The Lakeshore Foundation and the city of Homewood have a shared history that goes back for a century. The Foundation has been a part of Homewood since it opened on Lakeshore Drive in 1925 as the Jefferson Tuberculosis Sanatorium. In fact, the Foundation recently celebrated its centennial, and the city of Homewood – founded in 1926 – is currently celebrating its own centennial.
In fact, the Foundation recently celebrated its centennial, and the city of Homewood – founded in 1926 – is currently celebrating its own centennial. The Lakeshore Foundation is “excited to celebrate Homewood’s centennial and proud to be part of a community with which Lakeshore shares such a long history,” says Cathy Miller, the Foundation’s Chief Operating & Financial Officer. “Having celebrated our own 100th anniversary in 2025, we look forward to celebrating Homewood’s while continuing to grow together in the years ahead.”
The Lakeshore Foundation is “excited to celebrate Homewood’s centennial and proud to be part of a community with which Lakeshore shares such a long history,” says Cathy Miller, the Foundation’s Chief Operating & Financial Officer. “Having celebrated our own 100th anniversary in 2025, we look forward to celebrating Homewood’s while continuing to grow together in the years ahead.” There’s been “a long and meaningful relationship between Lakeshore and Homewood,” says Jen Allred, Chief of Programs & Special Projects at the Lakeshore Foundation.
There’s been “a long and meaningful relationship between Lakeshore and Homewood,” says Jen Allred, Chief of Programs & Special Projects at the Lakeshore Foundation. “Lakeshore is extremely proud to be part of the Homewood community and to share such a long history with the city,” Miller says.
“Lakeshore is extremely proud to be part of the Homewood community and to share such a long history with the city,” Miller says.
“We’re proud of our history here, grateful for the support we’ve received and excited about what the future holds as both Lakeshore and Homewood continue to grow,” Allred says.
In 1973, the old sanitarium became Lakeshore Rehabilitation Hospital, and in 1984, the facility became the Lakeshore Foundation. The Foundation has become an internationally renowned organization and is especially well-known for its research and advocacy for individuals with physical disabilities. “We’re the only U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site in the Southeast and one of only a few such sites in the entire country,” Allred says. “Each year, countless Olympic and Paralympic athletes train and prepare for the highest levels of sport right here in Homewood.”
“We’re the only U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site in the Southeast and one of only a few such sites in the entire country,” Allred says. “Each year, countless Olympic and Paralympic athletes train and prepare for the highest levels of sport right here in Homewood.” Lakeshore is the only organization in the United States that is home to three USA teams: USA Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia United States, and USA Para Powerlifting.
Lakeshore is the only organization in the United States that is home to three USA teams: USA Wheelchair Rugby, Boccia United States, and USA Para Powerlifting. “That distinction reflects not only the strength of our programs, but also the strength of the Homewood community that has helped shape us for generations,” Allred says.
“That distinction reflects not only the strength of our programs, but also the strength of the Homewood community that has helped shape us for generations,” Allred says. Homewood has been a good place for the Lakeshore Foundation to operate all these years.
Homewood has been a good place for the Lakeshore Foundation to operate all these years. “Its central location in the Birmingham metro area makes our campus convenient and accessible for members who participate in our programs regularly,” Miller says.
“Its central location in the Birmingham metro area makes our campus convenient and accessible for members who participate in our programs regularly,” Miller says. “We value the strong sense of community in Homewood and are grateful to have grown our mission here the past century,” she says.
“We value the strong sense of community in Homewood and are grateful to have grown our mission here the past century,” she says. The community of Homewood has been important to Lakeshore’s success in countless ways.
The community of Homewood has been important to Lakeshore’s success in countless ways. “Hundreds of Homewood residents have been members of our daily fitness, aquatics, recreation and athletic programs,” Allred says. “Over the years, they’ve participated as athletes on many of our 27 different national championship teams for children and adults, and some have competed at the highest level, representing Team USA at the Paralympic Games in sports such as cycling, tennis and wheelchair rugby. That kind of impact is possible because Lakeshore has grown within a community that understands the value of our mission.”
“Hundreds of Homewood residents have been members of our daily fitness, aquatics, recreation and athletic programs,” Allred says. “Over the years, they’ve participated as athletes on many of our 27 different national championship teams for children and adults, and some have competed at the highest level, representing Team USA at the Paralympic Games in sports such as cycling, tennis and wheelchair rugby. That kind of impact is possible because Lakeshore has grown within a community that understands the value of our mission.” Many of the Foundation’s leaders and staffers have lived in Homewood through the years, including the organization’s first CEO, Jeff Underwood.
Many of the Foundation’s leaders and staffers have lived in Homewood through the years, including the organization’s first CEO, Jeff Underwood. “Jeff’s leadership was instrumental in building the strong relationship between Lakeshore and the city,” Allred says.
“Jeff’s leadership was instrumental in building the strong relationship between Lakeshore and the city,” Allred says. That bond between Lakeshore and the city continues under the leadership of the current CEO, John D. Kemp.
That bond between Lakeshore and the city continues under the leadership of the current CEO, John D. Kemp. “Both leaders appreciate that for Lakeshore to be truly successful as a mission-driven organization, we must be connected to and engaged with the community in which we’re proud to be located,“ Allred says. “That connection has helped us remain focused on meeting real needs and ensuring that people with physical disabilities have access to the programs and facilities they deserve.”
“Both leaders appreciate that for Lakeshore to be truly successful as a mission-driven organization, we must be connected to and engaged with the community in which we’re proud to be located,“ Allred says. “That connection has helped us remain focused on meeting real needs and ensuring that people with physical disabilities have access to the programs and facilities they deserve.” Homewood city leaders have also stood beside Lakeshore during “some of the most meaningful moments” in the organization’s history, according to Allred.
Homewood city leaders have also stood beside Lakeshore during “some of the most meaningful moments” in the organization’s history, according to Allred. “They’ve helped us welcome the world to our community through international sports events and partnered with us when we had the opportunity to host President George H. W. Bush,” she says.
“They’ve helped us welcome the world to our community through international sports events and partnered with us when we had the opportunity to host President George H. W. Bush,” she says. Homewood embraced Lakeshore’s commitment to service members and veterans when the Foundation launched Lima Foxtrot, an injured military initiative, in 2007.
Homewood embraced Lakeshore’s commitment to service members and veterans when the Foundation launched Lima Foxtrot, an injured military initiative, in 2007. “In true Homewood fashion — and fittingly in the home of the Patriots — the city helped us celebrate our nation’s injured veterans with a parade through the heart of the community,” Allred said. “That support meant a great deal to Lakeshore and to the service members and families involved.”
“In true Homewood fashion — and fittingly in the home of the Patriots — the city helped us celebrate our nation’s injured veterans with a parade through the heart of the community,” Allred said. “That support meant a great deal to Lakeshore and to the service members and families involved.” Looking ahead, Lakeshore Foundation expects to receive positive media attention in 2028 during the Los Angeles Olympics and the LA28 Paralympic Games.
Looking ahead, Lakeshore Foundation expects to receive positive media attention in 2028 during the Los Angeles Olympics and the LA28 Paralympic Games. “When Homewood residents watch athletes compete on the world stage in 2028, we hope they’ll feel a deep sense of pride knowing their city has played a meaningful role in that journey,” Allred said. “For many athletes, that journey begins long before the opening ceremonies. It begins in training sessions, community programs, daily practices and, so often, it begins right here in Homewood.”
“When Homewood residents watch athletes compete on the world stage in 2028, we hope they’ll feel a deep sense of pride knowing their city has played a meaningful role in that journey,” Allred said. “For many athletes, that journey begins long before the opening ceremonies. It begins in training sessions, community programs, daily practices and, so often, it begins right here in Homewood.” Lakeshore Foundation has big plans for its future in Homewood.
Lakeshore Foundation has big plans for its future in Homewood. “Lakeshore’s 45-acre campus includes land opportunities for future development,” Miller says. “As we look ahead, we will evaluate the use of our campus strategically in order to strengthen and expand our mission.”
“Lakeshore’s 45-acre campus includes land opportunities for future development,” Miller says. “As we look ahead, we will evaluate the use of our campus strategically in order to strengthen and expand our mission.” The Foundation and the city of Homewood will continue to build a great relationship that has lasted for a century.
The Foundation and the city of Homewood will continue to build a great relationship that has lasted for a century.
“At our core, Lakeshore is here to support the citizens of Homewood,” Allred says. “Together, we can continue building a city that’s accessible and welcoming for everyone who wants to live, work, worship, play, train and compete here. We are deeply proud to call Homewood home, and we look forward to continuing that partnership for generations to come.”
