Neighbors help neighbors live joyfully in the plains

Seniors in Nebraska’s rural areas—long underserved by affordable housing and care—have a new place to call home. Tabitha, an ELCA-affiliated nonprofit and the state’s leading senior care provider, recently completed construction of Prairie Commons Senior Living Community in Grand Island, 100 miles west of Tabitha’s main office in Lincoln. Now older residents can live and access services in the landscape they love.

“What we were seeing as an organization,” explains Christie Hinrichs, Tabitha’s President and CEO, “was demand for a moderately priced senior housing solution that could serve rural areas.” Tabitha was eager to address the need, but where to begin?

Opportunity presented itself when the board of the Grand Island Regional Medical Center, built in 2021, knowing of Tabitha’s award-winning expertise in senior care, extended an invitation. Would Tabitha be the provider of choice for senior housing and services at Prairie Commons? Tabitha enthusiastically accepted, inaugurating their biggest project to date, and their first foray into providing this level of independent senior living.

While a Nebraska bank provided a sizable part of the project loan, a substantial portion was still needed. Working with Tabitha, the Mission Investment Fund provided the difference.

“Without MIF’s involvement, we wouldn’t have been able to build the project,” shares Hinrichs. Tabitha’s Chief Financial Officer Brian Shanks agrees. He adds, “The MIF team has been wonderful to work with. They took the time to understand the project and perform the necessary due diligence, providing Tabitha the optimal financial solution.”

With wide-open views of the surrounding plains, the new development has more than 150 apartments/suites for seniors to call home. Allowing for an easy transition between independent and assisted living, memory care, and long-term/skilled care provides peace of mind for residents and families. Part of a 100-plus acre planned development, the housing shares a campus with the regional hospital, stores, restaurants and more.

Tabitha at Prairie Commons is exactly the type of community resident Margene Horst was looking for as she prayed about her future. “I appreciate the safety and security at Prairie Commons, along with the full spectrum of care under one roof. The homes are beautiful and bright, with light colored walls and woodwork.” Comforting, well-known countryside completes the setting, close enough to town for church, shopping and medical care.

“I want to remain active as I age, and independent living without the responsibilities of home ownership is a relief,” she says. “Living in community with other seniors gives us the opportunity to socialize, which is so vital to our lives. The staff, residents and food are wonderful.”

“Tabitha empowers people to live joyfully and age gratefully,” says Hinrichs. “There are rich opportunities in providing housing for seniors. The greatest opportunity is in creating an intentional community where neighbors help neighbors live joyfully as they age. For Tabitha this is our role and our calling—caring for people.”