GLENDALE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two nonprofit organizations—be.group and the National Charity League, Inc., Glendale Chapter—today announced that they have agreed to transfer management and control of Twelve Oaks Lodge, a 4½-acre senior assisted living facility in the neighboring Glendale/La Crescenta area.
Terms were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close by August 14, 2015.
"Twelve Oaks was closed in 2013 because the wooded and hilly property was no longer appropriate for meeting the needs of its increasingly older and frailer population," said John Cochrane, president and CEO of be.group. "The community could not be modified to meet be.group's standards despite extensive efforts to do so. Prior to the closure, we assisted residents in relocating to other facilities, including several to other nearby be.group communities."
be.group is a nonprofit organization that operates licensed senior living communities and very-low-income senior housing communities throughout California. Formerly known as Southern California Presbyterian Homes, it was founded in Glendale in 1955, remains headquartered there, and is active in regional and community affairs.
Twelve Oaks will be managed by its owner, the Twelve Oaks Foundation, with assistance and guidance of the National Charity League, Inc., Glendale Chapter, which operated the facility until 2002.
"We are excited to resume the close connection between NCL Glendale and Twelve Oaks Lodge and appreciate the opportunity to return the Lodge to its original purpose of serving the elderly and needy of the San Gabriel Valley community," said Gabriel Mendham, Immediate Past President of NCL Glendale.
"Since its incorporation in 1953," Ms. Mendham explained, "assisting the elderly has been a primary focus of NCL Glendale. Our members began a building fund with the hope of one day maintaining our own home for the elderly. James and Effie Fifield had also recognized the need for a home for the elderly and in 1935 had deeded their home in what was then Verdugo City to the Verdugo Hills Sunshine Society, which Effie founded for the purpose of serving the elderly. The Sunshine Society raised funds to build cottages and to purchase additional land to create the uniquely verdant, 4½ acre property known as Twelve Oaks. In 1963, NCL Glendale opted to donate its $50,000 building fund to Verdugo Hills Sunshine Society to build a nine-unit residence hall on the property. For the next thirteen years, NCL Glendale provided countless volunteer hours and financial support. Finding the NCL Glendale members to be kindred souls in their concern for the elderly, in 1976, the Sunshine Society asked NCL Glendale to take over control and management of Twelve Oaks Lodge."
Ms. Mendham added that for the next 37 years, Twelve Oaks was the primary philanthropy of NCL Glendale. Mothers and daughters of NCL Glendale worked side by side at Twelve Oaks Lodge, painting railings, tending the gardens, reading books, serving food, offering friendship to the residents, and fundraising tirelessly on behalf of the home. During NCL Glendale's management of the home, Twelve Oaks added a two-story building, as well as a dining pavilion.
About be.group
be.group is a California nonprofit organization that operates seven licensed senior living communities and 26 very-low-income housing communities throughout the state. It also provides resources to help seniors achieve goals related to their health and well-being. Its 1,300 staff members serve nearly 4,000 residents. Formerly known as Southern California Presbyterian Homes, be.group was founded in Glendale, California in 1955, has remained based there ever since, and is active in regional and community affairs.
About National Charity League, Inc., Glendale Chapter
NCL Glendale is the oldest chapter of National Charity League, Inc., a mother-daughter nonprofit philanthropic organization dedicated to providing volunteer service and financial assistance to local organizations. For nearly 60 years, mother and daughter members from Glendale, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta, Montrose, and nearby communities have volunteered thousands of hours and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to needy organizations to further NCL Glendale's mission.