A History of Caring for Indiana
Caregiver Companion began in February, 1995 when Sister Veronica Baumgartner, CSJ opened an office in Lafayette, Indiana.
Sister Veronica referred to those we help as “neighbor” a term based on the Congregation of St. Joseph’s commitment to the “dear neighbor”. Neighbor connotes a warm and caring concern and that is what Caregiver Companion does—carries a note of love and concern from volunteer to neighbor.
The initial funding for Caregiver Companion came from the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton, Indiana with support from St. Mary Cathedral in Lafayette, and donated office space from St. Ann’s Church in Lafayette.
With help from the community, Caregiver Companion grew and Sister Veronica hired full time help in 1999. An affiliate office was opened in Tipton in 2003.
In 2007 the Sisters of St. Joseph in Tipton joined with six other communities to form the Congregation of St. Jospeh.
The Congregation created the CSJ Ministries Corporation which oversees and supports all the ministries of the Congrergation. Through the encouragment of this organization Caregiver Companion now operates as its own 501©(3).