Our History

2018: Open for Kids & Families

The dream of Crescent Cove came true when the doors opened in May 2018 to the first children's respite and hospice home in the Midwest, and the third in the U.S.

Opened 24/7 beginning November 1, 2018 with a full roster of nursing staff.
The first family stayed at the Respite & Hospice Home for Kids in May 2018.
An on-call medical director and several RNs, CNAs and home health aides were added to the team at Crescent Cove to care for our kids at the Respite & Hospice Home for Kids.
Our petition to the State of Minnesota and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was approved in March 2018 to allow for families in Minnesota whose children access Medicaid waivers to utilize those waivers for respite care at Crescent Cove. This is the beginning of an innovative reimbursement model for Crescent Cove, and hopefully future children's hospices around the country.

2017: Where we’re going

Crescent Cove closed on the purchase of the existing building located at 4201 58th Ave N in Brooklyn Center and began renovations in July 2017.
A week of open houses was held in November to invite the public to see the updated facility that would be called the Crescent Cove Respite & Hospice Home for Kids.
The staff of Crescent Cove grows from two part-time employees to two full-time employees and four part-time employees.

2009-2016: Where we’ve been

2016 Updates: Spreading the Mission

Crescent Cove served 75 families in Minnesota caring for a child or children with a shortened life-expectancy.
In late 2016, we learned of the North Memorial Residential Hospice Home as a potential location. In August 2016, while Crescent Cove was on WCCO-TV receiving a $50,000 grant from the Minnesota Wild Foundation, a volunteer from North Memorial heard our mission and reached out to Katie with news that the hospital was closing and selling the existing adult hospice home. In October 2016, Crescent Cove signed a purchase agreement with North Memorial for the land at 4201 58th Ave N in Brooklyn Center.
Most notably in 2016, Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota signed into legislation that hospice care can be provided for kids and young adults. Learn more
A demand analysis to determine the viability of this type of facility was completed by Kurt Salmon, a local consulting firm. At the time, many meetings were held with Edgcumbe Presbyterian Church as a possible land location for building a facility.

2015 Updates: Capital Campaign in Swing

Crescent Cove provided support to 30 families caring for a child or children with a shortened life-expectancy.
An advocacy plan was formulated to pass legislation that would allow Crescent Cove to be a licensed pediatric hospice home.
Crescent Cove partners with Faith's Lodge to provide weekend stays for families receiving integrative therapies and support.
RSP Architects was selected as the architect on record for envisioning the Crescent Cove Home.
Crescent Cove attended many conferences throughout the year to continue spreading the mission and to increase fundraising in order to fulfill the dream.

2014 Milestones: Building Our Partnerships

In 2014, Crescent Cove began covering the cost for families to receive some of these services from designated professionals in the pediatric healthcare field.
The Crescent Cove Board of Directors grows with new members.
Hosted the 2nd annual Home Plate Gala: Building the Vision and raised $140,000 thanks to the support of partners, the Minnesota Twins and St. Croix Hospice.
Multiple fundraising events were also held throughout the community.

2013 Milestone: Getting Serious About Fundraising

Crescent Cove begins to solicit local foundations and organizations in order to raise funds for support of the home.
Continued discussions with the city of Chaska and Ridgeview as a potential location.
Hosted the first annual Crescent Cove Day at Target Field with the Twins.
Hosted the first Home Plate Gala which introduced the Harmon Killebrew Hospice Home for Kids Fund.

2012 Milestones: Finding Advisors

Crescent Cove begins gaining press and recognition in the community through local news stories and being the beneficiary of multiple events throughout the year.
Discussions begin with the city of Chaska and Ridgeview Medical Center to build on the land next to Ridgeview's residential adult hospice home.

2011 Milestones: Building the Vision

The Crescent Cove team and Board of Directors build a business plan, including a needs assessment and letters of support.
Strategic planning sessions were held to refine the mission, re-name the organization from Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota to Crescent Cove.
Members of the Crescent Cove team traveled to the UK to visit existing children's hospice homes.

2010: Becoming a Nonprofit

Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota gains 501(c)3 status from the IRS as an official non-profit organization.
A new web site was launched and news was shared at local and national conferences.
Strategic and business planning begins!

2009: The Beginning

After confirming the need for a children's respite and hospice home was great by visiting with local hospitals and providers, founder Katie Lindenfelser began the task of officially incorporating Children's Lighthouse of Minnesota as a non-profit organization.