The Story of TCMH Community

Mission/Values

Rooted in faith, Tri-County Mennonite Homes provides leadership in service to seniors and developmentally disabled individuals by dedicated staff and volunteers.

We believe....

..Christian principles guide our actions.

Tri-County Mennonite Homes (TCMH) was established based on the principles of the Mennonite church. These principles include compassion, mutual aid, peace and justice, and service to others.

..staff members are integral to the services we provide.

Staff members live out the mission of TCMH in practical terms. They share their lives with residents and supported individuals, continually demonstrating their dedication, commitment and skill as they carry out the task of creating a caring community.

..volunteers make a "difference".

Dedicated volunteers enhance the quality of life that residents and supported individuals experience by adding value to TCMH's programs and services. Volunteers also help to maintain relationships and connections with the surrounding community.

.. in service that provides choices and personal preferences.

Our commitment is to give opportunities for individuals to express their opinions and concerns in an atmosphere of caring and love where they know that those comments will be considered. The well being of the individual has priority in an environment of dignity and respect.

..in promoting communities of "wellness".

We seek to consider the "whole" person, taking into account the physical, spiritual, social and emotional needs of an individual while balancing personal preferences with community harmony.

..in providing opportunities for growth and development.

TCMH strives to enhance the development of knowledge, skills and abilities of staff, volunteers and the people we serve.

..in striving for quality improvement.

TCMH is a leader in providing quality care, housing and programs. It is our intention to provide innovative services and programs, balancing this with integrity as we meet the needs of residents and clients.

..in partnering with surrounding communities.

       Where possible TCMH will

• make our facilities, programs and services available

• provide resources for local churches, schools, service clubs, and other groups

• support community initiatives

• provide opportunity for surrounding communities to give support

• provide volunteer and employment opportunities for local individuals

It is our objective to build and maintain healthy communities where supported individuals and residents can continue to be active and vital participants.

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History

In 1967, the Western Ontario Mennonite Conference appointed a study committee to investigate the possibilities of building a new Home for the Aged and sell its Nursing Homes located in Tavistock and Milverton. By 1968, delegates had decided to locate the new home in New Hamburg under a completely new charter. Tri-County Mennonite Homes (TCMH) was born and today it continues to own and operate Nithview Community and Greenwood Court, two seniors’ continuum of care homes and Aldaview Services, a program supporting developmentally disabled adults.

While TCMH has grown significantly over the last 35 years, its growth has not always been easy. Many of its expansion projects required much perseverance, patience, and stamina to get underway. Overcoming obstacles and roadblocks almost seemed to be the norm rather than an occasional occurrence. However, the strength of the original vision and the encouragement of its member constituency seemed to provide the required energy for the Board and administration to push forward to accomplish its goals.

On April 2, 1972, Nithview Home admitted its first residents and began the journey to its current status as a Continuum of Care Home providing accommodation and programs to more than 260 residents living in garden homes, apartments, assisted and supported living suites and long-term care rooms. Over the years, more than 5 major construction projects and renovations have been undertaken, with the most recent one being completed in 2004. In recognition of the variety of programming and accommodation options now available, Nithview Home and Seniors’ Village have been renamed Nithview Community.

Some of the early plans of the Board took different directions when obstacles were encountered. The Milverton home, slated to be sold when Nithview was built, continued to be operated by TCMH until 1994. An attempt to sell the Milverton home, and a number of attempts to acquire more beds and reconstruct the home failed. An invitation given to move Milverton’s beds to Stratford and to build a new complex there brought new hope for a solution to a difficult situation. News that TCMH might build in Stratford prompted the Avon Mennonite Church to initiate a meeting to inquire whether TCMH might be interested in a joint project that would include the Avon Church as a partner.

In 1994, that partnership became a reality. Greenwood Court opened its doors as continuum of care that included long-term care beds, assisted living units, and life lease and rental apartment suites and Avon Mennonite Church welcomed its members to a new place of worship at the same location. Avon and Greenwood Court operate in the same building with each entity having its own space and the two organizations sharing an auditorium, auxiliary kitchen, community room and other meeting rooms.

Discussions between TCMH and the Church Conference Mission Board to open a “Retarded Children’s Day Care Centre” led to the completion of a group home for ‘retarded children” in 1979. The new home, located on the same site as the Nithview Seniors’ Village, was named Aldaview. In 1984, Aldaview rented a house, located on Waterloo St. in New Hamburg, from the Lions’ Club and welcomed 6 new adult residents into that home. In 1990, further expansion welcomed tenants into the first Supported Independent Living (SIL) apartments.

In 1994, the TCMH Board received approval to change the children’s home to an adult home, making the entire Aldaview operation a program for adults. Over the years, Aldaview has rented numerous buildings to expand its services to developmentally disabled adults. In 2004, the New Hamburg Lions Club donated 140 Waterloo St. and a vacant lot to Aldaview. This donation was the catalyst to build the Riehl House on Hillcrest Ave. The Riehl House, specifically designed for 4 residents, was officially opened in 2005. More recently, a house at 70 Ritz Ave. in New Hamburg was purchased to provide additional accommodation for individuals.

Although Tri-County Mennonite Homes is the legal entity under which all of the divisions have operated since 1968, it wasn’t until 1989 that the TCMH Board appointed an Executive Director to lead the organization and develop a corporate office. As the organization grew, the responsibilities of the TCMH corporate office expanded. Today, the TCMH corporate office provides support to its divisions in several areas including human resources, accounting, development, capital expansion, information technology and strategic planning.

In 2003 - 2004, the TCMH Board and administration created a new logo for the organization and developed a new mission statement and statement of values. The Mission Statement reads:

“Rooted in faith, Tri-County Mennonite Homes provides leadership in service to seniors and developmentally disabled adults by dedicated staff and volunteers”.

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Privacy Statement

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Annual Report

To view a copy of our 2006 Annual Report click here.

To view a copy of our 2007 Annual Report click here.

To view the video from the 2005 AGM, "Leadership In Service", please click title

To view the video from the 2006 AGM, "Staff Leading Our Success", please click title.

To view the video from the 2007 AGM, "Making the Difference" , please click title