A Message from the Executive Director

The Friends House story began when a group of Quakers from Friends Meeting of Washington incorporated a dream in 1946. A wide group of Friends Meetings, known as Potomac Quarterly Meeting, also felt the need for this kind of organization. By the time Sandy Spring was being considered as the site, the project was under the care of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting, which now represents over 40 Friends Meetings in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. It took another 21 years before construction was completed and the original 100 apartments were ready for occupancy in late 1967. Soon after the initial apartments were built (under the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program), efforts were begun to design a nursing unit. Later the nursing unit would be converted to assisted living and the nursing unit eventually expanded even further with the addition of a special care unit for Alzheimer’s and dementia residents. Private pay, independent living, cottages were added starting in 1967.

Friends House Retirement Community and its Board of Directors, from the beginning has had a mission to serve those at all income levels, but particularly those at the lower income levels. With this commitment, Friends House has to ensure there quality of life is the same for all, and that no one should have to leave for lack of funds. In order to maintain this commitment, Friends House has established the Resident Assistance fund which provides rental support and assistance to residents for items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids and transportation to medical appointments.

The Assistance Fund relies on donations and support from all those who share our mission and values. We hope you consider a gift to help the current residents and future residents of Friends House Retirement Community live out their days in the most fruitful and meaningful way possible by assuring they can live independently as long as possible.

As you consider your response to the Friends House vision, mission and experience, we are available to answer questions and give you more information about our community. Thank you for your interest in Friends House!

Sincerely,

Karen E. Lehman
Executive Director