By Lori BODNAR, intern

An oasis of serenity awaits in a local neighborhood. The Twelve Oaks Senior Living facility at 2820 Sycamore Ave. boasts majestic oak trees that are reminiscent of its name, and nearly five acres of rose gardens and walking paths. Nestled within the lovely scenery and spectacular views are independent-living cozy cottages, two dorm-style assisted-living buildings with private patios, and a large dining room, pavilion and community center. The Twelve Oaks Senior Living facility is owned by the Twelve Oaks Foundation whose mission is to provide affordable and loving care to seniors, including individuals requiring memory care. Recently Twelve Oaks held a public open house and tour that was attended by members of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley and Friends of Rockhaven.

Mike Lawler, a local historian who writes Treasures of the Valley for CV Weekly and is a former president of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley, gave an opening address and acquainted tour members with some of the history of the Twelve Oaks Senior Living facility.

The facility has a rich history of serving the community as a retirement home in the Crescenta Valley since 1935, except for when it was closed for three years due to an ownership dispute over the property. This historic site was originally owned by James and Effie Fifield, who were from Minnesota but spent their winters in the Crescenta Valley in a comfortable 13-room home surrounded by oak trees. James was a successful businessman and lawyer who was the head of several companies and civic organizations.

The couple became involved with a charity group called The International Sunshine Society whose aim was “to bring sunshine into the hearts and lives of those less fortunate.” The Fifields started a local chapter in Crescenta Valley with the dream of turning their home into a low-cost living facility for the elderly. When James passed away in 1933, Effie began the process of donating the home and the property grounds to the Verdugo Hills Sunshine Society. The deed transfer was completed by 1935. 

Community volunteers from the Sunshine Society constructed various independent living cottages that still stand today as well as a library and recreation room. They provided low-cost care for local seniors as well as entertainment and social activity within the expansive oak-shaded grounds. In 1963, the National Charity League chapter in Glendale raised over $50,000 to fund a new retirement home. They were impressed with the Sunshine Society and Twelve Oaks, and donated the money to them to build a nine-unit residence hall specifically for elderly women.  The Sunshine Society merged with the Glendale National Charity League, which ran Twelve Oaks until the early 2000s. They contracted with the non-profit Southern California Presbyterian Homes, which owned several other assisted living facilities, to run Twelve Oaks. In 2013, neighbors noticed surveyors around the property and the community questioned what was going on. Presbyterian Homes, which had rebranded itself the be.group, replaced the board of directors of the Foundation with representatives from Presbyterian Homes and announced that it was selling the Twelve Oaks property to a housing developer. All 50 elderly residents were given a 60-day eviction notice. The seniors living at the facility and local community members protested to block the sale, and lawyers for the Glendale National Charity League worked on several campaigns to stop the closure. Finally, the home was returned to NCL after a battle of two years. NCL updated and refreshed the facility, and reopened it to senior residents in December 2017. 

The site is approved for up to 63 senior residents; currently there are around 23 seniors enjoying the atmosphere and high-level of care at the facility, including a wing for Alzheimer’s memory care. 

There are 12 units for memory care. Ginger Dotson, a community member on the public tour, said, “My dad was here for three years. This place had good food and good staff. It is nice to have a local place for the elderly to stay and to see family there. It was such a nice place. The workers were really nice. It is a warm and friendly atmosphere.” 

Cherie Snow, another community member on the tour, said, “My mom Jeanne Hileman lived here for five years and she loved it. It was a refreshing place. She would sit on a chair under the oak tree and would sometimes fall asleep there. When she came to the senior facility she had to be ambulatory [this is no longer a requirement]. She was about 90 when she came in. She lived in one of the apartments. When I brought her to see this place and I told her, ‘You might not be ready yet, Mom, but I wanted you to know this place existed.’ I brought her and [we were] showed the rooms that were empty and told us the same rooms might not be available when we come but there will be others. That is why she said, ‘I am going to take it now.’ She liked the feeling of the room. It was a very friendly place. It was shattering to the seniors when they were forced to leave their homes by the be.group trying to sell the property to a developer.”

Now the Twelve Oaks property is owned by the Twelve Oaks Foundation, and operated by Northstar Management. The Twelve Oaks Foundation seeks to preserve the low-density, woodland park tranquility of the property and 80-year tradition of affordable senior housing. Twelve Oaks Foundation members Rose Chan and Gabriel Mendham led the tour and answered questions.

The current 22 residents of Twelve Oaks eat together and enjoy many fun activities together. There is a monthly activity schedule posted, which includes activities such as yoga, trivia and other “brain” games, book reviews, board games, expressive art, pet visitation, puzzles, bingo, “Sit and Be Fit” exercise and more. The facility also boasts a chef who cooks appetizing meals. Residents enjoy the home-style dining experience that meets various dietary needs, such as vegetarian, low sugar and low salt requirements.

There is also a salon – Style Twelve – located on-site in one of the original Fifield buildings. It was renovated by local Girl Scout Julia Powers for her Girl Scout Gold Award project. Powers wanted to create a place for seniors to feel pampered and beautiful. The salon offers wash, haircut, style and set, permanents and color and waxing as well as beard trim for men.

In addition to members of Friends of Rockhaven, many members of the Historical Society of Crescenta Valley were on the Twelve Oaks facility tour. Stuart Byles is the vice president of the Historical Society. 

“It is amazing to know the history of the place and working to find its history. Places like Rockhaven and Twelve Oaks are nice to keep how they are because of the rich history,” Byles said.

Twelve Oaks Senior Living can accommodate about 60 residents. There is 24-hour care from experienced staff members who can help with daily living activities.

The staff reflects the core values of Twelve Oaks in maintaining the health and wellness of its residents while preserving the historic past and oak-park grandeur of the property.

To learn more about Twelve Oaks, visit https://www.twelveoaksseniorliving.com/ or call (747) 255-7272.

  Lori BODNAR