Lutheran Church, Senior citizens' center or association
Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries
HistoryWhile serving at First Lutheran Church in Altoona, PA, the Rev. Dr. Luke H. Rhoads answered the need for senior homes in West Central Pennsylvania. Funded entirely by donations from individuals and churches, The Lutheran Home at Hollidaysburg (Blair County) welcomed its first residents in 1952 and construction on independent living cottages on the Hollidaysburg campus began just a year later. With the success of the Hollidaysburg community, The Lutheran Home at Johnstown was built in Cambria County and opened to residents in 1960. Since then, 21 independent living cottages have been added to the Johnstown campus. The Oaks at Pleasant Gap opened in Centre County as a 40-bed personal care home and cottage duplex in 1995. Additional homes have been built on the campus, along with 33 apartments for seniors. Children's services, adult day programs, home health and home care, and senior rental assistance housing were also added to further serve all generations in our communities.SpecialtiesAllegheny Lutheran Social Ministries has served individuals and families in our community for over 65 years with services that span the generations. As a faith-based not-for-profit organization, our more than 550 team members touch the lives of many people each day. Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries (ALSM) touches the lives of more than 2,000 people each year in eight West Central Pennsylvania counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset. Our programs span the generations, providing opportunities for the young, elderly and in-between to grow and learn from each other. ALSM offers childcare, children's programs, adult day services, counseling, in-home care and a variety of senior living options to meet the needs of our community members and our residents. ALSM is a partner ministry of the Allegheny Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.