2011 Annual Report - Christian Living Communities

The beginning...
The story of Christian living Communities
begins in the late 1960s, when the board of
directors for bethesda hospital made the
difficult decision to close their Continuing Care
unit, which had been providing long-term care
for seniors. bethesda originally was a
tuberculosis hospital where many dutch
immigrants were treated.
March, 1968 | a steering committee made up of
representatives from denver-area reformed and
Christian reformed churches, along with members
of the bethesda hospital staff, meets to discuss the
possibility of building an independent nursing home
for the community.
December, 1968 | This steering committee meets
with another constituent committee, the Christian
home for the aged, and jointly they form the
university hills Christian nursing home association.
January 1969 | The first meeting of the board of
directors of the university hills Christian nursing
home association.
July 1971 | Construction of Phase 1, a 62-bed
nursing home begins, with don Jeltema as the
general Contractor.
1969, 1970, 1971 | Much prayer and effort are put
into the planning and financing of the nursing home
project. Many dedicated volunteers keep the vision
alive even in the rough times. elmer houtsma is
hired as the administrator for the new community.
7
Moments of Our History...
1968 • • • • 1970 • • • • 1972 • • • • 1974 • • • • 1976 • • • • 1978 • • • • 1980 • • • • 1982 • • • • 1984 • • • • 1986 • • • • 1988 • • • • 19
May 1972 | a Service of dedication is held for the
university hills Christian nursing home.
March 1975 | a land purchase agreement is signed
with bethesda to buy 5-2/3 acres, including the land
across the street from the nursing home. a planning
committee of the board has already begun to make
plans for a retirement community (Phase 2).
March 1982 | Construction begins on the retirement
community, the Christian living Center.
June 15, 1983 | The living Center opens with great
success, and is completely filled by august 1st.
September 1984 | Construction begins on Phase 3 of
the university hills master plan, adding 32 nursing
home and 30 assisted living beds, building a new
dining room and office area, remodeling the kitchen,
turning the old dining room into a new activities
room, and putting in some beautiful landscaping.
1985 | The Christian living Campus foundation is
formed to help ensure the financial future of ClC.
1987, 1988, 1989 | The helen K. and arthur e.
Johnson foundation gives several grants to ClC for
the purchase of land on arapahoe road. Construction
begins on the Johnson Center, including assisted
living, nursing care, & a specialized alzheimer’s unit.