Senior Community Services (SCS) is a nonprofit organization. Founded in 1950 as Suburban Recreation Association, Senior Community Services adopted its current name and focus on older adults in 1981.
Today, the agency has become one of Minnesota’s top nonprofits in the field of aging. We provide various programs and services in many communities in Carver, Hennepin, Scott, Sherburne and Wright counties.
Empower People as They Age.
Reimagine Aging by serving compassionately, connecting communities, and supporting independence.
We are committed to creating a culture of belonging for all our staff, volunteers, partners, and those we serve with no discrimination on the basis of status or identity. We know that celebrating a diverse range of identities, experiences, and perspectives is crucial to carrying out our mission.
Assisting older adults to remain independent by working with families, volunteers, funders, and other community partners
Demonstrating passionate and empathetic commitment to each older adult’s and caregiver’s quality of life and independence
Embracing the diversity of those we work with and those we serve through the lens of equity
Using imagination and creativity to design and deliver affordable quality services
Maximizing the efficient use of funds and time entrusted to us, while maintaining a high ethical standards
Engaging volunteers in vital and meaningful roles
The culture at Senior Community Services is characterized by a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement, guided by Lean Startup principles. This approach involves iterative development and rapid feedback loops to ensure that programs and services effectively meet the needs of the community. The organization values strategic collaboration, with the CEO leading planning efforts alongside the board and staff to align with the mission and values. Building strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, including staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners, is central to the culture.
Empowering staff through mentorship and shared decision-making is also a key aspect, fostering an environment where employees can thrive. Financial sustainability and operational efficiency are prioritized through sound fiscal management and data-driven decision-making.
Household & Outdoor Maintenance (HOME) Program Serving ages 60+ in select cities in Hennepin, Sherburne, and Wright Counties, services include:
In response to the insights shared by older adults, we launched TECH Services (Technology Education, Connection, and Help) in 2020, piloting the initiative in four cities. This service was crafted to meet the distinct needs of older adults, enhancing their access to essential resources, fostering self-reliance, and facilitating meaningful social connections with loved ones and community support networks.
The innovation of this service lies in its personalized, one-on-one support, which is both continuous and tailored to each individual’s needs. By offering services in the homes of older adults, over the phone, and at community locations, we ensure accessibility and convenience. Our approach is to engage with older adults in their current circumstances, attentively addressing their needs and constraints. This enables us to educate them on available technological solutions and resources, empowering them to thrive and remain active participants in their communities. Service Area: Hennepin, Scott, Carver, Wright and Sherburne Counties
The Senior Outreach Program serves individuals aged 55 and older in suburban Hennepin County, offering support through licensed social workers. This program focuses on:
These services are designed to empower older adults to maintain independence and thrive in their communities. (Suburban Hennepin County)
The Caregiver Services program, delivered by our licensed Social Worker team, provides a person-centered focus on the caregiver, and includes one-on-one coaching and consultation, community-based (and virtual) support groups, family meeting facilitation, and assistance in finding personally relevant information and resources. (Hennepin, Wright, Sherburne, Carver, and Scott Counties)
At the forefront of caregiving innovation stands CareNextion.org and its accompanying app, a groundbreaking initiative developed and powered by SCS. CareNextion is revolutionizing the landscape of family and caregiver support for older loved ones, offering a comprehensive platform that strengthens informal support networks. Through centralized coordination of care, task assignment, journaling, and seamless communication with care team members, CareNextion.org is an award- winning, free, secure online tool (and mobile app) that provides care teams of families and friends with centralized communication, including task scheduling & assignment, journaling, and local resources. (Worldwide)
Senior Community Centers
SCS takes pride in its commitment to enhancing the lives of older adults by managing daily operations and programming at the Monticello and Crow River senior centers, along with our affiliate Minnetonka Community Center. Through partnerships with senior centers and municipalities, SCS ensures that older adults have access to a diverse range of activities and services tailored to their needs and interests. (Wright County)
The online platform mnseniorcenters.org serves as a valuable hub of information, offering a centralized resource for individuals to explore and connect with senior centers in their area. Moreover, it goes beyond geographical boundaries, providing free online access to a wealth of educational and recreational resources for seniors worldwide. By leveraging technology to expand reach and accessibility, SCS continues to promote social engagement, lifelong learning, and well-being among older adults everywhere. (Worldwide)
The funding sources for SCS in 2023 include 70% Government Grants & Contracts, 19% Foundation Grants and Donations, and 11% Fee-for-Service.
In 2023, SCS developed a 3-year strategic plan (2024 – 2026) to amplify its impact and build a network of support for older adults and the informal caregivers who support them, leading to transformative change in the field of aging services.
Our plan focuses on initiatives to achieve both short and long-term goals that will expand the reach of SCS capabilities, services and geography to empower more older adults and caregivers, including:
1. Growing Technology Education, Connection & Help (TECH) services
2. Expanding Caregiver Services through new geographies and partnerships, including corporate settings
3. Expanding CareNextion visits and adoption, while focusing on user experience and improved usability
4. Increasing and diversifying revenue sources.
SCS is seeking an experienced CEO who is passionate about our mission and able to lead our organization with excellence. The CEO will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s operations, including fundraising, program development, financial management, and staff supervision. As a mentor to staff, the CEO will motivate and empower the team to achieve their best work.
In addition to their operational responsibilities, the CEO will be a passionate leader who inspires others to engage with our mission. They will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure that the organization is fulfilling its mission and serving its constituents effectively. The CEO will also be responsible for cultivating and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, partners, and community leaders.
Our ideal candidate will be a motivational leader with a proven track record of success in nonprofit management. They will be passionate about our organization’s mission and committed to achieving our goals. The CEO will be a strategic thinker who is able to balance short-term needs with long-term planning. They will have excellent communication skills and be able to represent our organization to a variety of audiences.
CFO, HOME Program Director, Senior Outreach & Caregiver Services Program Director, Senior Center Directors (2), Marketing Coordinator, and Development Coordinator.
Strategic Leadership/Board Governance:
Staff Management & Mentorship:
Fundraising and Development:
Financial Management & Leadership:
Program Development and Management:
External Relations:
The ideal CEO candidate is a hands-on leader equipped to inspire leadership, staff and volunteers; strategically guide Senior Community Services to grow and to achieve its short and long-term plans and goals; and collaborate with the Board.
The CEO not only possesses strong business acumen and proven leadership ability, but also demonstrates compassion and a commitment to seniors in all aspects of the job.
While no one candidate will have all the criteria enumerated below, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal abilities and attributes:
Required:
Preferred:
$110,000 – $130,000
Senior Community Services offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical insurance with employer contributions, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with employer match of 6% after the waiting period of one year of service, flexible spending accounts, long-term disability coverage, and generous paid time off.
Please send cover letter and resume to Susan Heichert slhlist@gmail.com by December 1, 2024.