Corvallis Caring Place Creates Endowment
Funds to establish an endowment fund for Corvallis Caring Place, Inc., have been provided by members of its board of directors. Corvallis Caring Place is an ecumenical, nonprofit assisted living facility that serves senior residents of Benton County.
The purpose of the Corvallis Caring Place Endowment Fund is to assist residents who are in financial need, provide capital for future expansion, encourage employee development through scholarships, and help where need is the greatest. Anyone interested in furthering the organization’s goals of promoting dignity and compassion in a life-enriching environment can contribute to the fund through the Benton County Foundation.
The vision for Corvallis Caring Place was first established by Betty and Francis Johnson in 1990. Betty in particular saw a need for an assisted living facility in Corvallis that would accept a large percentage of residents who were eligible for Medicaid.
Under Betty’s leadership, a small group of local citizens negotiated with the Archdiocese in Portland to purchase a piece of land on 23rd Street behind St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Money was raised to purchase the property and build the facility, and Corvallis Caring Place opened its doors in 2001.
The facility includes 42 comfortable, affordable studio and one-bedroom apartments in a home-like setting. It includes an onsite nursing staff to provide medication assistance, injections, and routine care. Residents also can receive assistance with personal care activities, such as bathing, dressing, grooming.
Corvallis Caring Place is administered by a board of directors and managed by Mennonite Village of Albany. 2008 board members include R.Charles Vars, president; Rev. Francis Potts, vice president; Ted Anderson, treasurer; Rebecca Swanson, secretary; James Bell; Nancy Erwin; Tom Gallagher; Christina Gaulin; Betty Johnson; Clara Pratt; Penny Reher; and Doris Waring.
The name of the facility reflects its mission: to be a caring place.
“I am impressed with the ease with which residents deal with staff and vice versa,” said Vars. “There is a home-like atmosphere surrounding the care of elderly people, and it’s treasured by the residents and the staff.”
One of the things that makes Corvallis Caring Place unique is the resident council that meets once a month. Ten to 15 residents meet once a month to voice concerns, share ideas on improving their living experience, and hear complaints. The board of directors receives copies of the minutes of the resident council meeting, ensuring that issues raised are addressed by administrators.
From the board’s perspective, caring extends beyond an attitude toward residents to also caring for employees. The endowment established with the Benton County Foundation will allow Corvallis Caring Place to keep residents’ costs low, provide employee benefits such as medical education grants, maintain the facility and its equipment, and improve programs.