Pilgrim Place provides living facilities for retired Christian workers. Pilgrim Place welcomes applications for residency from persons who wish to reside in a theologically stimulating, ecologically sensitive, personally enriching, and communally active environment, and who fulfill the eligibility requirements as described below.
Pilgrim Place Application for Residency Information
ELIGIBILITY
Before moving to Pilgrim Place, the applicant must have completed at least 15 years in full-time (or the equivalent) Christian service in salaried professional positions in churches or institutions that are recognized by the Admissions Advisory Group as Christian and ecumenical in orientation. Examples include commissioned or ordained missionaries, ministers, community organizers, seminary faculty, college professors of religion, denominational executives, YMCA/YWCA professional staff, and other Christian workers. A spouse/partner who has shared a 15-year marriage/commitment during the service years of a qualified person is also eligible for admission. Pilgrim Place is open to all such qualified persons regardless of gender, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, or ancestry.
Applicants must be independently mobile, in sound physical and emotional health when entering, and be able to live independently. New residents are encouraged to move to Pilgrim Place between their 62nd and 78th birthdays in order to fully participate in the life of the community.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Persons wishing to reside at Pilgrim Place submit an application, including an Application Form, personal statement, recent photo, and $250 application fee (per person). At least six references are required, two being residents of Pilgrim Place, if possible. Pilgrim Place will send recommendation forms to persons listed on the application. A resume may be submitted in lieu of the Service Record portion of the application. As part of the application process, a personal interview will normally be required with the Director of Admission. Upon completion, applications are reviewed by the Admissions Advisory Group. Qualified applicants are granted “Preliminary Eligibility” and placed on the Housing List according to their desired year of entrance and priority points.
If the Admissions Advisory Group does not recommend an applicant for Preliminary Eligibility, one-half of the application fee will be refunded. An applicant who has been refused admission by the Admissions Advisory Group cannot be reconsidered.
MAINTAINING CONTACT WITH PILGRIM PLACE
Approved Applicants are asked to communicate annually with the Director of Admission to express continued interest in retirement at Pilgrim Place and report any changes of address, health, marital status, ministerial standing, or retirement plans.
PRIORITY POINTS
At the time application is made, applicants must state their desired year of entrance into Pilgrim Place. Approved Applicants are place on the Housing List according to their desired year of entrance and number of priority points. Points are awarded for years of service, type of service, age at desired year of entrance, Christian vocations served outside country of citizenship, minority status, service to the United Church of Christ, and for applying at least 5 years before desired year of entrance. The quantitative point evaluation system is used as a general guide when decisions are made regarding entry. It does not necessarily determine when an approved applicant will be offered residency.
KEY FOR ESTABLISHING PRIORITY OF ENTRANCE
The quantitative point evaluation system is used by the Administration as a general guide for determining housing offers in a particular calendar year. It does not guarantee that an applicant will be offered residency.
Point Categories:
- Years of Service - 15 years is the minimum. 5-25 points
16 through 20 years 5 points
21 through 25 years 10 points
26 through 30 years 15 points
31 through 35 years 20 points
36+ years 25 points
- Age at desired year of entrance. 2-10 points
Age 62-70 10 points
Age 71 8 points
Age 72 6 points
Age 73 4 points
Age 74 2 points
Age 75 and above 0 points
- Christian vocations served outside the country of citizenship. 3-20 points
1 point is earned for each year over 3 years, for a maximum of 20 points
- Minority Status – Member(s) of ethnic minority group. 10-20 points
10 points for each person in this category
- United Church of Christ - UCC Service for a minimum of 10 years. 10-20 points
10 points for 10 years
1 point for each additional year for a maximum of 20 points
- Date Applied.
If application is made 10 years or more prior to desired year of entrance: 10 points
If application is made 5 years or more prior to desired year of entrance: 5 points
Supplemental Points:
Housing availability is dependent on the movement of residents on campus. Approved Applicants who may not be offered housing in their desired year of entrance – due to no fault of their own – often lose ranking on the priority list as their names are merged with the following year’s list. If Approved Applicants meet all of the following criteria, ten supplemental points will be added each year an applicant is not offered housing. This is meant to compensate for possible loss of ranking. The criteria are as follows:
- Applicant applied before the age of 62,
- Applicant has not refused any housing offer,
- Applicant has not changed desired year of entrance more than one time, and
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Applicant has kept in contact with the Admissions office annually in writing, by phone, or with an annual, scheduled office visit.
ENTRANCE INTO PILGRIM PLACE
Approved Applicants acknowledge the following provisions regarding entrance into Pilgrim Place:
- Entrance into Pilgrim Place is not guaranteed since it is dependent upon the number and type of residences that become available in a given year, the Approved Applicant’s priority points as compared with other applicants, and certain financial factors.
- Prior to entrance into Pilgrim Place, Approved Applicants submit confidential financial and medical information forms.
- In the event of a change in physical or mental condition of resident, which in the opinion of Pilgrim Place would make continued residency in independent living accommodations inadvisable, Pilgrim Place may require a move to other housing within Pilgrim Place.
- Under the Pilgrim Place Care and Resident Agreement, all charges for skilled nursing and community care, medicine, treatment, and physician’s fees will be paid by the resident.
COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS
Persons who move into Pilgrim Place commit themselves to supporting the life of this intentional community through their active participation in programs and community meetings. Pilgrim Place residents value and engage in mutual support and care-giving of one another. Residents are encouraged to provide financial contributions to the community beyond their monthly fees. Residents are required to participate in the Abernethy dining room program for the noon meal.
CONDITIONS OF RESIDENCY
When offered housing on campus, an Approved Applicant agrees to all policies governing residency at Pilgrim Place, including submission of confidential financial and medical information forms, signing a Care and Resident Agreement, and paying an entrance fee. A payment equivalent of two month’s rent is required to hold a residence. (This payment includes a Security and Cleaning Deposit equivalent to one month’s rent.) The Monthly Fee (inclusive of rent, residential fee, and dining fee) will commence as soon as the residence is ready for occupancy.
The Medical Information Form is composed of two parts; the first part completed by the applicant and the second part completed by applicant’s physician who then returns it to the Director of Admission confirming the physical and emotional health of the applicant. Final decision of occupancy is conditional, depending on the physician’s opinion of applicant’s ability to live independently at time of physical exam, and applicant’s ability, based on professional consultation with a Pilgrim Place attendant physician, to live independently upon entrance into Pilgrim Place.
ENTRANCE FEES
New residents pay a one-time Entrance Fee based on the square footage and amenities of their selected residence. Residents may choose from two options; either a Non-refundable Entrance Fee (a one-time non-refundable fee based on square footage and amenities of the residence) or a 90% Refundable Entrance Fee (a one-time fee based on a higher rate per square foot and amenities of the residence with 90% payable to one’s estate).
For households without sufficient assets to pay an Entrance Fee, a third entrance option may be available. Each year up to three households may be eligible to enter Pilgrim Place without an entrance fee but with a larger Monthly Fee. Eligibility for this option will be determined by information provided in the confidential financial information form and the Pilgrim Place President/CEO and Vice President/CFO. Persons who wish to be considered for an entrance fee exemption may submit a written request to Bill Cunitz, Pilgrim Place President/CEO.
MONTHLY FEES
Residents pay a Monthly Fee which is inclusive of rent, dining service fee, and resident fee.
CONTINUING CARE AND RESIDENT AGREEMENT
New residents will receive and sign a Continuing Care and Resident Agreement when they enter into Pilgrim Place. An application for a certificate of authority to enter into continuing care contracts is pending with the California Department of Social Services. An application for a Certificate of Authority has been filed with the Department of Social Services and a Permit to Accept Deposits has been issued.
LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
All new residents who are not covered by long term care insurance are encouraged to apply for coverage. By providing daily benefits for stays in Health Service Center (skilled care) or Pitzer Lodge (assisted living), such insurance may be very cost effective. Persons interested in receiving information about long-term care insurance may contact the Vice President/CFO.
RENOVATIONS
Residents wishing to make changes or renovate their chosen residence will work with Buildings and Grounds to determine feasibility, and to arrange for architects and contractors to do the work. A significant down payment is required prior to commencing work. Funds for renovations are separate from the Entrance Fee and will not be deducted from the Entrance Fee.
INTERNAL MOVES
Housing accommodations vary and internal moves may be requested after a resident has resided in the first assigned unit for at least one year. Persons interested in making an internal move may contact the Executive Vice President for Health Services and Resident Transitions and follow the process as described in the internal move policy.
VISITORS
Only Approved Applicants can be considered residents of Pilgrim Place. Parents, children, or other guests may visit, but not live on campus. Normally, visits should not exceed one month. Residents may reserve Guest Rooms at Porter Hall to accommodate friends and family who visit.
GENERAL POLICIES
Residences are equipped with a stove, refrigerator, and window coverings. Residents are responsible for cost of all remodeling done at their request. Normally only one car per unit is allowed on campus. One small pet (20 lb maximum) is permitted in compliance with the pet policy. Please note that all policies and fees are subject to change.
QUESTIONS
Staff members are ready to answer your questions and assist you in discerning whether Pilgrim Place is the best place for the next step in your personal journey. To receive more information about Pilgrim Place or arrange a campus tour, please contact the Director of Admission at 909-399-5504. Additional information is also available at the Pilgrim Place web site at www.pilgrimplace.org.
Thank you for your interest in Pilgrim Place!
(Rev 2/4/08)
