Ecumen's Philanthropy team and Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights Housing Director accepting a donation check

Ecumen Receives $1 Million Grant from Fred C. and Kathrine B. Andersen Foundation to Develop New Senior Housing in Chisago City

Ecumen Receives $1 Million Grant from Fred C. and Kathrine B. Andersen Foundation to Develop New Senior Housing in Chisago City.

By Corrine McCallum | July 13, 2022

Ecumen's Philanthropy team and Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights Housing Director accepting a donation check

Shoreview, Minn., July 13, 2022 – In partnership with the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation, Ecumen, one of Minnesota’s largest nonprofit senior care providers, will build 20 townhomes in Chisago City, Minn. The project was made possible this year due to a generous $1 million gift from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation.

The new construction comes in response to a 2020 market study that demonstrated a large and increasing need for housing in the primary and secondary market areas for adults 55 years and older. Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights, an Ecumen-owned independent senior living community in Chisago City is in high demand with a growing waiting list.

The leadership team, with input from team members and residents, identified the need to perform updates to the existing 109 units on 25 acres in conjunction with the new construction while also supporting Ecumen’s cornerstone programming. Funding from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation will not only support new construction and existing home renovations, but also will fully fund transportation for community residents, as well as Point Pleasant Heights’ annual Veteran’s Day celebration and Lutefisk dinner..

“We are so grateful for the support of the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation,” said Shelley Kendrick, Ecumen president and CEO. “Our vision to ensure every older adult has a home with innovative services to live the life they choose becomes a reality with partnerships like this.”

About Ecumen

Ecumen is a nonprofit provider, developer and operator of award-winning living spaces and innovative technology and services for older adults. Mission-driven since its founding in 1862, Ecumen’s legacy of service is a reflection of a commitment to honoring those it serves. Ecumen is based in Shoreview, Minn., and operates properties and services in multiple states, and provides new development, management and consulting services. Housing options include cooperative living, independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation and long-term care communities. Its diverse in-home and community-based services include home care, hospice, physical and occupational therapy, adult day services, technology products and an online durable goods medical store. For more information, visit.

For more information, visit ecumen.org.


Jim-Williams-and-Faith-Brown_Lakeshore

Ecumen Partners Golf Tournament Generously Supports Benevolence Fund

More than 50 Ecumen Partners joined Ecumen Leadership on the greens for our annual golf tournament to benefit the Benevolence Fund.

Read more


Food show, two women and two men showing off platted food

Ecumen Communities Gather for Food Show Exhibition

Sysco, Ecumen’s food supplier, and Link-age, our group purchasing organization, recently hosted the Ecumen Food Show. 

 

Read more


Amber-Hernandez_Powerful-Partner-Award

Amber Hernandez Honored with Ecumen Philanthropy's Powerful Partner Award

Amber Hernandez, Human Resources Specialist at Ecumen Seasons at Apple Valley, has received the 2018 Ecumen Philanthropy Powerful Partner Award.

Read more


Meet Ecumen’s Devan Luth — A Proud Young Cobber Who’s Changing Aging

Devan Luth signed on as a Development Specialist in the Ecumen Philanthropy Department last year shortly after she graduated from Concordia College — home of the “Cobbers.”

She’s a Cobber through and through and used her alumni connections to find a mentor and a career path that eventually led her to Ecumen.  She took initiative, seize opportunity and is already making a big difference raising money to help make lives better for older adults.

Concordia is very proud of her, as are we at Ecumen.  Read Concordia’s blog post that tells about Devan’s journey from college to career.  


Ecumen Meadows Gets a New Spa

Thanks to a generous donation, residents of Ecumen Meadows in Worthington, Minn., are enjoying a new spa — complete with a walk-in whirlpool tub.

Read more


Ecumen Names Sarah Hernandez Director of Development

Sarah Hernandez has been named Director of Development in the Ecumen Philanthropy Department. 

Read more


Is It a Cold or the Flu?

With colder weather comes the wave of sickness. Being proactive about the flu season is especially important for individuals involved with the direct care of seniors. The flu and cold symptoms are similar, and the Cleveland Clinic has put together a guide to tell the difference.

Read more


New Horizon Foods Wins Ecumen’s Annual Golf Outing, Helps Raise Money for Alzheimer's Care

Ecumen hosted its annual golf tournament Monday to raise money for Alzheimer's care.

Read more


Ecumen Lights of Honor Community Celebrations Honor, Remember, Celebrate

Honor lights are being lit across Minnesota as Ecumen communities host their annual "Lights of Honor" celebrations.

Lights of Honor is a fundraiser held at each Ecumen community that allows individuals to…

Honor and recognize someone whose life impacts yours.
Remember a loved one who has passed away.
Celebrate outstanding care provided by a staff member.

Ecumen communities sell lanterns and have a special Lights of Honor event where community members, donors, residents and others come to celebrate. Since 2012, when it started, Lights of Honor has raised almost $80,000.

The funds go directly to the Ecumen communities where they are raised, and they are used for special projects or other needs.  Over the years, Lights of Honor funds have been used in a wide range of ways including: funding resident activities and interactive games, Meals on Wheels, handicap accessible doors, remodeling projects, fitness equipment, furniture, TVs, iPads, iPods, computers and memory care programming.

Lights of Honor celebrations will take place at the following locations in upcoming weeks:

Ecumen Evergreens of Moorhead: September 16

Ecumen Le Center: September 24

Ecumen New Richland: September 27

Ecumen Evergreens of Fargo: September 29

Ecumen Parmly LifePointes: October 1 (Chisago City)

Ecumen North Branch: October 6

Ecumen Countryside: October 15 (Owatonna)

Ecumen Bethany Community: October 18 (Alexandria)

Ecumen Brooks: October 20 (Owatonna)

Ecumen Scenic Shores: October 20 (Two Harbors)

Ecumen Lakeshore: October 20 (Duluth)

Ecumen Seasons at Maplewood: October 22

Ecumen Meadows: October 25 (Worthington)

Ecumen Pathstone Living: October 29 (Mankato)

Ecumen Detroit Lakes: November 1

Ecumen Centennial House: November 2 (Apple Valley)

Ecumen Prairie Lodge: November 4 (Brooklyn Center)

Ecumen Oaks & Pines: November 5 (Hutchinson)

Ecumen of Litchfield: December 10

For more information or to purchase an Honor Light, visit www.ecumengiving.org or a local Ecumen community.