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Our History

Every legacy starts with a vision. At UMC, that vision has shaped more than a century of compassionate care for older adults across New Jersey.

About UMC

What began as a single home in Ocean Grove, NJ, has become a dynamic nonprofit organization, committed to serving seniors with faith, dignity, and innovation.

Our History

UMC was founded in 1907 to provide a safe, caring home for aging Methodist missionaries, pastors, deaconesses, and laypeople. That original vision took root in Ocean Grove and quickly grew into a statewide network of communities that now serve thousands of older adults of all faiths.

As the needs of seniors evolved, so did UMC. The organization expanded its reach and redefined its mission, changing names over the decades to reflect its growing role in senior living. From establishing communities across the state to launching HomeWorks and expanding critical in-home services in 2016, UMC has led the way in supporting older adults throughout the region.

Today, our UMC communities are built with the future in mind. Residents can access a full range of services with unique choices based on the community, from independent living to memory care and rehabilitation.

Through affordable housing, campus living, and in-home support, UMC continues to adapt while staying true to its spiritual and service-centered roots.