept in hospitals or relegated
to the few nursing home beds available.
Over time the purpose of the Christa House Project expanded
to include compassionate care for all of the dying, with particular preference for those poor dying of AIDS.
In 1996 Christa House was incorporated as a not-for-profit
in New York State. Shortly thereafter, we received an offer
of land at Our Lady of Grace Parish in West Babylon, NY. Early
in 1997, Msgr. Thomas Hartman, whose brother Jerry
had died of AIDS in the summer of 1995, joined the Christa
House Project. Through Christa House, Msgr. Hartman welcomed
the opportunity to assist those who were dying of AIDS and
were unable to care for themselves.
A two-tiered corporate structure was formed and in February 1997 the first Corporate Members of Christa House, Inc. adopted
the By-laws and approved the appointment of a Board
of Trustees, which met for the first time in April 1997.
Tax exempt status 501(c)3 was granted through affiliation
with the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY.
Construction of the Jerry Hartman Residence began in January
1998. The architectural plan incorporated living space for
twelve of the dying poor and a residence for caregivers, the
"family" presence in the house. Following the dedication
of Christa House in December 1998, the first resident was
accepted on February 4, 1999 and the Christa House Community
was born.
 The
staff and volunteers of Christa House accompany each resident
in love and compassion to the end. Our program of care is
based on the following principals:
- Because all life is a sharing in God's life, it is sacred
and to be cherished until its natural end.
- Every human being has a right to an environment free from
abuse and deprivation.
- A person's right to decent and loving care particularly
at life's end can and should be met by the community.
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