Community, compassion, dignity, integrity, quality, teamwork, trust.

Those are the stated Christ-like core values of faith-based Fairmount. One of Fairmount's unstated values is value.

"Through our position here in northern Lancaster County, we're rooted in the heritage of this area," said Mitch Hanna, who's been Fairmount's director of marketing and communications for eight years. "While we have adjusted over the years, we still hold true to our mission, which is offering Christ's love in our caregiving. We try to make ourselves as affordable as possible. It's quality care and a good-hearted message."

Located at 333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata, on 73 scenic and sprawling acres in West Earl Township, Fairmount offers various levels of assistance for older individuals, from personal care to short-term and outpatient rehabilitation services to independent living. Fairmount is home to 52 cottages, 103 apartments, a health care center, an activities center, a dining room, a chapel, a library, a woodshop and administrative offices.

"We don't shy away from our values," said Hanna. "We try to keep them in the forefront with our team. We don't shy away from our faith. When you're helping someone, it's a real humbling experience. It takes a lot of love and compassion. We try to model Christ's love in our words and actions."

Fairmount offers residents programs and activities that include exercise classes, book clubs, religious services, visiting speakers, a sewing club, bocce, cornhole, day trips, gardening, a coffee hour and pet therapy.

"There are a lot of different things happening on campus," said Hanna. "We try to tailor the activities to the people we are serving. They're going to be doing activities that they are physically able to do. We try to do activities that stimulate the mind and the body. They're community building types of activities."

Currently, more than 370 individuals reside at Fairmount, some 220 of whom are located in the independent living apartments and cottages. Fairmount's waiting list for accommodations is more than three years.

"They're generally local folks or people who have connections to here or ties to the area," said Hanna. "They're kindhearted folks who are generous with their time and resources. They're mostly family oriented. Everybody here is nice."

Fairmount's 24/7, 365-days-a-year need for staff is filled by 311 employees, 175 of whom work full time. Their work is supported by 175 volunteers.

"There are so many generous people who work here," said Hanna. "I really enjoy getting to know the residents. They really do become like family. Personally, that's my favorite part of the job and getting to build those relationships."

Fairmount is funded through fees charged to its residents, some of which are based on the level of services needed or requested. Insurance, Medicare and other types of government assistance can cover certain living expenses.

Fairmount also operates a benevolent program for residents whose financial resources have been exhausted, a program that is supported through fundraisers and private donors.

Fairmount is governed by an eight-member board of directors from the Weaverland Conference of the Old Order of the Mennonite Church, similar to the group that founded Fairmount in 1968. Fairmount was originally home to 20 residents.

"The Weaverland Conference had some individuals in their congregations who couldn't care for themselves," said Hanna. "There were some folks who had an idea and came to the church with this idea. It got a little more traction, and then we've just grown throughout the years. The whole industry has changed, but we've stayed true to our Mennonite traditions. It was caregivers who had a heart for caring for people who couldn't care for themselves. We've clung to our heritage."

For additional information, go to http://www.fairmounthomes.org.