One of our oldest neighbors has a new name. And for inspiration, The Methodist Home of DC turned to the neighborhood that’s been its home for the past 93 years.
Why change the name at all? The logo’s second line says it all. The community’s management wanted to convey that it is more inclusive than the Methodist Home name might suggest. Quoting CEO Sandy Douglass: “We welcome residents and families of all faiths as well as those with no religious affiliations. We embrace people from all walks of life regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, disability, sexual orientation or identity.”
Jennifer Brown, Forest Hills of DC’s director of admissions and marketing, sent us this announcement explaining more about how Forest Hills of DC arrived at its new name.
125-Year-Old Methodist Home of DC Renamed Forest Hills of DC
The nonprofit Methodist Home of DC has been renamed Forest Hills of DC. The organization has been part of our neighborhood at 4901 Connecticut Avenue, NW for 93 years and been operating a residential retirement community since 1889.
“Over the last several years, our senior leadership has identified the need to evolve our identity to better reflect the broad spectrum of residents, families and friends we serve” according to Sandy Douglass, CEO. The organization embarked on the rebranding process that included engaging independent experts to work with the management team and the Board of Trustees. After extensive research and careful deliberation, Forest Hills of DC was chosen.
“We arrived at the name Forest Hills, since our community is located in the Forest Hills section of the District and because it is a natural fit with our Forest Side location,” explained Ms. Douglass.
“To help communicate our new identity, we are adding a descriptive line to our logo: Inclusive Senior Living,” she added. “The concept of Inclusive Senior Living represents a core belief of our organization. We welcome residents and families of all faiths as well as those with no religious affiliations. We embrace people from all walks of life regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, disability, sexual orientation or identity. Finally, we are inclusive because we can provide all the essential services needed for a supportive journey from retirement through the remaining stages of life.”
The community has served as a de facto town center regularly hosting many organizations including the Ward 3 Democrats, the ANC 3-F, Connecticut Avenue Pedestrian Association-(CAPA), District Department of Transportation (DDOT), Essex Condominium Association, Older Lesbians Organizing for Change-DC (OLOC) and the Forest Hills Connection. Others taking advantage of the facility’s spacious assembly hall and well-appointed meeting rooms include the Osher Life Long Learning Institute (OLLI) and the Cleveland & Woodley Park Village. The Community also provides office space for the operations of the Northwest Neighbors Village.
Forest Hills of DC offers licensed assisted-living services in 57 apartments on Connecticut Avenue, NW and operates a highly specialized memory care facility, known as Forest Side, located at 2701 Military Road, NW. In addition, the organization provides short-term, post-hospitalization, sub-acute rehabilitation and long-term care in a licensed skilled nursing facility.