Mobile Assisted Living Initiative Earns Senior Housing Community Emmanuel Gubernatorial Award

Governor Pawlenty and Janet Green Pictured: Gov. Pawlenty and Janet GreenEcumen’s Emmanuel Community in Detroit Lakes, Minn., has been honored by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty as a recipient of one of the inaugural Best PracticesAwards by the Governor’s Council on Faith and Community Service Initiatives. Senior housing community Emmanuel, a leader in the aging services profession, was one of just 7 recipients statewide to receive the honor. Emmanuel Community and Ecumen leader Janet Green accepted the award from Governor Pawlenty during a Capitol reception last month.The Best Practices award recognizes Emmanuel’s innovative initiative focused on vital, successful aging to deliver assisted living services to seniors in their Detroit Lakes apartments, so that they can stay in their home. Currently 78 customers benefit from this program that reduces nursing home use. Emmanuel Community is now working on extending this award-winning program to other Minnesota seniors and help the state prepare for the age wave.Governor Pawlenty commended Emmanuel Community for helping its customers stay in a community that they love and deliver senior independent living.“Emmanuel’s focus on promoting senior independent living and vital, successful aging is tremendous,” said Kathryn Roberts, CEO and president of Ecumen. “We need to expand these innovations to serve more Minnesota seniors today and prepare for the age wave of baby boomers.”