Nonprofit Mindhaven and Endeavor Health plan a 10,000-square-foot daytime center for people with memory loss at 820 Davis St. in downtown Evanston.
The project would combine clinical care, recreational therapies and caregiver support under one roof, as reported by Patch. Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2027, with a targeted opening in early 2028.
The center would not be a residential facility. Mindhaven describes itself as a nonprofit focused on providing support for patients and their care partners alongside clinical care at a community-oriented location in Evanston.
The planned space would include an indoor garden with creative seating nooks, a public café and multipurpose areas for activities and events, according to the organizations. An on-site Endeavor Health Memory Center would provide diagnostic screening and specialized clinical services. Endeavor Health clinicians are expected to see patients five days per week in three exam suites and two testing rooms.
"As a neurologist, I see firsthand how navigating a diagnosis can isolate patients and families," said Dr. Elizabeth Harris, a neurologist at Endeavor Health and Mindhaven's medical director, in a statement. Harris said integrating clinical expertise with a community-centered environment can help remove traditional barriers to care and address patients' medical, emotional and social needs at the same time.
The project is backed by the John D. Brubaker Family Foundation, which supports organizations working to strengthen Northern Illinois communities. Mindhaven honors the legacy of John D. "Jake" Brubaker, a Rockford businessman and philanthropist who died in 2020 from complications related to Alzheimer's disease, according to the organization's website. Funding for the center will come from the foundation along with private philanthropy, Patch reported.
Erin Beto, a Mindhaven board member and Brubaker's granddaughter, said in a statement that the family gained firsthand understanding of the difficulties facing memory loss patients and their loved ones during Jake's illness. Beto said those challenges range from a lack of emotional support for caregivers to gaps in services that prevent a holistic continuum of patient care. She said Mindhaven aims to offer continuity and support within a broader caring community.
The project announcements reviewed did not specify the status of city permits or zoning approvals, the foundation’s financial commitment or the overall project budget.
