August 9, 2022
A Salute to AHEPA after 100 Years of Service
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) celebrates its centennial anniversary this year. As the largest and oldest service organization for Greek Americans and Philhellenes, it has promoted Hellenic ideals of education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, family and individual excellence through community service and volunteerism and made an impact on millions of lives.
We at AHEPA Senior Living want to thank the long line of visionaries and pioneers who came before us, instilling in us the ideals by which we have built a foundation of trust and service.
Our story began in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1980 with a group of Greek Americans who saw the need for quality housing for senior citizens. They worked to bring our first location to a deserving community in 1981. Through a vision of civic responsibility, we have grown from 117 units into one of the country’s largest providers of affordable senior housing.
The Role of Volunteerism in Affordable Housing
Our staff is committed to the well-being of our residents and personifying these beliefs through volunteering. As members of these communities, you’ll see volunteer board members working a grill at the community BBQ, distributing care packages or supplies, or joining in holiday celebrations.
Our board is made up of the presidents of each of the operating chapter corporations, who annually elect officers and directors to oversee the housing programs – all of whom are volunteers.
We take pride in managing these properties on the ethos of addressing resident needs, backed by the experience and knowledge that comes as a leader in this space.
Looking to the Future
As we take the time to reflect on the achievements of the Order of AHEPA over the past 100 years, we must also look toward the future. We continue to look for opportunities to build from our experiences and grow so that we may provide communities across America with quality, affordable senior living options.
At the AHEPA Senior Living board meeting in July, the board reported donations totaling over $422,000 that will be used to strengthen our communities further. Whether that includes our ongoing support of domestic violence shelters, veterans housing, charities that assist the blind, Meals on Wheels America, or finding new programs to invest in, we are a mission-driven organization with roots in giving back to the community.
Beginning with the Greek American attitude of civic responsibility, AHEPA has helped millions of individuals during its Century of Service. We at ASL were born of this ethos and continue to work hand-in-hand with the Order of AHEPA, and its affiliate organization, the Daughters of Penelope. Our communities to ensure that we care for those in need in the next 100 years and beyond.