For more than 55 years, Mt. Hope Nazarene Retirement Community in Manheim, has been providing skilled nursing and rehabilitation to residents regardless of their ability to pay. Now the nonprofit will serve even more people with its "Hope Expanded ... Continuing Our Vision: New Cottage Build" project.

The project includes the construction of two duplexes of single-floor independent living cottages, featuring four suite-style apartments.

To highlight the new project, Mt. Hope will host two kickoff celebrations, where information will be presented about the cottages, their amenities, floor plans, estimated timelines for construction, and ways for the public to support the cause. Each event will feature a light-fare meal as well as the opportunity to learn more about partnering with Mt. Hope for the future.

People may attend a session on Sunday, April 14, at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene, 110 Durlach Road, Ephrata, or on Saturday, April 20, at 5 p.m. at Chiques Church, 4045 Sunnyside Road, Manheim.

"One of the most exciting highlights during these two sessions and the week in between is anonymous donors pledged $20,000 as a matching gift, and donations are doubled up to $20,000," said Kris Wilson, Mt. Hope director of advancement.

The facility began as Mt. Hope Dunkard Brethren Church Home in 1969 after the Dunkard Brethren Church purchased the Mt. Hope meetinghouse from Chiques Church in 1965 to establish a home for seniors and people with disabilities in need of care. Mt. Hope's original structure on Mt. Hope Home Road, the Mt. Hope Meetinghouse, was built in 1910 by the Chiques congregation as a place of worship and still stands today.

Ephrata Grace Point purchased the home from the Dunkard Brethren in 2007. Mt. Hope has 50 beds, a full-service rehabilitation and therapy department on-site, and independent living cottages on its campus. "It has been a long-term vision for Mt. Hope to be able to build additional independent living cottages," Wilson said. "The health care facility completed renovations and upgrades through its 2020 capital campaign, and now is the right time to expand with new cottages."

Mt. Hope's mission is to welcome those with limited resources or changing financial circumstances, Wilson said, adding, "Our ministry and work at Mt. Hope is to serve our community by offering housing options and quality care in a wholesome Christian environment." Mt. Hope's mission statement is from Matthew 25:40, where the importance of caring for "the least of these" teaches that everyone deserves compassion, she shared.

Jeff Sterner, Mt. Hope board member, noted that the cottage project is a costly one. "We need your help to complete this project that is estimated to cost $1.2 million," he said. "Mt. Hope has been good stewards of its resources and has over $200,000 in reserve to get this project started. The project is now fully designed, with land development approvals granted by Rapho Township and completed design drawings ready for permit application. What we need now is the community's support to raise the remaining funds to get these cottages constructed."

Space is limited for the kickoff events, and Wilson suggests reserving seats by emailing advancement@mthopenazarene.org or calling 717-682-8026 by Saturday, April 6.