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Today's parents seek help in caring for their adult children. A program with Christian values and foundation is important to them.
FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY HISTORY
From the formation as Lancaster County's (PA)
first group home for adults with developmental disabilities in 1972,
Friendship Community has evolved from serving 12 people to the present
number of 130 people.
1969: A
committee of parents and church leaders formed to study the need for a
ministry to persons with developmental disabilities in the Lancaster County
area.
1972: The
Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions and Charities gave ten acres of land
from a donated farm on East Oregon Road, Lititz, PA.
A group home was built and opened in October with Emory Otto as the
first administrator. The first resident moved in October 25.
1977:
Friendship Community began a Supervised Apartment Program funded by private
donations.
1979:
Charles Bauman was hired as the second administrator and served in that role
for 23 years.
1980:
The second group home was opened in Manheim.
1982: The
Oregon Road facility became certified as an Intermediate Care Facility.
Another group home was opened in East Petersburg as well as in
Millersville.
1984: A
second group home was opened in Millersville.
The Family Living Program was started.
1989: Two
homes for non-ambulatory persons were opened in Leola and Lititz.
The Semi-Independent Living Apartment Program began at the Roseville
House Apartments on Eden Road.
1993: The
Agape Home, the first privately-funded home for eight people was completed
on the East Oregon Road property.
1994: Three
apartments opened in New Holland with the cooperation of the Trinity Lutheran
Church.
1995:
Homes were opened in
Willow Street, Lancaster and in New Holland (with the cooperation of St. Stephen
United Church of Christ.)
1996:
The Jubilee Home, the second privately-funded
home opened on the East Oregon Road property.
1997:
Friendship celebrated “25 Years of Responding to Needs.”
Construction began on Friendship Community's new office building on the East Oregon
Road property.
1998: Four new homes in Brownstown, East Petersburg, Millersville and New Holland, and several new apartment settings were opened. The new administrative office building was opened.
1999:
Shalom Home, the third privately-funded home on
the East Oregon Road property was opened.
A home-based service program was started, enabling families to receive
services in their own residence. A
14-unit apartment complex was purchased in Ephrata for Friendship’s apartment
program. Another home was also
purchased to better serve residents with aging and mobility issues.
2000:
The second home for people with multiple disabilities was opened as well as
Friendship’s first home in Lebanon County.
2001:
Friendship Community committed resources to the expansion of the Life-Sharing
program. Some homes were reorganized
to provide program with lower costs and staffing needs and better quality
services.
2002:
Friendship celebrated 30 years of service by
highlighting stories that were never heard.
The Life Sharing program continued to expand and renovations were
completed on existing homes.
2003:
After 23 years of one administration, Dr. George
B. Stoltzfus began his services as the new CEO.
Friendship began to explore new models of care and funding sources as a
result of changes in government contracts.
A new home was opened for two men in the
Ephrata area, one of whom was able to move to Lancaster County and be closer to
his brother. This home provided improved services for another man who moved from
another home within Friendship Community.
2004:
Friendship staff and Board of Directors focused
on intentional involvement with state elected officials, advocating for
increased funding for program needs and waiting list initiatives.
2005:
Friendship’s
apartment complex in Ephrata underwent interior and exterior renovations and
improvements.
2006:
A vending route was donated to Friendship Community which provides employment
for a Friendship individual. A respite home was opened in the Forest Hills
development east of Lancaster.
2007:
A new home was opened in the Lititz area for a young woman. Her family was
instrumental in advocating for and obtaining funding for their daughter’s
services. A second person joined the household in the fall of 2007.
2008:
The heART of Friendship art gallery moved to a new location on Main Street in
Ephrata. A new home was opened east of Leola serving three people.
Another new home was also constructed south of Manheim for two
individuals already being served. The Lifesharing program’s size doubled. The
Old Mill Apartments, a forty unit apartment complex was built along Route 272
south of Ephrata with a vision to provide quality, affordable housing for
persons with and without disabilities.
2009:
The second home was opened in Lebanon
County. The Home Based Services program continued to expand as people requested
supports in their current homes. Friendship’s 20th community-based group home in
Lancaster County was opened in October.
The number of individuals served reached 135.
We invite you to join us in this mission.
