Eaton Senior Communities Foundation

Eaton Senior Communities Foundation's goals are:
1) Provide affordable, attractive, and comfortable housing for low- to middle-income seniors
2) Provide on-site supportive services that enable Eaton Senior Communities' residents to live independently for as long as possible with the best quality of life attainable
3) Support the spiritual component that speaks to each resident's needs
4) Offer a variety of meaningful social and educational opportunities to enhance the quality of life

The following programs support these goals:
• Wellness Program: Eaton Senior Communities partners with a variety of wellness providers to ensure each resident has support to maintain the highest levels of function and independence.
• Service Coordination Program: The Resident Services Coordinator connects residents and families with supportive services within the community. These services can empower residents to remain self-sufficient and to live in the apartment community for as long as possible. From assistance with Medicaid to grant funding opportunities to general information and referrals, the Service Coordinator helps connect residents to the resources they need.
• Dining Program: Meals are served in a communal dining room Monday through Friday, with a café menu on weekends.
• Life Enrichment Program: Educational and art classes, social events, gardening, and bus trips to grocery stores and other recreational outings.
• Volunteer and Community Programs engage individuals from within and outside Eaton.
• Pastoral Advocate/Ministry Program gives encouragement, respect and nurturing for the meaningful faith that has sustained residents and staff throughout their lives. This multi-dimensional spiritual ministry provides residents access to ecumenical weekly worship services.

Historically, the Foundation has sought grant funding for various program needs, special projects and building improvements. While there are no guarantees that this funding will continue, the Foundation has continued to obtain grant funding since its beginning.

Attendance and money raised at the annual spring fundraiser and fall "Garden Party" fundraiser continue to grow each year. Donations from the Foundation's annual fall Letter Campaign are used to support Foundation operations.

The Foundation has several designated funds with the Resident Assistance Fund being the most important. Distributions from this fund help residents pay for prescriptions, medical bills, hearing aids, dental work, furniture needs, car repairs, etc. Eaton's Resident Services Coordinator refers residents to the foundation after other means of subsidy have been exhausted.

An Endowment Fund established by the Foundation is growing and when it reaches $50,000, earnings from this fund will be available for program support. In addition, the Foundation assisted in establishing an Endowment Fund for Eaton Senior Communities, Inc. and proceeds from this fund were used to purchase a new bus for scheduled transportation in 2017.

Innovation is one of our guiding principles and Eaton staff are encouraged to try new approaches when solving problems. The Leadership Team recognizes that some innovations will fail but the ones that succeed can be life-changing for residents. As the baby boomers are reaching retirement age in large numbers, the need for affordable housing is growing. Plus new models for aging in place are required to satisfy this group's needs. Eaton is a leader in addressing this need while offering warm and caring communities.