Hart Comfort House of Allegany County

Comfort House of Allegany County, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation known as Hart Comfort House, offers free comfort care for those in their last three months of a terminal illness.

Comfort care honors the well-being of every person and respects the dignity of human life.

Hart Comfort House, designed to be a welcoming and comforting place, is an alternative to the hospital or a nursing home when a person can no longer be looked after in his or her own home.

Hart Comfort House’s staff and trained volunteers are able to care for two residents at a time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They provide warm and compassionate care and support, not only to residents, but also to residents’ families and friends.

Hart Comfort House serves people living in Allegany County, but may also consider residents from neighboring counties. Admission to Hart Comfort House is based solely on need, regardless of age, sex, race religion or sexual orientation.

Each case is evaluated carefully and priority is given to people who have the greatest need, based upon their medical situation and the feasibility of care giving at home.

The Hart Comfort House residence is located at 141 East State Street, Wellsville, NY; the home was donated by the family of Mary Ellen and Gerald Hart and has since been fully renovated and adapted. Hart Comfort House opened on January 1, 2012.

From Sharon Tyrell - Volunteer Coordinator

All of our life experiences lead us to be exactly where we are meant to be. For me, having the opportunity to work with our volunteers and residents is a privilege.

Most of my professional career has been in the setting of human resources, working with employees and supervisors, assisting them by giving them tools to bring out the best in themselves and each other.

In 2008, I was by my father’s side when he died at home. This experience had a profound impact on me, leading me to want to be present for others as they go through this sacred process.

Being able to support our volunteers as they support our residents and their families is a place where I can share my gifts and experience. I am grateful that Hart Comfort House fills this need in the community and that I can play a small part in providing this comfort.

I am the lucky mother of two wonderful teenagers and have lived in Alfred since 2004. Although I was raised in central New York, I have come to call Allegany County home and look forward to continuing my work with the Hart Comfort House.

I would love to share our program with you if you are interested in volunteering. There are so many ways for each person to give: resident care, companionship, gardening, housekeeping, fund raising, and spreading the word about the Hart Comfort House — all you need is the desire to give of yourself. You will find you get as much, if not more, in return.