Board of Social Ministry, a Minnesota non-profit provider of housing and services for older adults, announced last week that it has changed its name to Ecumen. The Ecumen name is accompanied by the tagline ñ Living fully after 50. The new name illustrates Ecumenís focus on providing a range of housing and services along the continuum of life.

The name Ecumen comes from the word Ecumenical, which in turn is derived from the root Greek word for house or home: ìoikos.î The name ties directly to Ecumenís promise to ìcreate home for older adults wherever they choose to live.î

Green Acres Country Care Center is a member of the Ecumen family. Green Acres and all other Ecumen residences will maintain their local names as part of Ecumenís decentralized branding strategy.

ìThis is an exciting time in our organizationís history,î said Steve Mork, administrator of Green Acres County Care Center. ìIn addition to the organizationís new name, we have a new leader who is committed to a localized approach and innovation to meet communitiesí differing needs.î

Kathryn Roberts became Ecumenís president and CEO last year. Roberts is one of the few people in Minnesota who has been appointed to leadership positions by Democratic, Republican and Independent governors.

She began her career in long-term care, helping to deinstitutionalize the developmentally disabled. In 1986, she became director of the Minnesota Zoo. Roberts came to Ecumen from the Minneapolis Foundation, where she was vice president of community philanthropy. She also served as chair of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission, which owns and operates the Metrodome, and led the effort to sue Major League Baseball during its attempt to contract the Minnesota Twins.

ìOur region is undergoing an unprecedented change as communities age,î said Roberts. ìOur new name is integral to our strategy of becoming the provider of choice as communities across the region work to provide innovative senior housing options and services that allow for independence and enriching, rewarding life experiences.î

An example of that innovation in North Branch has been Green Acres Country Care Centerís Therapy Village program, dementia care program, the High School Health Careers Class. In addition to Uptown Maple Commons that won the State Innovation of the year award for its many partnerships to create an affordable living and community service center facility.

Ecumen, based in Shoreview, Minn., provides a variety of housing choices and services along the continuum of life for people 50-years of age and above. Ecumen has more than 4,000 team members who provide housing options and services in more than 100 communities in the Upper Midwest. Its for-profit consulting division, Ecumen Consulting Services, provides consulting services nationwide. Ecumen is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

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