Evergreen Elm, Inc. was originally established in July of 1974 as Evergreen Highlands.Evergreen Elm, Inc. was then incorporated in 1979. The beginnings of the corporation required numerous and long hours of effort (and sometimes elbow grease) by many dedicated Board members of the Agency.

The organization, since 1974, has grown from one program supported by a $1,750 budget and donations derived from door to door canvasses to twelve programs with a budget of 2 million dollars.

In the area of service, since Evergreen Elm’s inception, our quality of care, attention to detail, and overall commitment to our mission of service to mentally challenged individuals has become our trademark throughout the community.

Although Evergreen Elm has grown somewhat through the years, we retain a close “hands on” involvement with each individual whom we serve. In short, our employees and board members are noted for their true, caring attitude.

The long-term goal of the Agency has been to provide a wide range of residential and related services to meet the needs of individuals who have challenges in the way of mental health and/or mental retardation diagonoses. The resulting continuum of services has been driven by the needs and wishes of those persons Evergreen Elm, Inc. has served throughout the years. The “Bradford Link” apartment living and training program, for example, became a reality because about a dozen individuals insisted, despite many failed attempts, that their biggest dream was to have their own apartment. The additions of the Medication Monitoring, Supportive Living and Supported Housing Programs over the past few years have completed one circle of residential supports originally envisioned.

The Agency is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of twenty-five members. In accordance with the Agency’s By-Laws, Directors and Officers are elected for a three year term. Each year at the annual meeting of the Board held in August, the Nominating Committee, appointed by the President of the Board, submits a slate of Directors to vote upon. Evergreen Elm, Inc., a 501 C (3) non-profit corporation, is also a purely public charity as registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Milestones in our History
1974:
Founded as Evergreen Highlands to establish a transitional rehabilitation home for men who have chronic mental illnesses.

1976:
First Community Living Arrangement for adult women with a mental retardation diagonosis established.

1979:
Re-incorporated as Evergreen Elm, Inc.

1979 – 1990:
Five more MR fully supervised residential programs were developed and the movement to transition other homes to semi-independent began.

1990:
Medication Monitoring Program started as a response to the needs of persons living in the community with an MH diagnosis.

1990:
The Horticulture Therapy Program (Garden) was started.

1993 – 1998:
Supportive Living and Supportive Housing Programs are established to provide in-home supports and/or housing to persons living in the community.

1998:
The Bradford Link is created as a pilot program through a grant from the Blaisdell Foundation and is so successful that grants are sought to purchase an apartment house.

1999 – 2004:
The Bradford Link acquires a Federal Home Loan Bank grant. Programs continue to evolve according to the dreams and needs of the participants and Evergreen Elm, Inc celebrates its 30th anniversary.

2010:
Evergreen Elm celebrates 35 years of service.