WHY DOES BEING A FAITH-BASED NONPROFIT MATTER?
ABOUT US
160 YEARS OF NONPROFIT SERVICE, AND COUNTING.
From our origins in 1862 to present day, our faith-based mission has guided our nonprofit organization’s service to individuals and their families. Sure, a lot has changed over the decades, including a significant increase in the average life expectancy in America. Yet as the nation’s population grows, so does the prominence of isolation and unsafe living conditions for some of our most vulnerable members of society—older adults. Collectively, we can’t afford to let the trend continue.
At Ecumen, we’ve pledged to make a difference every day. We’re grateful to the benefactors of Ecumen, whose generosity gives our mission meaningful impact in senior living communities where we serve and in a growing number of health care environments across the nation.
An Evolution of Care
1862
Lutheran Conference Relief Program cares for refugees in Minnesota
1865
Vasa Children’s Home for orphans opens (later becomes Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota)
1900
Our first communities serving seniors are built in Mankato, Duluth and Detroit Lakes
1989
Hospice Care services begin in Litchfield as one of Minnesota’s first Hospice providers
2004
We are renamed Ecumen from the Greek word “home”, underscoring our mission to create home for older adults wherever they choose to live
2010
Launched a 5-year pilot program that reduced the use of psychotropic medications in dementia care by 97%, starting the broader use of our award-winning Awakenings™ program
2016
Groundbreaking for our first boutique Cooperative Living Community, Zvago Glen Lake, created for adults age 55+ with active lifestyles
2023
Ecumen acquires St. Benedict’s Community locations in St. Cloud, Monticello and Sartell
“Strong communities are built when people have access to safe housing, meaningful relationships, and compassionate care. Ecumen has been doing that work for generations, and I am honored to help carry that mission forward.”
— Cyrus Batheja, Ecumen President & CEO
Mission
We empower individuals and families to confidently navigate aging so that it is a purposeful journey filled with dignity and support.
Promise
Ecumen will be the most trusted aging services provider and the best place to work for those serving older adults.
Vision
Every older adult has a home with innovative services to live the life they choose.
Values
Honor
Serve
Innovate
Empower
Ecumen Asks:
Where can I help?
At Ecumen we started asking this question in the aftermath of the Civil War — and we never stopped. Because solutions for a better tomorrow come from asking better questions today. Because we work for people, not for profit. This is the mission we all signed up for — every team member, every volunteer, and every donor.
Our Commitment to Belonging
Our promise at Ecumen is to be the most trusted aging services provider and the best place to work for those serving older adults. Guided by our core values of honor, serve, innovate and empower, we strive to practice empathy, and continuous evolution in serving every resident, patient, client and team member.
Leadership Team
Advancing our mission is made possible by the hard work of thousands of team members guided by the deep expertise of our leaders.
