CHHSM Members Partner to Sustain Pilgrim Manor’s Tradition of Care

UCC-related Pilgrim Manor has announced that it is integrating into United Church Homes, a national, faith-based, nonprofit senior living services provider based in Marion, Ohio. Pilgrim Manor was conceived in 1955 by 12 Grand Rapids area Congregational churches, most now affiliated with the United Church of Christ. It opened in 1963 as an assisted living community for retired seniors. Pilgrim Manor later added skilled nursing services. Today it operates 55 Medicare/Medicaid nursing beds and 110 assisted living units on a 10-acre campus near downtown Grand Rapids.

Pilgrim Manor’s 19 shareholder churches voted to approve the integration with United Church Homes at its annual meeting held on June 29. Earlier this year, both organizations’ boards of directors had approved this move. The integration process will be completed by Oct. 31, 2016.

Pilgrim Manor is a highly respected regional senior health and rehabilitation care provider. It has maintained a strong reputation for quality care and customer satisfaction. As a smaller stand-alone provider, its board and executive director began planning 18 months ago to ensure the long-term viability of the organization in light of the emerging demands of health care and its payment systems.

Micki Benz, chair of Pilgrim Manor’s board of directors, says, “Pilgrim Manor, and especially our residents, will benefit from being affiliated with a larger organization that shares our values and will support us as we grow our programs and significantly improve our facilities.”

Through this integration Pilgrim Manor will become part of United Church Homes’ system of senior residential and health care facilities. Pilgrim Manor’s staff, approximately 170 strong, will be retained following the integration. Leadership and decision-making will remain local.

With this integration, United Church Homes will increase its service area to 14 states and two Native American reservations. Founded in 1916, United Church Homes now serves more than 4,000 residents in 69 senior housing and healthcare communities. It has approximately 1300 employees.

Karen Messick, executive director of Pilgrim Manor, says, “This new relationship enables Pilgrim Manor to partner with a closely aligned organization with the depth of expertise and innovative practices that will bring us even more value and the opportunity for growth in Grand Rapids.”

The Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes, says, “Both organizations benefit from their shared missions, values and affiliation with the United Church of Christ.”

Both Pilgrim Manor and United Church Homes are members of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ and the American Health Care Association.

For more information, please see the organizations’ respective websites at pilgrimmanor.org. and unitedchurchhomes.org.