Benedictine Living Community–Duluth Receives Transformational $1 Million Gift
Benedictine Foundation is honored to announce a transformational $1 million gift received from an anonymous donor whose long‑held desire to help seniors with special attention to the poor and underserved aligns precisely with the Benedictine Mission. This extraordinary commitment will strengthen Benedictine Living Community-Duluth’s ability to serve older adults with compassion, dignity and excellence, especially those who are low‑income or reliant on Medicaid.
“This gift is a result of the extraordinary mission and ministry that Benedictine Living Communities carry out,” said Joslyn Biever, senior vice president. “We are humbled by the donors’ trust and deeply grateful for their generosity.”
Strengthening Holistic, Person-Centered Care
The donors were inspired by Benedictine’s whole‑person approach to care, which supports the mind, body, and spirit of every individual we serve. Their financial support will give Benedictine Duluth the flexibility to direct resources where they are most needed each year. This sustained support helps advance the Benedictine Westwood assisted living renovation, strengthen resident‑centered programs, and ensure that every person and family experience care grounded in dignity and the inherent worth of the whole person.
Brian Pattock, executive director, Benedictine Duluth, emphasized the breadth of the gift’s impact. “This support strengthens our ability to care for people holistically and to build beautiful, mission‑inspired environments where older adults can thrive.”
Expanding Programs That Honor Dignity and Connection
One of the programs that will be supported by this gift is Moments That Matter, Benedictine’s newly launched integrated dementia care model designed to create meaningful experiences that reduce stress, spark connection and affirm dignity at every stage of the dementia journey.
This comprehensive program will include staff training with expert-led instruction, standardized onboarding, annual recertification, alignment with accreditation requirements and hands-on skills development.
Moments That Matter uses evidence-based, human-centered therapies that nurture joy, comfort, and connection through music therapy, aromatherapy, comforting touch & sensory engagement, doll therapy as well as horticulture and plant therapy.
“These approaches are not extras. They are central to providing dementia care that is compassionate, relational, and deeply human—and this transformational gift will help ensure these experiences remain available and continue to grow,” Pattock explained.
This transformational gift positions Benedictine Living Community–Duluth to expand its services, strengthen its mission, and continue improving outcomes for vulnerable seniors across the region—now and into the future.
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