2023 ANNUAL REPORT
Our ability to provide essential services for older adult relies on a variety of revenue sources. Crown Center maintains relationships with local and national organizations that are guided by similar missions of enabling older adults to live independently and with dignity.
Chused Cultural Arts Fund
Gloria Cohen Volunteer Fund
Saul & Marilyn Dien Program Fund
Birdie Fischer Fund
Goldman-Prince Charitable Fund
Nikki Goldstein Resident Needs Fund
Lopata Fitness Fund
Neal Novack Music Fund
Jean Sloofman Payuk Fund
Myla Rosenblum Learning Fund
Steven Rosenblum Fund
Lillian Samet Social Work Fund
The Silk Foundation Technology Fund
Benjamin & Ida Tallin Fund
Martin & Ethel Wishnuff Birthday Fund
Aging Well Healthcare
Aging Ahead
Ameren Missouri
Anonymous
Berger Memorial
Ephraim Block Charitable Trust
Boeing Employees Community Fund
Gladys K. Crown Foundation
Cruse Charitable Trust
Max & Drew Erlich Charitable Trust
The FS Foundation, Inc.
Ruth Greenberg Memorial Trust of the St. Louis Community Foundation
Sidney & Bobette Guller Family Foundation
JCA Charitable Foundation
$1.28
Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Jossem Fund, a supporting fund of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Kahn Foundation of Temple Israel
Albert and Ruth Kopolow
Edward and Thea Lawton Foundation
Lopata Charitable Foundation
Lubin-Green Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Marillac Mission Fund
Meals on Wheels America
The Pinkerton Foundation
Regional Business Council
Rindskopf-Roth Funeral Chapel
Royal Banks of Missouri
Rehab Professionals, Inc.
Russell HBD
St. Louis Jewish Light
The Martin Silk Foundation
Staenberg Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
The Trio Foundation of St. Louis
Veterans United Foundation
Waxman Associates
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Women’s Auxiliary Foundation for Jewish Aged, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis
Andy Thorp Executive Director
Mark Rubin Board President
we are filled with gratitude for the progress and achievements that have shaped our journey. In 2023, Crown Center embraced change, celebrated milestones, and continued to prioritize our mission of serving older adults with dedication and compassion.
Here are some highlights from the year:
We successfully relocated 32 residents from the Tallin Building to our new building. This transition allowed us to enhance their living experience and create a more vibrant community. We welcomed 30 new residents during 2023 and early 2024. Our staff has worked tirelessly to ensure that these new residents felt at home from day one.
We bid a fond farewell to Nikki Goldstein, who retired after 23 years of dedicated service. Nikki’s impact on Crown Center has been immeasurable, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the esteemed Council of Life.
Throughout 2023, our focus remained on our residents. We continued to provide healthy meals, supportive services, and high-quality programming. Our community thrives because of the warmth and inclusivity that each person contributes. Crown Center remains a welcoming place for all.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who makes Crown Center a remarkable place. Together, we continue to build a future where compassion, community, and care intersect.
Crown’s dedicated team of social work professionals remains committed to supporting our clients as they navigate the complexities of aging. Our services encompass a range of support, from the provision of kosher Meals on Wheels to offering case management, counseling, crisis intervention, aid in accessing benefits, and facilitating connections with community resources.
19,744 kosher meals were prepared and delivered to clients.
120 residents and 70 community seniors rely on Meals on Wheels for their daily nutritional needs.
1,801 social work contacts were made.
180 residents and 41 non-residents utilized services provided by Crown’s social services staff.
1,548 volunteer hours were spent preparing and delivering meals.
MAX’S STORY
When Max and his wife purchased their home, they were determined to live there forever. Despite the passage of time and the challenges they faced as they aged, Max took pride in maintaining their home while caring for his wife.
When Max discovered Crown Center’s kosher Meals on Wheels program, he reached out, hopeful that it could provide much-needed support for him and his wife. When Crown’s social workers heard about the struggles that Max
was having with shopping and meal preparation, they shared information on qualifying for the program. The program considered their struggles with shopping and meal preparation, factors that weighed heavily on Max.
Shortly after reaching out, Max and his wife found themselves greeted at their doorstep by a volunteer with ten freshly prepared, nutritious meals. Initially hesitant to accept help, Max was pleasantly surprised
by how much they looked forward to the deliveries, as they discovered a new source of joy: their compassionate meal delivery person. Their interactions blossomed into a genuine friendship, and Max and his wife eagerly anticipated each visit.
Through Crown’s kosher Meals on Wheels program, they found a sense of belonging and connection, experiencing firsthand the warmth and support that Crown Center extends to all of its clients.
When Polina first arrived at Crown Center in 1996, she embarked on a new chapter in her life, supported by the Jewish Federation of St. Louis’ efforts to assist Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union.
Despite the challenges she faced, Polina found solace and belonging within the welcoming community of Crown Center. Here, surrounded by fellow immigrants who shared similar experiences, she quickly formed bonds that felt like family.
Nearly three decades later, Polina reflects on her journey. Although her family is nearby, she cherishes her independence. Living in the same apartment she moved into years ago, Polina has noticed a shift in what she had become accustomed to.
The community she once knew so well has changed, and while many things have improved, it sometimes leaves her feeling somewhat disconnected. Even with the weekly Russian translator’s assistance, navigating daily
life has become more challenging.
Yet, Polina remains resilient. She finds comfort and joy in the programming offered at Crown Center, particularly the celebrations of Jewish holidays, Klezmer concerts, and the monthly Russian/ Yiddish language sing-a-longs.
Despite the shrinking of her social circle, Polina finds that Crown Center continues to provide her with the best quality of life, for which she is deeply grateful.
Resident engagement is a cornerstone of community living, particularly in senior settings. These opportunities not only enrich the lives of residents, but also foster a strong sense of belonging and purpose. By participating in the resident’s council, volunteering at Crown’s welcome desk and enjoying time with other residents at the Friday morning coffee gatherings, residents have the chance to connect with one another, give of their time and enjoy life at Crown Center.
26 Jewish life experiences were offered –holiday, music, eduction and cultural events.
60 hands-on creative experiences were offered including writing, cooking, acting, art and gardening.
155 individuals experienced visual, theater, dance and musical performances.
40 were non-residents.
654 volunteer hours were contributed by residents within the Crown community.
Engaging programming tailored for senior adults plays a pivotal role in enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for Crown residents and neighbors. By offering programs that cater to their interests and abilities, seniors are provided with opportunities for social interaction, cognitive stimulation, and physical activity. These programs foster a sense of belonging and purpose, encouraging those who attend to remain active and involved in their community. Whether it’s art classes, fitness sessions, educational workshops, or cultural outings, Crown offers the highest quality programs.
100 unique participants per month attended and participated in Crown Center programs.
30 were non-residents.
49 outings to local restaurants, performances, and cultural events hosted in nearby venues.
34 trips were to essential destinations such as the grocery store.
Returning to her childhood home in U City after living in another state for most of her adult life was a humbling experience for Francine. She realized the importance of being close to family as she aged but had unfortunately lost touch with most of her childhood friends. While happy to be back in U City, she hoped to find a new community with similar interests.
As a social person, Francine looked for ways to stay active and remembered Crown Center from when her aunt
lived there. After exploring Crown’s website and seeing the wide range of programs, she decided to try a Forever Fitness class.
Despite initial concerns about being the only non-resident in the class, she felt welcomed from the start and met attendees who lived at Crown and in the surrounding neighborhood.
Now, these new friends have all decided to attend a Crown Center bus trip to a jazz concert at a local performance venue. These opportunities
have helped Francine befriend both Crown residents and neighbors.
And as Francine considers the challenges of managing her own home, she decided to apply for an apartment at Crown Center. Knowing she already felt a connection there provided a sense of reassurance for her future.
FRANCINE’S STORY
Targeted for Summer 2024, the new Crown Center Phase 1 apartment building (52 units) and the Staenberg Commons will be completed. Included will be a community room, art studio, culinary kitchen, fitness center, seating areas, outdoor patios, gardens, and both management and resource offices. Throughout the entire community, new artwork and donor signage will be installed and the parking lot and new front entrance to Crown Center will be completed.
Looking ahead, Phase II is on the horizon. This phase involves the construction of a new apartment building (68 units), covered parking as well as extensive renovations of the existing Weinberg Building. When combined with Phase I and the Weinberg Building, Crown Center will have a total of 238 affordable apartments. To achieve this vision, Crown will rely not only on Federal Low-Income Tax Credits but also on additional philanthropic support.
Crown Center for Senior Living
8350 Delcrest Drive
St. Louis, MO 63124
crowncenterstl.org
314-991-2055
Crown Center is 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 Jewish values and traditions.
OF DIRECTORS
Mark Rubin
President Andy Thorp
Executive Director
Sally Altman
Amy Bender-Levy
Scott Bernstein
Emily Caine
Dan Cohen
Pamela Dern
Todd Goldenhersh
Sheldon Harber
Josh Hutkins
Alvah Levine
Estelle Rochman
Darryl Sagel
Erin Schuver
Michelle Schwerin
Ann Spector
Clifford Tager
Jody Waldman
Cindy Lander Wallach
OF LIFE MEMBERS
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