At Embrace Living Communities, growth has always meant more than adding buildings or expanding our footprint. It means creating more opportunities to serve older adults and people with disabilities, strengthening the communities our residents call home, and finding new ways to support people in living with stability, dignity, and connection.
This year, that mission continues to move forward in meaningful ways.
On September 1, 2026, Embrace Living Communities assumed property management of Brementowne Manor, an established HUD-subsidized affordable housing community in Tinley Park, Illinois. Built in 1982, the 106-unit community is owned by Brementowne Manor, Inc., a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing to low-income older adults and people with disabilities.
As we begin this new chapter together, our priority is to build on the strong foundation already in place while creating as seamless a transition as possible for residents. The existing property staff will remain, providing continuity and allowing residents to continue working with people they already know and trust.
As President and CEO Wayne Foley shared: “ Our goal is to extend our mission and serve more older adults and people with disabilities who deserve access to quality, affordable housing. As we grow, we remain focused on what has guided Embrace for more than 130 years: strong communities, meaningful relationships, and putting residents at the center of everything we do.”
Providing an affordable apartment is essential, but we know that a home is about much more than four walls.
That belief inspired the creation of the Welcome Home Fund in May 2026. The fund helps residents with essential needs the housing subsidy may not cover. For someone transitioning from being unhoused, an apartment may come without furniture or many of the basic household items needed to make it feel like home. Other residents may experience an unexpected loss of essential belongings. Through the Welcome Home Fund, residents can apply for assistance with support from their on-site Social Service Coordinator.
We are grateful to Stenstrom, Stanton Mechanical, Frankenmuth Foundation, and Franklin Partners for helping make this initiative possible. Their support is helping residents transform apartments into places they can truly call home.
Housing stability also means supporting social and emotional well-being. Thanks to a generous grant from the DuPage Foundation, Embrace recently launched Connected Minds, a resident engagement initiative benefiting more than 600 residents at Embrace Peace Memorial Manor, Immanuel Residences, Castle Towers, and Greencastle of Elmhurst.
In partnership with NAMI DuPage, the program will offer peer support, educational workshops, opportunities for social connection, and annual wellness fairs. Each component is designed around a simple but important goal: helping residents feel connected, supported, and part of a community where they belong.
Programs and buildings tell only part of the Embrace story. Our residents tell the rest. Through Voices of Embrace, we continue to share the experiences of the people who bring our communities to life. Every resident has a story shaped by family, work, challenges, accomplishments, relationships, and the experiences that made them who they are.
In our latest Voices of Embrace story, we introduce Gerald and offer a glimpse into his life, his experiences, and what community means to him. These stories remind us that affordable housing isn’t simply about where someone lives. It is about the people, relationships, memories, and sense of belonging that make a place home.
Our commitment to strengthening affordable housing extends beyond our own communities. This fall, Embrace representatives Jennifer Truppa, Director of Operations, and Alina Serban, Development and Communications Manager, will share Embrace’s experience at two national industry conferences.
At LeadingAge, they will present Fostering Stability and Dignity in Affordable Housing, sharing strategies and lessons from Embrace’s work supporting residents and strengthening housing stability. At the International Council on Active Aging, they will present The Power of Storytelling in AI-Era Grant Writing, exploring how authentic storytelling and emerging technology can work together to create stronger and more meaningful grant narratives.
These opportunities allow us not only to share what we have learned, but also to learn from others working toward the same goal: creating communities where older adults and people with disabilities can thrive.
From welcoming a new community to helping a resident furnish a home, creating opportunities for connection, sharing resident stories, and contributing to conversations across our field, each initiative reflects the same commitment.
Growth matters most when it strengthens our ability to serve.
For more than 130 years, Embrace Living Communities has evolved alongside the people and communities we serve. As we look ahead, we remain grounded in that history while continuing to explore new partnerships, programs, and opportunities to expand our impact.
Feel free to contact us for any future resident, current resident, or general inquiries.
