History
In October 2017, Willow Valley Communities founded the Willow Valley Communities Charitable Foundation. The Foundation, a type 1 supporting organization and separate non-profit from Willow Valley Communities, serves as a vehicle for those who want to make an impact on the community they call home, the broader Lancaster County community, and beyond.
The Foundation’s first project is the This is Personal capital campaign, which seeks to raise $20 million of philanthropic support for the construction of the Memory Care Center and the establishment of a permanent endowment. The endowment will be used to offset operating expenses of the Memory Care Center and to provide world class training and support to Team Members, caregivers, and the broader community.
2024 - Breaking ground on the future of memory care
- The Memory Center was named in honor of Marlin and Doris Thomas, founders of Willow Valley Communities.
- Willow Valley Communities celebrates its 40-year anniversary.
- In April, over 600 Residents, friends, and business partners gathered to celebrate the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center. View the recorded ceremony.
- The clinical partnership between Willow Valley Communities and Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health was announced. This partnership seeks to improve access to neurological care and advance awareness and education for a community that better understands and prioritizes brain health.
- Gatherings continue to be hosted around campus and in the community to keep Residents and Lancastrians apprised of the project’s progress, dismantling the stigma surrounding dementia and transforming the lives of those impacted by dementia.
2023 - Planning the way forward
- In February, a campus-wide celebration was hosted, toasting to the minimum goal-met milestone.
- NORD Architects from Copenhagen, Denmark was selected to re-envision the Memory Center and design the therapeutic environment. EGA Architects in Boston was selected to support NORD through their inaugural project in the United States.
- The Foundation continued to receive philanthropic support for the capital construction of the Memory Center and the Endowment.
2022 - The capital campaign achieves its $20 million goal.
- Willow Valley Communities welcomed a new Memory Support Resource Coordinator. Support groups and Memory Cafés were reinstated for Residents and visitors, and dementia-related educational courses for Team Members were expanded.
- An event offering a glimpse into the future amenities of the Memory Center was hosted for Residents, highlighting the importance of person-directed engagement.
- In December, the campaign exceeded the minimum $20 million goal.
2021 - A major goal achieved.
- Virtual gatherings were hosted by Resident volunteers, inviting support for the project from peers.
- The Resource Room at Lakes reopened to visitors wanting to better understand dementia and brain health. The Room also offers support to those on the journey through a shared library and friendly conversation.
- In October, the campaign entered the Public Phase having surpassed $13 million on a $20 million minimum goal.
2020 - The capital campaign kicks off
- The This is Personal capital campaign, the first capital campaign for Willow Valley Communities, was introduced.
- Resident volunteer-led campaign committees were established and active campaigning for the Leadership Phase resumed in the Fall, following a pandemic-induced hiatus.
2019 - Support for the project grows.
- The Foundation launched a fundraising feasibility study which revealed strong support for the project.
2018 - The idea comes into focus
- The concept for the Memory Center project gained traction.
- Willow Valley Communities instituted a focused effort on transforming memory care.
- The Willow Valley Communities Charitable Foundation was established to nurture a culture of philanthropy.
- The Foundation serves as a vehicle for Residents looking to make a lasting effect on the community they call home, and the broader Lancaster community.
2017 - Listening to our Residents
- A committee of Resident volunteers and campaign consultants hosted gatherings on campus to introduce the concept to Residents.
- An original concept for design was developed by Perkins Eastman Architects.
2016 - An idea to expand Willow Valley Communities’ continuum of care.
- The seed planted for a world-class Memory Center.
- Willow Valley Communities commenced national and global benchmarking visits, most notably in Hogeweyk, Netherlands.
- WVC began consulting with international experts in dementia.