The home is a side-by-side duplex operated by Covenant Enabling Residences (CER). The $1 million residence is the third in the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Our Place and North Place are located in Duluth.
Friendship Place will have eight residents who will have their own rooms. Four of the residents will be able to do limited work in the community, while the other four will require full-time care.
In addition to the initial occupants, two residents are scheduled to move in before Thanksgiving, and the remaining two will arrive in early 2009, says Theresa Dakota, program director.
“We place a strong emphasis on getting folks out in the community to experience and participate in the community in which they live,” says Dakota. “One of the strengths of CER of Minnesota is providing assistance to individuals to achieve the highest level of independence while living in a supportive Christian environment.”
CER works with families to help the residents transition to a new environment, Dakota says.
The house is built on the property of Rice Creek Covenant Church. More than 250 people attended a recent open house for the new residences.
