ABOUT UCC HOMES

 

 

 

 


 

A Brief History of UCC Homes

 

Founded by the Lancaster Synod of the former Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1955 (now the Lancaster, Lebanon, and Harrisburg Associations of the United Church of Christ in Penn Central Conference), UCC Homes is a non-profit corporation that has continuously served older adults in Central Pennsylvania since 1965.  UCC Homes owns and operates The Lebanon Valley Home in Annville, Pa.; Thornwald Home in Carlisle, Pa.; Ephrata Manor in Ephrata Township, Pa.; Kindred Place in Annville, Pa.; Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home in Carlisle, Pa.; and Kindred Place in Harrisburg, Pa.

 

The Lebanon Valley Home is UCC Homes’ first facility.  It opened in 1965 and has undergone several expansions and renovations since then.  It is licensed to provide skilled nursing care to 55 residents and personal care services to 40 additional residents.  This Home also offers 12 fully equipped two-bedroom cottages.

 

Acquired in 1981, Thornwald Home has undergone expansion and renovation as well.  This Home is licensed to serve a maximum of 83 persons in skilled nursing and an additional 36 persons in personal care.

 

Ephrata Manor opened in June of 1991.  A continuum of care facility, it is licensed to provide nursing care to 120 residents and assisted living or personal care to 48 residents.  Ephrata Manor also offers 40 two-bedroom and 20 one-bedroom apartments.

 

Dedication services for Kindred Place at Annville were held on August 6, 1995.  A unique concept, Kindred Place offers 74 customized independent senior living apartments.

 

UCC Homes acquired the Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home in December of 1997.  This Home is licensed to serve a maximum of 117 persons in skilled nursing and offers 15 additional apartments and 25 additional cottages.

 

Dedication services for Kindred Place at Harrisburg were held on February 9, 2003.  Kindred Place at Harrisburg offers 90 customized independent senior living apartments.

 

UCC Homes’ central administrative offices are located at 30 N. 31st Street, Camp Hill, Pa. The Executive Director is Mr. Stephen D. Horvath.  This office provides centralized administrative support to each of the service programs in their respective areas.

 

The corporation consists of one clergy and one lay delegate from each of the corporation’s 90 sponsoring churches of the United Church of Christ in the Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and Mercersburg Associations of Penn Central Conference.  The corporation elects new members to the 15 member Board of Directors during its Annual Meeting each February.   While closely related to the ministry of the United Church of Christ in health and welfare, the Church bears no responsibility or liability for the corporation’s operations.

 

During its numerous years of service, UCC Homes has become widely known and respected for the quality of care it provides to its residents.  A contributing factor to this enviable reputation may be found in the corporation’s dedicated staff and committed volunteers.

 

Admission into any of the UCC Homes’ programs is based on the individual needs and the corporation’s ability to meet those needs.  Nursing residents who are unable to meet the full cost of their care may receive financial assistance through Medicaid, a Federal assistance program administered through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Personal Care and Residential residents, in similar situations, are often not eligible to receive Medicaid benefits.  These residents receive aid through UCC Homes’ Benevolent Fund.  Strong financial support by the sponsoring churches has played a key role in enabling the corporation to provide this assistance. 

 

 


 

Mission Statement of UCC Homes

 

We acknowledge God as the Creator of all things in this world and universe.

 

Embracing the Judeo-Christian tradition and responding to the love of God revealed in Jesus Christ, we believe that all of life is sacred and is a gift from God.  We value all persons and especially we recognize the needs of the elderly, some requiring nursing care and many requiring housing and assistance in the activities of daily living.

 

In obedience to the call of Christ, the Mission of United Church of Christ Homes exemplifies the Greek term "Diakonia" the translation of faith into acts of love and compassion.  We strive to develop and to provide in the most Christian, professional, compassionate and dignified manner, a holistic ministry of care and service with the elderly, taking into consideration their spiritual, physical, psychological, and social needs.

 

We are a not-for-profit Corporation; our facilities and services are available without regard to race, color, national origin, or religious creed.

 

In response to persons with service needs who are unable to pay for the costs of their care, we provide a program of financial assistance according to policy available and posted in each facility of the Corporation.

 

We acknowledge the Corporation's historical relationship with churches in the Penn Central Conference and affirm our mission as a special ministry in covenant with the United Church of Christ.

 


The Auxiliary of UCC Homes

THE AUXILIARY…WHO WE ARE

 

The Auxiliary of UCC Homes fills an advocacy role for the residents.  It is made up of men and women of all ages who play a vital role in providing resources, programs, and volunteers for the residents of UCC Homes.

 

The Auxiliary was organized in the fall of 1965 and over the years has generously contributed many gifts that enhance the lives of the residents.

 

HOW YOU CAN HELP THE RESIDENTS OF UCC HOMES…

 

At UCC Homes we feel that the resident is the most important reason for our work.  We are continually looking for ways to make life more enjoyable and pleasant for them. 

 

We have found that VOLUNTEERS are vital in helping us accomplish this goal.  By working a few hours weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, VOLUNTEERS bring extra love and service to our residents.

 

United Church of Christ Homes welcomes the sharing of special skills and interests of our VOLUNTEERS.

 

We invite you to share your love and service with our residents.  The most precious gift that you can give them is yourself.

To learn more about the Auxiliary of UCC Homes, please contact the Corporate Office at (717) 303-1502.