History
Community growth through the years
Friendship Village of Schaumburg was founded in 1974 and began welcoming residents three years later on January 17, 1977, with the opening of our Apple and Birch pavilions and the first Healthcare Center building, later known as the Elm Pavilion. The Cedar and Dogwood pavilions opened in 1978, along with the second Healthcare Center building, which has become known as the Forest Pavilion.
Now encompassing 60 acres, our campus initially had been considered for a hospital site in the early 1970s. After the hospital selected a different location, then-Schaumburg Village President Bob Atcher helped clear the way for Des Moines-based Life Care Services Inc. to develop a not-for-profit retirement community on the site.
Life Care Services' development plan was overseen by Friendship Village's first Board of Directors, comprised largely of clergy from the Schaumburg area. Bill Biven was the first Executive Director. In 1978, after terminating the contract with Life Care Services, the Board of Directors hired the Rev. Kenneth Timm as Executive Director, and Timm served until he passed away in 1985. Frank Mezio was appointed Executive Director in 1986, serving until 1997.
In 1987, Friendship Village became the first Continuing Care Retirement Community in Illinois to be accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission. That same year, the Board of Directors approved the development of an assisted living program — the first to be created in a Chicago-area Continuing Care Retirement Community. It opened on the third floor of our Birch Pavilion in September of 1988. In 1992, an increasing demand for services led to an addition accommodating 10 additional residents for the Healthcare Center.
In 1997, following a nationwide search, Robert M. Alston became Friendship Village's first President and Chief Executive Officer. Soon after, Alston initiated a strategic planning process that has made Friendship Village the nation's 15th largest Continuing Care Retirement Community in the nation.
The first step was expansion of the Healthcare Center in 1999, with development of a new building — now known as the Gingko Pavilion — accommodating 60 additional residents. This additional capacity meant Friendship Village could extend its skilled nursing services to non-residents for the first time.
The next step was development of a new Campus Master Plan, which led to the opening in 2004 of a new neighborhood of 28 garden homes called Crosswell Trace. Then in July 2005, Friendship Village broke ground for a second new residential living neighborhood — Bridgewater Place.
In January 2006, Bob Alston took on a new role as President and CEO of Friendship Senior Options, the newly formed parent company of Friendship Village, while David Loop became the new President and CEO.
As the 30th anniversary summer of 2007 was in full swing, Bridgewater Place and Friendship Center opened alongside one of the three campus lakes. This new residential living neighborhood added 170 apartment homes to the community, along with a wealth of new amenities, including an aquatic and fitness center, salon and spa, bar and grill, new community meeting spaces and much more.
In 2008, Friendship Village received its fourth five-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. As an accredited community, Friendship Village for more than 20 years has adhered to a comprehensive set of standards and requirements relating to governance, financial management, and healthcare practices to enhance the quality of services and programs for residents.
Over the years, our residents have received numerous community awards, including "top float" in the Septemberfest parade and recognition for active involvement and support in many local community-based organizations. In 1998, our Board Chair was recognized as one of the top trustees in the field by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging. In 2000, another Board member was recognized as the 2000 Outstanding Trustee in the State of Illinois by Life Services Network. In 2008, past Board Chair Mershon Niesner was named to the AAHSA House of Delegates.
In 2010, Friendship Senior Options entered a new decade headed by a new President and CEO, Stephen A. Yenchek. Steve was named to head both Friendship Senior Options and Friendship Village of Schaumburg, effective November 25, 2009, after serving 12 years as Chief Operating Officer and as Senior Vice President since 2004. He replaced Bob Alston, whose retirement was effective January 31, 2010, following 13 years of dedicated service to the community.
