Fresno's Terry's House Celebrates 15 Years of Serving Families of Hospital Patients

The 'home away from home' for families facing critical medical situations has provided comfort and support since 2011.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Terry's House, a 17,000 square-foot facility in downtown Fresno, California, is celebrating 15 years of providing a 'home away from home' for families of hospital patients facing critical and life-threatening injuries and illnesses. The home, named after Terry Richards who was seriously injured as a child, features 20 private guest rooms and other amenities to support families during difficult times. To mark the anniversary, a bust of Terry Richards was unveiled at the main entrance.

Why it matters

Terry's House fills an important need in the community by offering a comfortable and affordable place for families to stay while their loved ones receive critical medical care. This allows them to be close by and provide support during challenging times, rather than having to travel long distances or find other temporary housing options.

The details

Terry's House was created by Community Regional Medical Center to help families in situations similar to that of Terry Richards, who had to travel nearly 80 miles away for nearly 5 months while he recovered from a serious car accident as a child. The 17,000 square-foot, two-story home features 20 private guest rooms, common areas, and other amenities to support families. While the home currently has a full house and waitlist, the plan is for it to continue growing alongside the hospital to meet the increasing demand for its services.

  • Terry's House opened in 2011.
  • The 15th anniversary celebration took place on February 18, 2026.

The players

Terry Richards

The namesake of Terry's House, who was seriously injured in a car accident as a child.

Community Regional Medical Center

The hospital that created Terry's House to provide a 'home away from home' for families of patients facing critical medical situations.

Christa Atchley

The Interim Chief Fund Development Officer at Community Regional Medical Center.

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What they’re saying

“When we were building Terry's House, he was so proud of this, and he really was a welcoming, warm individual and spirit here in the house, and so we're excited to put him right here at our main entrance where he can welcome many families for years to come.”

— Christa Atchley, Interim Chief Fund Development Officer (KSEE/KGPE)

“I certainly hope that we continue serving our mission, but likely we'll need to expand. And so, as we've had a full house and a waitlist, we know that the needs will continue to grow and that if you build it, they will come. And so as the hospital continues to get busier and the service lines that we have that are so critical, Terry's House will continue to be a need.”

— Christa Atchley, Interim Chief Fund Development Officer (KSEE/KGPE)

What’s next

Terry's House plans to continue expanding its services to meet the growing demand from families of hospital patients in the Fresno area.

The takeaway

Terry's House has provided a vital 'home away from home' for families in Fresno for 15 years, demonstrating the importance of community-based support for those facing critical medical situations. As the hospital and community's needs grow, Terry's House is committed to expanding its services to ensure no family has to travel long distances or struggle to find affordable accommodations during these difficult times.