UMRC Foundation Awards Community Grants to Local Nonprofits Serving Older Adults
December 16, 2019
CHELSEA, MI–The United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation is pleased to announce that it has awarded its 2019 annual community grants, totaling $15,000, to two faith-based nonprofit organizations serving the needs of older adults. These include Cass Community Social Services in Detroit and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County.
“The UMRC Foundation Board makes the determination each year of what nonprofits to support,” explains Wendy Brightman, President of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation. “I am so proud to serve with these individuals who voted unanimously this year to support two highly regarded organizations in our area. We are delighted to make this year’s community grants to Cass Community Social Services and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County that each day bless the lives of low-income older adults in the communities we serve.”
“Cass Community Social Services works with a large number of seniors living in poverty who struggle with rising housing and health care bills, inadequate nutrition, diminishing savings, and limited transportation,” explains Reverend Faith Fowler, Executive Director of Cass Community Social Services. “This generous grant from the UMRC Foundation will help us make sure their basic needs are met.”
Peg Bravo, President and CEO of Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County (CSSW) agrees. “Catholic Social Services is grateful and honored to receive a donation from the UMRC Foundation in support of Senior Services. The donation will specifically be used to support our Home Maintenance and Safety Services program.”
CSSW provides services directly in homes of older adults who need assistance with basic household repairs, outdoor chores, and home safety installations such as smoke alarms, battery and light bulb exchange, and bathroom safety devices. Says Bravo, “During home visits, resource advocates are also able to visit and spend time assessing seniors who may need assistance beyond home maintenance and can be appropriately referred.”
“Our UMRC Foundation Board members are passionate about caring for older adults, especially those in our communities who are low-income,” adds Brightman. “It is a beautiful part of our mission.”
Building on a foundation of 113 years of service, UMRC is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that promotes the wellness, dignity and independence of older adults, by providing high quality, innovative and compassionate senior residential and supportive services. UMRC recently affiliated, under shared governance and leadership, with Porter Hills, based in Grand Rapids, MI. Together, these organizations represent the second largest nonprofit senior living organization in Michigan. With a tradition of exceptional quality and a commitment to cutting-edge care, these faith-based organizations and their affiliates combine to serve more than 6,700 older adults each year, from 24 locations and service lines, across 22 counties in Michigan’s lower peninsula.
The UMRC Foundation is the charitable arm for United Methodist Retirement Communities, with headquarters in Chelsea, MI. Since its inception in 1998, the UMRC Foundation has provided over $18,500,000 through its Benevolent Care Fund to help UMRC residents remain in their homes when they outlive their resources. The mission of the UMRC Foundation is to promote the wellness, dignity, and independence of seniors by supporting UMRC residents, staff, and the communities UMRC serves.