Campaign Case Statement

Building a Community

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“Do not cast me away at the time of old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me.”

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— Psalm/Tehillem chapter 71

Building on a Solid Foundation CROWN CENTER FOR SENIOR LIVING

Crown Center, Inc. was established in 1995

(“Crown Center”) is unique in St. Louis. No

to support Crown’s “whole person” approach;

other nonprofit offers Crown Center’s strong

offering programs and services to both residents

community and breadth of services for all

and retirees in the surrounding area.

income levels of older adults. Founded in 1967 by the National Council of Jewish Women, Crown Center began with the Tallin Building’s independent living apartments, and in 1995 added the Weinberg Building, creating a total of 244 units.

Crown Center’s programs are designed to enhance the lives of older adults, and to bolster their ability to prevent decline and frailty through social connectedness, physical activity and meaningful engagement.

The Crown Center community is diverse and dynamic. Rooted in the Jewish tradition to care for our elders, Crown Center values each and every individual and proudly serves a diverse community. Ranging in age from 62 to 98+, clients have varying nationalities, religions, income levels, capabilities, needs, and interests.

Building on Success With a 50 year track record and a current

An investment in Crown Center is an investment

occupancy rate over 98%, Crown Center is a

in the only St. Louis affordable senior housing

successful, financially stable nonprofit agency.

provider that is also a neighborhood hub and

With a strong staff and a dedicated board of

resource for retirees in the area.

directors, the time is right to invest in the physical infrastructure to ensure that Crown

PHILANTHROPIC PRIORITIES:

Center can continue to grow and serve

Community Living Center: $3 million

seniors in need.

• Community gardens & greenhouse • Culinary demonstration kitchen • Art & media studios • Wellness & fitness center • Multi-purpose rooms • Resource offices Programs and services for residents and community clients: an additional $1 million

“I just never expected my retirement years would be this much fun.”

— Faye G.

Building to Meet the Need AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES

FACILITIES FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

Crown Center leadership is committed to

Though well maintained and safe, the original

assisting older adults with limited financial

Tallin apartment building is now obsolete.

resources to live fully and with joy, security and

The systems are no longer functional and are

dignity. Crown Center offers an excellent caring

impossible to replace. In addition, the building

community, with programs, services and access

is energy inefficient, without seismic durability

to resources for a diverse clientele.

and lacking the most up-to-date fire protection

• 60% of residents are members of a minority or immigrant group • 80% of residents live on an annual income under $25,000 • 20% of residents live on an annual income under $15,000

systems.

The apartments and common areas are not adequately accessible for those with mobility and sensory limitations.

To address these challenges, the board of

Many face challenges including mobility

directors engaged experts to evaluate the

impairments, visual or hearing limitations,

facilities. After careful consideration, it became

and limited familial support.

clear that the only way forward was to replace the Tallin Building, with the following considerations: • The 10-story building will be replaced with two 4-story apartment buildings.

• The apartment buildings will be constructed in two phases so as not to displace residents.

• A new Community Living Center will be built on the first floor of the Phase 1 apartment building.

Phase I COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER & 52 APARTMENTS Building a Community Living Center, with connector spaces, will expand the

EXISTING CROWN CENTER

Currently Crown Center consists of the Weinberg Building (left) and the Tallin Building (right) and an entrance in the center that serves as a link.

life-enhancing programs and services we offer to residents as well as local neighbors. The 10-story Tallin Building will be replaced with two 4-story apartment buildings. One of these buildings will be completed in Phase I.

Phase II

PHASE I

A new Phase I building will built to house the Community Living Center and 52 apartments.

68 APARTMENTS The Phase II 4-story apartment building will be completed, which together with Phase I will result in 120 affordable apartments.

Extensive renovation of the existing Weinberg Building will bring another 118 affordable apartments up to current standards for access and usability, resulting

For the completion of Phase I, the Tallin Building will be demolished and a new connector/entrance will be built to link all of the buildings on campus.

in a total of 238 units on our site.

THE COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER is the only aspect of this project to be funded with private charitable dollars. The new and renovated apartments will be funded using Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits and a minimal mortgage.

PHASE II

Phase II apartment building will be constructed and the existing Weinberg Building will be renovated.

Building a Place to Live, Learn & Connect COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER More than a senior residence, Crown Center

The physical facilities will help create a wel-

is a well-respected and highly utilized

coming atmosphere where all seniors feel they

community center also accessible to older

belong. The 12,500 square foot CLC will have

adults living in the area.

a designated entrance, making it accessible for

The new Community Living Center (“CLC”) will be the centerpiece of the Crown Center

community clients, while making it secure for Crown Center residents.

campus and will be available for residents as

Comfortable spaces will accommodate those

well as more than 300 retirees in surrounding

with mobility, vision or hearing challenges.

neighborhoods.

Areas will be usable for celebrations and will

The goal is to help our residents and neighbors remain active, live independently, and find meaning and purpose, no matter their financial circumstances.

offer privacy when necessary. Lighting, seating, table heights, flooring, wall coverings, technology and acoustics will be scaled to maximize use.

“Look at all the programs they offer for the whole community.

All seniors are welcome to take part in what’s offered here.”

— Bonnie J.

AARP research shows that nearly 90% of seniors

Through collaborations with other respected

over age 65 prefer to live in their home and

agencies, Crown Center provides valuable

community as long as possible. By providing

resources for low-income seniors who wouldn’t

“barrier free” programs and services, Crown

otherwise have access.

allows low-income seniors the ability to live independently, whether at Crown Center or in the surrounding neighborhood.

Key program partners include:

• COCA – Artist-in-Residence and arts programs

• Oasis – Adult learning and physical fitness opportunities •W ashington University – Crown Center serves as a research and practicum site for graduate level social work and public health students.

Our programs reflect Jewish values and traditions.

“I was an aging man living alone. About nine months after my wife passed away, I came to live at Crown Center. Now, my life is full. I can keep kosher and celebrate the Jewish holidays with my new friends.

Had I remained at home, I would be lonely. But here, with people of all backgrounds living around me, Crown Center is like a little village.

Living here, I feel honored as someone who has been on this earth a long time. My life is enriched by this community.”

8350 Delcrest Drive St. Louis, MO 63124-2166 phone: (314) 991-2055 e-mail: info@crowncenterstl.org

OUR MISSION

Crown Center is an organization dedicated to providing affordable, high quality living and services to enable residents to flourish independently, creating inspiring programming to enable both residents and other community seniors to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, and honoring our Jewish values and traditions.

CROWN CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COUNCIL OF LIFE MEMBERS

Sally Altman

Les Borowsky Jeffrey Cohen Ted Flom Betsy Garland Randall Green Petie Karsh Joe Marchbein Jeffrey Rosenblum Steven Rosenblum Richard Tallin Miriam Wilhelm

President Nikki Goldstein Executive Director Amy Bender-Levy Scott Bernstein Keith Cohen Leah Frankel Todd Goldenhersh Sheldon Harber James Kolker Alvah Levine Sylvia Nissenboim Nancy Novack Estelle Rochman Mark Rubin Darryl Sagel Jill Schupp Erin Schuver Barbara Schwartz Michelle Schwerin Ann Spector David Steinbach Cindy Lander Wallach