LONGMEADOW – JGS Lifecare celebrated the completion of its new 24,000-square-foot Sosin Center for Rehabilitation and Michael’s Café on Nov. 3. More than 100 people, including staff, residents, senior administrators, business leaders, as well as state and local officials attended the ceremony.

The rehabilitation center is named in honor of George Sosin, a JGS volunteer, former resident, and supporter who left $3 million to JGS Lifecare to benefit the center after he passed away several years ago, according to JGS. The center consists of two households that are each designed to accommodate 12 short-term residents. Physical, occupational, and speech rehabilitation also takes place at the center, which is designed to feel like home. The center has 24 private rooms with full baths and each home also includes a living room, dining room, den, porch, and kitchen.

JGS Lifecare also partnered with the Green House Project – a small house model of care that has been proven to reduce medication use and re-hospitalizations, while improving socialization for elders.

“Currently, more than 64 percent of all short-stay residents at JGS Lifecare are successfully discharged to the community, which is more than 10 percent above the national average,” Martin Baicker, president and CEO of JGS Lifecare, said. “With the addition of the Sosin Center, we expect those numbers to be even stronger.”

Michael’s Café, named in honor of past JGS Lifecare Board Chair Michael Frankel, is a kosher café that connects the Leavitt Family Jewish Home to the new Sosin center.

JGS Lifecare Board of Directors Chair Robert Baevsky said the groundbreaking ceremony for the new center and café took place in May.

 “The grand opening ceremony [Nov. 3] actually marks the completion of phase one of Project Transformation,” he explained. “It is more than what you see before you today. In addition to having completed the construction of the Sosin Center and Michael’s Café, we have also undertaken enhancements to the Leavitt Family Jewish Home, completed significant upgrades at Ruth’s House, and are well on our way to completing renovations over at Genesis House.”

According to JGS Lifecare, Project Transformation is a $11 million capital campaign in which 150 supporters have donated $8 million thus far. Phase Two of the campaign would include renovating two 40-bed wings of the Leavitt Family Jewish Home to include a model similar to Green House. Wernick Adult Day Health Care would be relocated and expanded to include a specialized Alzheimer’s program.

Congressman Richard Neal said he believes the challenge of any community is making sure individuals aren’t abandoned or left behind.

“You’ve taken a giant step here today,” he added. “When you consider how important long-term insurance might be to the national discussion. These are all rich considerations that we have in front of us today. I think as we highlight this achievement we understand that there’s still a very important way to go and we’re reminded of the continued effort and challenge of rolling the boulder back up the hill every day.”

Other attendees included Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane, Selectman Richard Foster, Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, director of Spiritual Life at JGS, Sister Mary Caritas, vice president of Sisters of Providence, as well as additional JGS and project officials.

An official grand opening for the Sosin Center is expected to take place before the end of the year, pending completion of all regulatory requirements, according to JGS.