Leamington Mennonite Home has long been a place of comfort, dignity, and community for older adults in Essex County. For 60 years, it has provided not only housing and care, but a true sense of belonging. It’s a place where neighbours become friends and where faith, compassion, and daily life are woven together in meaningful ways.
Opened in 1965, it originally consisted of 44 beds, a kitchen, laundry room, hair salon, and lounge. Over the years, apartments and townhouses have been added and a long-term care building was added in 2005. Today, that legacy is preparing for its next chapter.
After six decades of faithful service, the current building has reached a stage where renewal is needed. Standards of care, accessibility requirements, and the expectations of today’s seniors have evolved. A rebuild will allow the Home to design spaces that better support mobility, safety, social connection, and overall wellbeing. It will also create opportunities to incorporate modern design principles that enhance natural light, gathering areas, and flexible spaces for programming and worship.
Leamington Mennonite Home has received a Kindred Charitable Fund grant to support architectural drawings for a planned rebuild of its retirement home. Architectural drawings are the essential first step in turning vision into reality. They bring together community input, regulatory requirements, and thoughtful design into a clear plan. This phase lays the groundwork for fundraising, approvals, and construction. By supporting these drawings, the Kindred Charitable Fund is helping move the project from hopeful conversation to tangible progress.
“We are deeply grateful to the Kindred Charitable Fund for partnering with us at this important stage of our new development project,” comments Alexandria Fischer-Janisse, New Development Project Manager and Director of Development. “This support allows us to begin the architectural work that will bring this vision to life, including schematic design and meaningful community engagement beginning in June 2026.”
At Kindred, we believe in mutual aid put into faithful practice. Supporting this project reflects our shared commitment to peaceful, just, and prosperous communities - communities where elders are honoured, cared for, and invited to flourish. Retirement living is not simply about accommodation; it is about creating environments where people can continue to live with purpose, connection, and dignity.
Leamington Mennonite Home has long embodied these values. Rooted in a tradition of compassionate care, it has walked alongside residents and their families through seasons of transition, celebration, and reflection. A new facility will allow that mission to continue in a space designed for the next generation of residents. “Partnerships like this make it possible for us to plan thoughtfully for the future and continue serving the 273 residents who call Leamington Mennonite Home their home,” adds Alexandria.
We are grateful to support Leamington Mennonite Home in this important step. While the architectural drawings are only the beginning, they represent momentum, collaboration, and hope. As plans take shape, we look forward to seeing how this renewed space will continue a 60-year tradition of care — offering a place where older adults are valued, relationships are nurtured, and community continues to grow.