|
|
|
Your donation will make it possible for us to affirm the worth of all people and respond to families seeking a Christian program. Donate online by clicking onto one of these buttons:
  
|
The History of Friendship Community
Just like the parents of the past, today's parents seek help in caring for their adult children. A program with Christian values and foundation is important to them. 1969 A committee of parents and church leaders Lancaster County. 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. 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 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. 1987 A seven person Intermediate Care Facility opened near Lancaster. Friendship Community became a legal entity, independent from the Eastern Mennonite Board of Missions. 1989 Two homes for people who are non-ambulatory were opened in Leola and Lititz. The Semi-Independent Living Program began at the Roseville House Apartments. 1993 Agape Home, the first privately-funded home, opened. 1994 Three apartments opened in New Holland with the cooperation of Trinity Lutheran Church. 1995 Homes were opened in Willow Street, Lancaster and New Holland (with the cooperation of St. Stephen United Church of Christ). 1996 Jubilee Home, the second privately funded home opened. 1997 Friendship celebrated "25 Years of Responding to Needs". 1998 Four new homes in Brownstown, East Petersburg, Millersville, New Holland, and several new apartments opened. The new administrative office building opened. 1999 Shalom Home, the third privately funded home opened. A home-based service opened, enabling families to receive services in their own residence. A 14 unit apartment complex was purchased in Ephrata. Another home was purchased to better serve residents with aging and mobility issues. 2000 Opened first home in Lebanon, expanding services into Lebanon County. Started Self-Determination projects in York and Chester counties. 2001 Reorganized homes to provide programs with lower costs and better quality services. New home purchased, two remodeled for adaptability of aging residents and the Life Sharing program expanded. 2002 Continuing expansion of the the Life Sharing program and renovations on many homes. Friendship celebrated 30 years of service by highlighting the stories we never heard before. 2003 After 23 years of one administration, Dr. George B. Stoltzfus began his service as the new CEO. With changes in government contracts, Friendship Community explores new models of care and funding sources. Friendship Community celebrates being “A People of Faith” throughout the year. 2004 Friendship sought ways to fulfill its 2004 theme of "Sharing, Caring, Hoping and Dreaming" Two new staff positions were added. A Quality Management Coordinator to develop and implement a systematic means of evaluating and improving the quality of services and a New Initiatives Director to seek and explore new funding and service opportunities. 2005-06 The theme for 2005-06 was "Breaking Barriers". FC staff and Board of Directors focused on intentional involvement with state-elected officials, advocating for increased funding for program needs and waiting list initiatives. 2007- Using the "Break the Barriers" theme, Friendship started a soda vending employment service, an art program and developed privately paid services in order to serve more people on our waiting list in spite of limited state funding. 2008 - Friendship Community discovered treasures in 2008...we opened two news homes and a 40 unit apartment complex. Lifesharing services expanded. We invite you to join us in this mission.
|
|
Friendship
Community is a Christian ministry supporting people with developmental
disabilities.