Three Springfield-area facilities that serve seniors have
been listed for sale as part of a recent bankruptcy
filing, but representatives from the parent company say no closures or immediate changes are planned.
Midwest Christian Villages, Inc.,
doing business as Christian Horizons, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and announced plans to restructure. The St.
Louis-based nonprofit operates 12 communities with independent living, assisted living and memory care services and also has short-term rehabilitation and long-term health
care centers.
In Springfield, the company operates
Lewis Memorial Christian Village, 3400 W. Washington St., and River Birch Living, 4012
Cockrell Lane. The
Christian Village in Lincoln
is also part of Christian
Horizon’s properties, which
include locations in Indiana, Missouri and Iowa in addition to Illinois.
Christian Horizons previously operated home health services provider Safe
Haven Hospice, 1999 Wabash Ave., but Residential Hospice, a division of Graham Healthcare Group, acquired Safe Haven Hospice in Central Illinois from Christian Horizons in December 2023.
A statement posted on Christian Horizons’
website notes: “A series of events has put significant pressure on the company’s
finances” and lists resident and patient volumes sharply declining at the outset
of the pandemic, staffing shortages and increased costs to procure goods and
services as factors.
The statement asserts, “Christian Horizons will continue to operate as usual throughout the restructuring process, maintaining its commitment to providing quality care and services.”
Christian Horizons CEO Kate
Bertram told Senior Housing News, “Our residents will continue to live and be
served in our communities. We will continue to welcome older adults into our
communities.”
She also said that no current residents would be asked to relocate during the bankruptcy proceedings and that she planned to remain as CEO throughout the process. The courts need to approve a sale motion, which Bertram said could be completed in around six months.
According
to a court document filed as part of the bankruptcy, the organization has about $75
million in outstanding debt.
