Cheers to 21 Years

By weaving all the threads of a better story, by knowing our purpose is greater than any one of us, we are resolved to elevate the world of business, and leave a legacy of benevolence and changed lives.

August 2024 marks MorningStar Senior Living’s 21st year. With over 15,500 residents served in that time and a team 3,000 strong serving across 11 states in 40 communities, it’s a fine thing to represent a brand with so much integrity and depth of purpose.

Senior care is reason enough to be inspired and motivated, but at MorningStar, we have more. We’re on a mission. We stand on God’s principles for how we are to live and serve each other.

Emblematic of the MorningStar brand from the very beginning has been its three-pronged mission: Honor God, Value All Seniors, Invest Generously. Founder/CEO Ken Jaeger gave the mission shape and form by committing to core values important not only to Christians but to all faiths. Love and respect. Honesty and fairness. Kindness and goodness.

“When the company first launched after much thought and prayer, I went at it from the perspective that God holds the future in His hands. The Bible teaches to seek God’s wisdom above your own. So I didn’t dream about how large the company was going to become. I just took a step of faith to build a godly company today, knowing that He would take care of tomorrow.”

Founder/CEO Ken Jaeger at the ribbon-cutting of MorningStar of Littleton

Mike DeGiovanni, VP of Culinary and the longest tenured team member was drawn, as many others would be, by Ken’s provocative stand for God. Says Chef Mike, “I have great memories of building the first MorningStar in Littleton, Colorado. During construction I came to understand Ken’s vision, his deep faith and commitment to honoring God in all that we do. This vision has never changed and remains the reason we serve so well. I have changed through the opportunity MorningStar has given me…and am forever grateful.”

First Building to Open: MorningStar of Littleton

From Rebecca Martin, VP of Memory Care, a 10-year team member: “Our mission is something you can see in action, something we defend and uphold without compromise. In the profound moments that take place behind closed doors, with no one to applaud or acknowledge, God alone witnesses the good we do in service to others…compassionately caring for and protecting seniors by showing respect, love and kindness in every action. It is the respectful and honest way we do business, and the support we show one another as a team, humbling ourselves to do whatever is needed, regardless of title. It is uplifting the spirit of our team through adversity and challenging times.”

Central to the Brand Story of MorningStar is a Vision of our place in the wider world as we prioritize ways in which we can make an impact beyond our community walls.

Brittany Fleshman, Radiance Training Director, 15 years on the team and among those who visited the orphanage we support in Nicaragua, remarks, “The MorningStar brand isn’t defined by just serving seniors. We are encouraged to help others in our local communities and throughout the world, providing access to clean water in developing countries, safe housing, food and an education for orphans, homes for the homeless, and sharing the love of Christ Jesus.”

Rebecca adds, “Knowing the seed of goodness we plant in our homes spans beyond the walls of our communities to those around the globe overwhelms my heart. This is truly God’s work, and what we are here to do with the gift of our lives.”

Ken closes with this: “As we reflect on our 21-year history and marvel at what God has done…as we look to the future and see the opportunities before us…a few things are clearer than ever. What seniors need is what we all need: significance, value, love. Our roots are as firm as ever. And the mission we’re on, we’re on it together: to serve seniors, each other and the world.”