Shining Light, Giving Water, Changing Lives

MorningStar Senior Living wants not only to “cast a new light,” we want others to see that light and feel its warmth. It is a light that stretches beyond the walls of our communities and into the lives of those in need across the world—even into the most remote villages of Ethiopia.

Founder/CEO Ken Jaeger’s vision for MorningStar has always been to be a company of servant-minded, purpose-driven leaders in our senior communities and throughout the world. To help accomplish this, the MorningStar Foundation was established in 2019, formalizing our support of philanthropic initiatives locally and abroad.

One of our global charitable partners is Lifewater, whose transformative approach provides clean water and sanitation to the most remote areas while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. This November, Ken and MorningStar’s Director of Philanthropy, Christine Jaeger, traveled to Ethiopia with Lifewater, witnessing the ongoing need for the work they do to end the global water crisis.

Today, 703 million people around the world lack basic access to safe water, and every two minutes a child under the age of five dies from a preventable waterborne disease. The good news? The water crisis can be ended, and Lifewater aims to do just that.

Matt Turner, Managing Partner of MorningStar, has long been drawn to clean water issues by its reverberating impact on underserved and difficult-to-reach populations around the world. Involved in water development initiatives since 2013, Matt found Lifewater’s model for sustained outcomes particularly impressive, prompting Ken to take his own vision trip in 2019.

After witnessing the need for a drill rig in Ethiopia–where over 50% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water—Ken initiated Dig Deep, a campaign wherein the company raised the remaining funds needed to purchase the rig. Today it drills one new well every three days, providing safe water for thousands of families in remote regions of the country.

While in Ethiopia this past November, Jaeger visited the Dodola region, an area supported by MorningStar team members’ voluntary payroll deductions as well as by our annual Quench charity golf event. There he saw the drill rig in action, surrounded by an entire village watching and waiting for the geyser of water that signaled a restoration of health.

“I saw firsthand how we are truly changing lives together,” Ken said. “I’m grateful for our team’s service in our communities and for their service to those around the world, allowing us to continue impacting lives for the better, near and far.”

The transformation made by clean water, sanitation and hygiene is remarkable, and we are proud to be a company desiring to make a change in the lives of thousands across the world.

The gratitude is echoed by Lifewater’s CEO, David LeVan,“We are privileged to work with MorningStar to give life to children living in extreme poverty.”

A company full of servant-hearts: that’s who MorningStar is. Making a difference in the lives of those in Ethiopia, making a difference in the lives of our beloved residents, impacting the world for good wherever we are.

If your loved one lives far from family and friends, it could be time to move into a senior living community near their adult children where they’ll have the companionship of fellow seniors and a compassionate service team. At MorningStar Senior Living, a 24/7 team is dedicated to offer care and hospitality services that meet each resident’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual needs.