Althea Maloney, Ecumen Detroit Lakes, Ecumen Century Club

Ecumen Proud to Help Minnesota Rank #1 In Country in Senior Health Study By United Health Foundation

Ecumen professionals in home care, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation services and care centers have helped Minnesota rank #1 in U.S. senior health.

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Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Ecumen Gifts Officer Shares Advice with Bethel University for Pursuing Career in Non-Profit Sector

What are the benefits of working in the nonprofit sector? Does working at a nonprofit mean you have to starve?  A Bethel Univesrity professor recently sought the perspective of Ecumen gifts officer Amy Williams and others on pursuing a rewarding career in the nonprofit world.  You can read the full blog post here.  If you work in the sector, why do you do it?  Other advice you'd share?


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Talking Ecumen Awakenings With Nebraska Alzheimer's Care Professionals

Ecumen's Maria Reyes, RN, discusses a great question from Nebraska Alzheimer's care professionals.

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Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Ecumen Boardman Meadows Has 10-Year Anniversary

Ecumen Boardman Meadows in New Richmond, Wisconsin recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.  See coverage in the New Richmond News here.


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Ecumen North Branch Awarded Grant For New TVs

The Midcontinent Communications Foundation awarded a $1,300 grant to Ecumen North Branch to buy multimedia televisions sets that will give residents more options to socialize while watching TV.

Nathan Johnson, executive director at Ecumen North Branch (pictured on the right), received the check from a Midcontinent representative.  Nathan said the new TVs will be placed near the dining room so residents can gather and watch together around meal times.  “This will allow us to create an extra activity area and give residents more opportunity to interact,” Nathan said.

“We are very grateful to Midcontinent for this grant,” Nathan said.  “I’m sure our residents will enjoy the increased options for socializing this will create.”

“Midcontinent is honored to assist the organizations that work to improve the quality of life in this region, says Tom Simmons, Senior Vice President of Public Policy for Midcontinent Communications. “Over the years the Midcontinent Foundation has contributed more than 3-million dollars to support the work of non-profit organizations within our service area; we are thrilled this fall’s distribution of grant funds will help more non-profits than ever before.”

Midcontinent Communications provides cable TV, Internet, telephone and cable advertising services to more than 300,000 customers in 335 communities throughout North Dakota and South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.


Ecumen CEO Kathryn Roberts and Roger Bock

Seniors Caring for Juniors at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth

A group of residents at Ecumen Lakeshore in Duluth are regularly volunteering at Little Treasures Childcare and Family Center, being “grandfriends” to babies and toddlers.  And both the kids and the elders love the arrangement.

That was the plan three years ago when Ecumen teamed up with Little Treasures—which serves at-risk children-- to create an inter-generational program to foster the healthy development of children and increase the quality of life of older adults.  At the time, Little Treasures needed a permanent home, and Ecumen had some unfinished extra space at Lakeshore that was converted into the daycare center with donations from local civic organizations, individuals and foundations. 

The site opened in 2011 and now Lakeshore residents routinely rock babies and read to toddlers.  

The Northland’s NewsCenter recently featured the program, which is run by the Duluth YMCA.  Click here to see the video and read the story on how the younger and older generations are boosting each other’s spirits.


Happy 90th Birthday to Governor Al Quie From Ecumen, Have Fun in the Saddle Today!

We don't think Governor Quie is going to quite follow his doctor's orders :), Happy Birthday, Governor Quie

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Groundbreaking Held for Ecumen Services Hub Supported by Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and Otto Bremer Foundation

 Ecumen Detroit Lakes residents, families, staff and local community leaders gathered under sunny skies Thursday, September 12, 2013, for a ceremony to celebrate the groundbreaking of a new short-stay rehabilitation and wellness center.

The project is a key component of what is envisioned as an innovative "one-stop aging services hub” that integrates technology, socialization, fitness, nutrition and health care to help keep seniors in rural Becker County healthier and independent. The project is possible through grants from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation and the Otto Bremer Foundation.

Detroit Lakes Mayor Matt Brenk welcomed the group and congratulated Ecumen on the project, which he said, “not only represents a quality of life improvement for the community but also a great economic boost for Detroit Lakes.”

The new addition will include a therapy center with a hydrotherapy pool, a wellness center with a bistro, a telehealth center and a yoga room. The project also includes updating other areas of Ecumen Detroit Lakes to better serve area residents.

Ecumen Detroit Lakes Executive Director Janet Green told the group that in 2014, when the new center opens, the campus will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. “This project is preparing us for the next 50 years,” she said. “We’re going to be able to serve people better and differently.”