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| Our History
The Beginning - Sanborn Place & Home Care
In 1979, several interested members of the First Congregational Church of Reading incorporated United Church Homes of Reading, Inc. for the purpose of developing low-income housing for seniors. Sanborn Place, a Housing and Urban Development 202 program, opened in 1982. Sanborn Place would serve as independent low-income housing for seniors and disabled/handicapped persons for the next 14 years. By 1996, the Board of Directors became increasingly aware and concerned for their aging population of seniors. Those living at Sanborn Place were now in need of additional services and programs in order to maintain their independence. In 1996 the Board of Directors made a concerted effort to further commit and expand on the mission. They invested in the leadership of a new Director, along with diversifying outside of the Congregational Church, recruiting community members, residents and family members on to the Board .
The Journey of Supportive Living - Sanborn Home Care
In early 1997, with new leadership onboard and the support of residents and families, the concept of supportive living in independent housing began. Through use of HUD funding a strong Resident Services Program evolved. The Resident Services Coordinator, working closely with the management team and the Sanborn Place Resident Council, assessed, reviewed and developed both individual plans of care for the residents living at Sanborn Place and programs that would benefit them in the future. Issues of concern that would arise were geographic relationships to service providers/vendors. Reading, being just outside the metro Boston area, made it difficult to secure accountable service vendors. In theory and on paper, it would look as if home/health care services were in place. However, it was soon recognized that gaps and sporadic care were issues. It was then determined that a sister corporation would be formed to care for the residents. Thus, Sanborn Home Care was born, becoming the primary service and programs provider for Sanborn Place.
In 1998, Sanborn Place and Sanborn Home Care would serve as sister corporations under the umbrella of United Church Homes of Reading, Inc. Sanborn Home Care is now available to provide all the necessary services allowing for an individual to age in place. Later that year Sanborn Home Care expanded out to the community at large offering many of the same services to those waiting on our wait list and those who chose to remain in their own homes. A partnership with the Reading Housing Authority was developed, bringing services to other community clustered senior housing. Today we continue to strive and build on our foundation as we build for the future.
About Us Sanborn Place & Home Care are active members of many state and local organizations: MA Aging, AAHSA, CHAPA, NEEHA, NEAHMA, MARSH, Alzheimer's Association, Reading Rotary Club and the Reading Chamber of Commerce. Strong alliances and working partnerships have also been developed with Mystic Valley Elder Services, the Reading Housing Authority, Middlesex Visiting Nurses Association, Winchester Hospital, Hallmark Health, area Nursing, Rehab Centers and Adult Day Programs; State Depts. of EOEA, DMH, DMR & MASS REHAB, HUD and Mass Housing.
The community is always welcome at Sanborn Place. Staffing is made available to assist and volunteer  with activities of interest for seniors in the community. Annual events are open to the public including Holiday Open House, Easter Egg Hunt, and the Halloween Party.
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