Solheim’s Mission

Now:  “The mission of Solheim Senior Community is to provide abundant living for older adults in a caring faith-based community filled with love, peace, dignity, and security.”  (Adopted January 1995; revised November 2019)

Then:  The first Board of Directors committed themselves to “establish and maintain a Home for worthy aged persons of Norwegian birth or descent and other aged persons as may desire a Christian home.” (From the By-Laws of The Norwegian Lutheran Society for the Aged, adopted November 11, 1923)

Both statements concentrate on the people being served, whose well-being is the primary concern, accomplished through a nurturing and stable environment.  The commitment to this mission has not changed in 100 years.  They are noticeably different in tone, language, and scope, however.  No more “Good Old Folks smiling up at you through tear-dimmed eyes of Love” (from the original appeal).  “Aged” has been replaced by “older adults” or “seniors”.  And Solheim has gone from exclusivity (Norwegians – and worthy ones at that!) to inclusivity (with ethnic and religious diversity in both the current residents and the staff).