Rogerson Communities today announced the award of a $600,000 grant from the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation in support of the organization’s redevelopment of its Rogerson House memory care facility in Jamaica Plain. 

The award, one of several that Rogerson has garnered this year in support of the project, will be directed toward the construction of a new six-story building with 66 new memory care units, in addition to 41 new affordable independent living apartments for older adults, to replace the existing Rogerson House building on site. The new building will include space for the organization’s memory care social day program and a Fitness FIRST center, and feature more than 20,000 square feet of outdoor space, including four garden areas, portions of which will be publicly accessible. 

Rogerson is modernizing and expanding its flagship community to continue delivering the compassionate care the organization is known for in the face of historic challenges. By 2030, nearly two million Massachusetts residents will be over the age of 60, and more than half of them will lack the resources they need for housing and care. At the same time, dementia rates continue to rise—more than 150,000 people in the Commonwealth struggle with it, a number that’s expected to double by 2060.  

“Philanthropic partners like the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation are crucial to the success of projects like this,” said Rogerson President and CEO Walter Ramos. “We’re both grateful for the support and encouraged by the commitment it signifies to caring for older adults in a time of unprecedented need.” 

“The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation is honored to participate in this worthy cause,” said Ronald Brown, Chair of the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation. “This state-of-the-art facility will be much more than bricks and mortar; it will be infused with the love and care of the men and women creating this structure.  The Rogerson Communities’ mission transcends merely supporting a needy and deserving population; it also strives to enhance each individual’s health, dignity, self-respect, and individuality.”     

Over the past six months, the project has achieved significant forward momentum, including approval from the Boston Planning and Development Agency, unanimous approval of Boston’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and $3 million in funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing. The Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation’s gift will bring the total amount of philanthropic support of this project to more than $2 million.