Our History
Preparations for Calling Foundation began in 1958 as the vision of a number of Christians to provide a magazine in the Brethren Assemblies. The publication was named “Calling” to represent that God is always calling individual men and women to Himself and to His service. Those involved in this magazine had a heart for social obligation and housing for seniors and widows, so in 1960 a group of six men registered the “Calling Foundation” society for construction, equipping, and operating of homes for the aged and others, supporting churches and missionaries, and promoting Christian principles. The logo represented a bugle for calling and a bow-and-arrow symbol to suggest a goal-inspired direction.
During the first decade, Calling Foundation built an apartment complex named “Parkdale Manor” for 126 able-bodied seniors on Vancouver’s Westside. In 1969, “Blenheim Lodge” was constructed on the corner of Blenheim Street and West Sixteenth Avenue. Originally, it was home to 143 seniors who enjoyed prepared meals, housekeeping, and some assistance with medical needs. In 1978, the provincial government introduced the Long Term Care Program and Blenheim Lodge became a licensed Personal and Intermediate Care facility with nursing care subsidized by the BC Ministry of Health. Over the years, the need for more care to BC seniors increased and staff and programs were added. Today, Blenheim Lodge provides 24-hour Complex Long-Term Care with the motto, “Quality Care in a Christian Setting”.
Our Partners
The operations of Blenheim Lodge are funded through an ongoing grant from the BC Ministry of Health through the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. The remaining cost of providing care is collected through each resident’s monthly rent, which is set by the Health Authority.
Calling Foundation is a founding member of the Denominational Health Association of British Columbia, a group of faith-based care facilities in the province.
The facilities at Blenheim Lodge are made available by Calling Ministries (a separate charity) to Calling Foundation for the provision of Long-Term care.
Our Beliefs and Practices
Calling Foundation seeks to operate Blenheim Lodge according to biblical principles. Staff and residents are from various cultures and beliefs and are encouraged to “do unto others as you would have them do to you” and to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”. Each resident is cared for respecting the sanctity and dignity of human life to its natural end. Read the full text of the Statement of Faith of Calling Foundation.