Building Hope: Supporting Dementia Education and Care in Marion County
It started with one family’s experience of a gap in care and a husband’s determination that no one else should face that gap alone.
Today, the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center stands on the Helen “Mimi” Walker Campus at Hospice of Marion County in Ocala, the first dedicated dementia education facility in Marion County and only the second of its kind in the nation. The Building Hope campaign made it possible.
The center is open. The programs are running. And now, your continued support keeps it growing.
What Your Gift Made Possible
The Building Hope campaign raised approximately $2 million from community donors and secured a $750,000 Florida legislative appropriation, bringing a long-imagined vision to life.
Because of donor investment, Marion County now has:
- A dedicated home for free dementia education and community training
- Memory Cafes where caregivers and loved ones find connection and respite
- Immersive Virtual Dementia Tour experiences that build real empathy
- Dedicated first responder training rooms and curriculum
- Caregiver workshops and support groups
- A community resource hub for navigating dementia care
“When I heard about this center, I knew that they have it all figured out. All they need now is some fuel.” — Lilly Nelson Maxwell, Board Member, Hospice of Marion County Foundation
The Story Behind the Center
Nancy Renyhart spent nine years living with Alzheimer’s disease. Her husband John was her full-time caregiver, and he watched as the healthcare system struggled to support them between clinical thresholds. After Nancy’s passing in 2020, John established an endowment in her memory through Hospice of Marion County.
“I wanted to create a legacy, and I recognized a need.” — John Renyhart
John’s vision has been embraced and carried forward by his wife Diane, who understands firsthand that dementia touches nearly every family and that the need for education and support only continues to grow.
The Building Hope campaign turned that personal vision into a permanent community resource.
The Difference This Investment Is Already Making
The impact of the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program, now housed in its permanent home, is measurable and real.
“The care first responders can provide for people with dementia is so much better now than it was before.” — Captain Jesse Blaire, Ocala Fire Rescue
More than 150 Marion County firefighters have already been trained through the program. With the new center, that reach expands dramatically.
“I’m still learning, but it’s helped me understand what someone with dementia is going through.” — George Hanst, caregiver and program participant
“This commitment by Empath Hospice of Marion County is what’s going to drive the solution.” — Ken Daley, Board Leader and Community Advocate
For caregivers like George, the program has not just provided information. It has provided confidence, connection, and the knowledge that they are not walking this journey alone.
Why Your Continued Support Matters
The building is built. The center is open. And the work is just beginning.
Marion County has approximately 14,000 residents living with dementia today, and that number continues to grow. Every year, new families face a diagnosis without knowing where to turn. Every year, first responders encounter dementia-related calls without adequate training. Every year, caregivers reach a point of exhaustion that better education and support could help prevent.
Your ongoing gift to the Building Hope campaign sustains free programming for every one of those families, keeps the center staffed and growing, and helps Empath Health expand dementia education across our communities.
This is not a building campaign anymore. It is a community commitment. And it depends on donors like you.
Ways to Support Building Hope
- Make a donation of any size to sustain free dementia programs and services
- Engrave a brick in memory or in honor of a loved one
- Include Hospice of Marion County Foundation in your estate plans
- Volunteer with the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program
- Share your dementia story or caregiver experience
- Take a tour of the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center
Stacey Perlmutter, Philanthropy Manager Hospice of Marion County Foundation SPerlmutter@EmpathHealth.org
Call Stacey at (352) 857-7894
Frequently Asked Questions About the Building Hope Campaign
Is Building Hope still accepting donations now that the center is open?
Yes. Building Hope is an ongoing campaign that now supports the center’s programming, staffing, and operations. Your gift helps ensure that free dementia education and caregiver support remain available to every family in Marion County who needs them.
How is the Building Hope campaign connected to the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program?
The Building Hope campaign funded the construction of the Empath Dementia Education and Care Center, the permanent home of the Nancy Renyhart Dementia Education Program. Ongoing donations sustain the program and its free community offerings.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Yes. Gifts to the Building Hope campaign are tax deductible as allowed by law. Hospice of Marion County Foundation is a registered non-profit organization.
How can I include Hospice of Marion County Foundation in my estate plans?
Contact Stacey Perlmutter, Philanthropy Manager, at SPerlmutter@EmpathHealth.org or (352) 857-7894 to discuss planned giving options.
Can I donate in memory or in honor of someone?
Yes. You can engrave a brick in memory or in honor of a loved one as part of your gift. Contact Stacey Perlmutter for details.
Together, We Will Keep Building Hope
The Empath Dementia Education and Care Center stands because this community believed in it. Your continued support ensures that what was built with hope continues to grow with purpose, for every family in Marion County who needs it today and every family who will need it tomorrow.