Add your idea »

Methodist Conference Home


Question:

How can MCH market to and cost-effectively provide services such as case management, transportation, or home assistance to seniors with limited resources who are spread out and hard to access?

Mission:  Methodist Conference Home, Inc. fulfills vital needs in mid-coast Maine by enhancing self-sufficiency and quality of life for individuals, primarily the elderly and disabled.

Programs:

  • Own and/or manage 147 units of elderly housing
  • Resident services programs in three housing facilities serving approximately 45 individuals
  • Meals on Wheels program in Knox County
  • Transportation program in Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties and Brunswick and Harpswell

History:

  • 1969:  MCH opens its doors with 48 units of congregate housing for seniors
  • 1972:  MCH takes over home-delivered meal program from local Methodist Church
  • 1979:  MCH becomes demonstration site for HUD funded Congregate Housing Services Program  1980 Methodist Conference Home takes over transportation for seniors in Knox County
  • 1983:  Transportation program incorporated as Coastal Trans, recognized as regional transportation provider
  • 1998:  MCH opens Bartlett Woods Retirement Community
  • 2005:  Door to Door specialized transportation program for seniors starts up

Organizational Structure:

Methodist Conference Home, Inc. parent corporation.  Three subsidiary corporations:  Coastal Trans (transportation), Summer Street Housing Preservation (owner of 50 unit housing facility) and ElderServ (housing management).  MCH, Inc. has 17 member board, smaller boards for subsidiary corporations.  Lee Karker is Executive Director of organization.  Management team includes: Finance Director, Food Service Director, Transportation Director, Resident Services Director, Housing Director.  Half-time position for fundraising and grantwriting.  50+ employees full and part time.

Financial:  2007 budget was $3,270,555

Revenues:

Federal, State, & Municipal:  $2,114,228

Rental Payments:  $336,943

Fundraising, Grants:  $265,165

*Housing Management:  $258,677

*Resident Services:  $80,059

*Transportation Fares:  $48,358

Other:  $94,712

Total:  $3,198,142

Costs by program:

Transportation:  $1,684,152

Housing:  $917,528

Nutrition:  $256,371

Residential Services:  $218,505

Housing Management:  $193,999

Total:  $3,270,555

*Fee for service income

Demographics:  60+ population in Maine projected to grow by 27% between 2000 and 2010.  Knox and Lincoln two of the oldest counties in the state.  In 2006 18.4% of pop. of Lincoln County (6,483) and 17.3% of pop. of Knox (7,110) over 65.  Statewide 14.6%

Growth Goal:  Expand community based services to serve older adults in their homes.  Increase proportion of fee for service income.  Increase fundraising income.  Decrease dependence on public funding.

Strengths:  MCH is unusual in that it provides both housing and housing-based services as well as community-based services including transportation and meals.  MCH has 40 years of experience serving the elderly and disabled.  MCH has strong support in the community, especially for Meals on Wheels program.  Skills in place to expand services to seniors and disabled individuals in the local community.  Growing fundraising capabilities.

Challenges:  Diversifying income sources.  Operating more efficiently to stretch limited revenues.  Raising our profile in the community.  Marketing more effectively.  Locating and serving elderly of moderate means outside of our housing facilities in a predominantly rural service area.

Question: How can MCH market to and cost-effectively provide services such as case management, transportation, or home assistance to seniors with limited resources who are spread out and hard to access?

See PowerPoint presentation