By Samantha Crawford, Corporate Director of Communications, UMC
UMC gathered its Board Members, Foundation leadership, senior leaders, and teammates from its full-service communities, affordable housing communities and HomeWorks January 30–31 for a powerful two‑day retreat grounded in the theme Rooted and Rising: Evolving Our Mission for Modern Impact.
It was a time of reflection and strategic alignment, celebrating a year of accomplishments while strengthening our shared commitment to compassionately serving seniors today and for decades to come.
Across both days, one message rang clear: UMC is rising — boldly, faithfully, and purposefully.
Celebrating a Mission That Endures
UMC President and CEO Mark Lenhard opened the retreat with a powerful reminder of the foundation on which UMC stands:
“UMC’s mission calls us to compassionately serve in community so that all are free to choose abundant life. That is the fixed point of our compass. As we evolve our models and expand our reach, this mission stays at the center—guiding governance, shaping strategy, and measuring impact.”
In 2025, UMC saw significant growth. We embarked on an exciting journey with the creation of Connexion Communities – a new not‑for‑profit subsidiary that allows UMC to expand outside of New Jersey. UMC marked its launch with the acquisition of three senior living communities in the Greenville, South Carolina area.
UMC reached untapped audiences with new local collaborations and thought leadership opportunities. Lenhard was featured as a speaker at TEDxCapeMay 2025, an independently organized TED event dedicated to “ideas worth spreading.” Mark was selected as one of eight speakers from a pool of more than 800 applicants, joining a lineup of other thought leaders and storytellers to offer their perspectives on this year’s “Being Human” theme.
UMC also strengthened its New Jersey communities with new programs, business partnerships, and community upgrades. Our investment in the people who bring our mission to life continued as well. New leadership roles, workforce training opportunities, and professional development strengthened our teams and positioned UMC to advance our mission well into the future.
“Behind these achievements is a dedicated team and a governance structure that evolved to meet the future head-on,” UMC Board Chairman Rodney Ross added. “Updated bylaws, new leadership roles, and a renewed focus on diversity and succession planning have positioned UMC for long-term success.”
A Year of Extraordinary Growth for the UMC Foundation
The UMC Foundation played a pivotal role in advancing our mission last year, not only through financial stewardship but through deepened relationships across our communities.
“Together, our efforts have surpassed previous years’ fundraising goals,” said Cora Park, Chair of the UMC Foundation Board. “We were also deeply blessed by generous bequests from two former board members, which allowed us to establish a $6 million and growing endowment fund and underwrite the cost of renovations at several of our communities, directly impacting the lives of the residents we serve now and will serve in the future.”
This year, we also expanded awareness of UMC and UMCF through new and growing partnerships with the NJ Chamber of Commerce, NJ Hall of Fame, and Somerset Patriots.
Compassion in Action
UMC community leaders proudly shared their teams’ impact across our full-service communities, affordable housing communities, and HomeWorks.
“We walk alongside our residents through every chapter of their lives,” shared Dominique Phillips, Housing Administrator of PineRidge of Montclair. “We connect them to community resources, advocate for their needs, and help them access services that support their health, stability, and independence. When challenges arise, we do not step away, we step closer.”
She also spoke about the remarkable trust within UMC’s affordable housing communities:
“One of the greatest testaments to the strength of our communities is the number of residents who have been with us since the very beginning. Some have lived in our buildings from the day the doors opened. This is what community feels like when it is built on respect. And this is what happens when we treat every resident not as a number, but as a valued member of our extended family.”
HomeWorks, UMC's in-home care agency, will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this spring – following a standout year. Terra Tilden, Director of HomeWorks, reported remarkable growth, an expanded network of caregivers and office support, and broadened services to support clients of all needs living at home and within UMC's communities. She was also proud to share that her team earned Activated Insights’ Annual Best of Home Care® – Employer of Choice Award for the fifth consecutive year in 2026. This recognition reflects HomeWorks’ strong workplace culture and continued commitment to exceptional care.
Rooted in Purpose. Rising With Vision.
We also appreciated the valuable insights from partners who helped frame UMC’s present opportunities and future direction and strengthened the Board’s understanding of the broader environment in which UMC continues to evolve.
Kerrie Tomasiewicz and Anthony Luzzi of HJ Sims, and Mary Johannesen of Thriven Design, enriched the discussion around affordable housing—its current landscape, challenges, and strategic opportunities.
Dana Anders and Dan Gallagher of CLA provided a forward‑looking overview of demographic shifts, consumer expectations, and the competitive landscape shaping senior services.
And Jim McCracken, President and CEO of LeadingAge NJ & DE, offered an important perspective on public policy and advocacy, highlighting how regulatory trends and legislative action continue to influence the sector.
Today, we reaffirm our mission as the true north that steadies our steps and strengthens our resolve. UMC is rising, with clarity and courage, toward greater impact, deeper community connection, and a future where every older adult is empowered to experience abundant life in all its fullness.
