Building a Community Phase II
“Do not cast me away at the time of old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me.”
— Psalm/Tehillem
chapter 71
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Building on a Solid Foundation
Crown Center for Senior Living (Crown Center) is unique in St. Louis. No other nonprofit offers Crown Center’s strong community and breadth of services for older adults of all income levels. 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, Inc. was established in 1995 to support Crown’s “whole person” approach, offering programs and services to both residents and retirees in the surrounding area.
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 connection, 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 occupancy rate over 98%, Crown Center is a successful, financially stable nonprofit agency. Fueled by a strong staff and a dedicated board of directors, the time is right to invest in the physical infrastructure to ensure that Crown Center can continue to grow and serve seniors in need.
“I just never expected my retirement years would be this much fun.”
— Faye G.
An investment in Crown Center is an investment in the only St. Louis affordable senior housing provider that is also a neighborhood hub and resource for retirees in the area.
PHILANTHROPIC PRIORITIES:
• Crown Center Phase II Building
• Crown Center Endowment
• Weinberg Building improvements
• Circle@Crown Cafe renovations
• Programs and services for residents and community clients
BuildingMeettothe Need
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SERVICES
Crown Center leadership is committed to assisting older adults with limited financial resources to live fully and with joy, security and dignity. Crown Center offers an excellent caring community with programs, services and access to resources for a diverse clientele.
• 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
Many face challenges including mobility impairments, visual or hearing limitations, and limited familial support.
Phase I
COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER & 52 APARTMENTS
CROWN CENTER 1995 - 2023
Crown Center consisted of the Weinberg Building (left) and the Tallin Building (right) and an entrance in the center that served as a link.
PHASE IA
Completed
A new Phase 1 building was built to house the Staenberg Commons and 52 apartments.
To Be summercompleted 2024
PHASE IB
For the completion of Phase I, the Tallin Building was demolished freeing up space for Phase II construction.
To Be wintercompleted 2027
Building the Staenberg CommonsCommunity Living Center with connector spaces will expand the life-enhancing programs and services we offer to residents as well as local neighbors. The 10-story Tallin Building will be replaced with two 5-story apartment buildings. One of these buildings will be completed in Phase I.
Phase II
68 APARTMENTS
The Phase II 5-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 in a total of 238 units on our site.
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
THE STAENBERG COMMONSCOMMUNITY LIVING CENTER
More than a senior residence, Crown Center is a well-respected and highly utilized community center accessible to all older adults living in the area.
The new Staenberg Commons is the centerpiece of the Crown Center campus and is available for residents as well as more than 300 retirees in surrounding neighborhoods.
The goal is to help our residents and neighbors remain active, live independently, and find meaning and purpose, no matter their financial circumstances.
The physical facilities will help create a welcoming atmosphere where all seniors feel they belong. The 12,500 square foot Staenberg Commons will have a designated entrance, making it accessible for community clients, while also making it secure for Crown Center residents.
Comfortable spaces will accommodate those with mobility, vision or hearing challenges. Areas will be usable for celebrations and will offer privacy when necessary. Lighting, seating, table heights, flooring, wall coverings, technology and acoustics will be scaled to maximize use.
Completed
AARP research shows that nearly 90% of seniors over age 65 prefer to live in their home and community as long as possible. By providing “barrier free” programs and services, Crown allows low-income seniors the ability to live independently, whether at Crown Center or in the surrounding neighborhood.
“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.
Through collaborations with other respected institutions and agencies, Crown Center provides valuable opportunites for low-income seniors who wouldn’t otherwise have access.
Key program partners include:
• COCA and Contemporary Art MuseumArts programming
• Oasis – Adult learning and physical fitness opportunities
• Washington University – Crown 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.”
– Charlie M.
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
Mark Rubin President
Andy Thorp Executive Director
Amy Bender-Levy
Scott Bernstein
Emily Caine
Dan Cohen
Pamela Dern
Todd Goldenhersh
Sheldon Harber
Josh Hutkins
Alvah Levine
Estelle Rochman
Darryl Sagel
Jill Schupp
Erin Schuver
Michelle Schwerin
Ann Spector
Clifford Tager
Jody Waldman
Cindy Lander Wallach
COUNCIL OF LIFE MEMBERS
Sally Altman
Les Borowsky
Jeffrey Cohen
Keith Cohen
Ted Flom
Betsy Garland
Nikki Goldstein
Randall Green
Petie Karsh
Joe Marchbein
Merle Miller (z”l)
Jeffrey Rosenblum
Steven Rosenblum
Richard Tallin
Miriam Wilhelm
