Covenant Enabling Residences of Illinois is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church, administered under the auspices of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence. From its beginning in 1886, the church has cared for those in need. The Covenant’s tradition of excellence and compassion embraces adults with developmental disabilities.

Originally an outreach of Covenant Women Ministries, the first Covenant residence for adults with developmental disabilities, Bjorklund House, opened near Chicago in 1994. There are now seven Covenant Enabling Residences in three states. One, Independence Place, is a community integrated living arrangement; the others offer supportive and semi-independent living services. The most recent addition, Friendship Place in Lino Lakes, Minn., opened in October 2008.

Four additional residences, including the first in California, are in development in three states. Three of the four homes will be located on campuses of Covenant Retirement Communities and will offer the potential for intergenerational, volunteer and employment opportunities. Covenant Women Ministries continues its work with us through fund development, volunteerism and spiritual support.

Covenant Enabling Residences is tightly woven into the fabric of many Covenant ministries. Church conferences, in Illinois the Central Conference, partner with us to develop residences. Their members provide leadership, contribute financially and work with us as volunteers. National Covenant Properties provides loans for new construction. Covenant Trust Company helps those who want to support our ministry with legacy gifts. Where possible as in Northbrook, Covenant Retirement Communities works with us to develop enabling residences that will benefit from the synergy of being located on the campus of a retirement community.