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Mission & History

Dr. Judy Ryan, former President of the Good Samaritan Society had the vision for a new model to assist seniors in remaining in their rural homes and communities.

Community of Care has been a vital part of rural Cass County since 2003. We were founded as a pilot project of the Good Samaritan Society to serve older adults and others through a community of faith.  Our goal is "to enhance the quality of life in rural Cass in order to keep residents in their home as long as safely possible."  We have continued to grow with the help of our donors and volunteers that make our mission possible. Through all these years our purpose still remains the same: "caring for older adults by partnering with rural communities."

  • 2003 - Community of Care began as a pilot project of the Good Samaritan Society with an office in Arthur, ND

    - Jane Strommen hired as Program Director- title later changed to Executive Director

  • 2004 - Steering Committee was formed. Met with focus groups and developed strategic plan

    - Deb Coalter hired as Care Coordinator.

  • 2004 - 2007 Services developed

    - Casselton office opened and Lucile Kingsley hired as Volunteer Coordinator.
    - Michelle Anderson contracted as support staff.

  • 2007 - Articles of incorporation signed
  • 2008 - 501c(3) designation received

    - 1st Totally Table event
    - Annual Membership Drive began

  • 2009- Received state funding through North Dakota Department of Human Services for 2009 - 2011 biennium.
  • 2010 - Strategic Planning session conducted
  • 2011 - Staff and Board transitions - Myrna Hanson hired as Executive Director and Melissa Oberlander hired as Care Coordinator.

    - Received state funding through the North Dakota Department of human Services 2011 - 2013 budget

  • 2012- Received Sanford Health Faith Community Nurse Grant - Jess Donnegan hired as Faith Community Nurse.

    - 1st Annual Classic Car/Motorcycle Cruise held in September

  • 2013- Staff Transitions: Sandy Dooley hired as Volunteer Coordinator and Pam Foss contracted as Bookkeeper

    - 1st Annual Community Wellness Fair with the University of North Dakota College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines
    - Received 2-year $40,000 match grant from Otto Bremer Foundation
    - Received 3rd state grant through the Department of Human Services for 2013-2015 biennium
    - 1st Annual "Crops for Care" Commodity Donation Program
    - Celebrated 10 years of Community of Care in September

  • 2014- 2nd Annual Community Wellness Fair. Lanette Johnson contracted as bookkeeper.

    - Myrna Hanson, Executive Director, invited to participate in AARP Foundation "Rural Services Effective Practices" convening in Washington, DC

  • Community of Care selected as 2014 Bush Prize for Community Innovation Winner. One of only 3 in the state of North Dakota.
  • 2015 Staff transitions: Kathy Sundquist hired as Faith Community Nurse and Rebecca Berge-Buss hired as Volunteer Coordinator.

    - Received funding through the North Dakota Department of Human Service in 2015 - 2017 budget.

  • 2016 Staff transitions: Gwen Fraase hired as Faith Community Nurse and Debra Ball-Kilbourne hired as Care Coordinator

    - received Otto Bremer Foundation grant for 2016 and 2017

  • 2017: 10th Annual Totally Tables Fundraiser
  • 2017 Staff Transition: Lauren Prante hired as Care Coordinator
  • 2017 Casselton Office Moved from Bremer Bank to BankNorth
  • 2018 - 12th Annual Totally Tables - record breaking year
  • 2019 - Legislature approved funding through Dept. of Human Services budget for 2019 - 2021
  • 2020 - Staff Transition, Jan Faught hired as Volunteer Coordinator
  • 2020 Staff Expansion - Cindi Godbout hired as 2nd Faith Community Nurse to serve in Casselton
  • 2023 - Celebrated our 20th Anniversary
  • Otto Bremer Foundation
    Otto Bremer Foundation

    Community of Care has received funding from the Otto Bremer Foundation

  • BankNorth
    BankNorth