NEPTUNE, N.J. — Throughout its 109 year history as a leader in senior living and care, United Methodist Homes of New Jersey has grown and changed to reflect the needs of its communities, residents and families. In response to numerous initiatives, the organization has changed its name to United Methodist Communities and adopted the tagline, Abundant Life for Seniors.
What’s behind the new name? The word “Communities” speaks to engagement with older adults in many locations and reaching seniors wherever they may live, to improve community health and wellness. It better describes current services and more effectively explains the mission and Strategic Plan, which focus on person-centered living and home and community-based services.
President and CEO, Lawrence D. Carlson, stated, “We have a more influential voice as a system of ten communities, versus ten individual communities. This will help build statewide impact and long-term name recognition.”
Its larger statewide brand presence will be reflected in the ten sites, with the parent name placed first. The revised individual community names retain their heritage, but align with the parent organization; for example, the East Orange community is now United Methodist Communities at Bishop Taylor. The others are: Bristol Glen (Newton), Collingswood (Collingswood), Covenant Place (Plainfield), Francis Asbury (Ocean Grove), PineRidge of Montclair (Montclair), Pitman (Pitman), The Shores (Ocean City), Wesley by the Bay (Ocean City), and The Wesleyan (Red Bank).
United Methodist Communities’ new logo is derived from the roof shape of the previous logo. Expanding the shape into four richly-colored and connected houses in the form of a cross, conveys unity in mission, diversity, and faith-based roots and values. The four houses symbolize a colorful and rich tapestry of abundant life and point outward, indicating reach outside of its physical locations.
United Methodist Communities will continue to offer Independent, Residential and Assisted Living; Memory Support; Post-Acute Rehabilitation; Respite; Long Term Care; and Hospice. Its goal is to help seniors successfully age-in-place, whether they remain in their own homes or choose to live on one of the 10 campuses across New Jersey.
For additional information call United Methodist Communities at 732-922-9800 or visit on the web at UMCommunities.org.