What Erie Gives Makes Possible: Sarah Reed Senior Living

Growing older doesn’t mean the simple joys of life become any less important. 

A walk through a garden. Lunch with friends on a sunny afternoon. Listening to live music outdoors or watching grandchildren play nearby. These everyday moments have the power to lift spirits, strengthen relationships, and improve overall well-being. At Sarah Reed Senior Living, creating opportunities for those moments is an important part of caring for the people who call their community home. 

As a nonprofit Continuing Care Retirement Community, Sarah Reed Senior Living serves more than 500 older adults each year through independent living, personal care, short-term rehabilitation, memory care, respite care, and skilled nursing services. Their commitment extends beyond meeting residents’ physical needs. It’s about helping every individual continue living a life filled with purpose, connection, and joy. 

Thanks to the generosity of Erie Gives donors, that commitment is growing beyond the walls of the building and into the outdoors. 

Sarah Reed is transforming the patio at its Independent Living and Personal Care Residence into a welcoming, fully accessible outdoor space where every resident can gather, relax, and enjoy nature. The renovation will include walking paths, gardening areas, outdoor dining, lawn games, entertainment space for concerts, and quiet areas designed for reflection and conversation. 

For many residents, these improvements represent much more than new landscaping. 

Studies have consistently shown that spending time outdoors can improve physical health, reduce stress, encourage movement, and combat feelings of loneliness and isolation among older adults. Accessible green spaces create opportunities for friendships to flourish, families to spend quality time together, and residents to remain active in meaningful ways. 

It’s easy to think of a patio as simply another outdoor space. But for someone whose mobility is limited, an accessible path can mean the freedom to enjoy a morning walk again. A shaded bench can become the setting for conversations with lifelong friends or visits from grandchildren. A community garden can provide purpose, routine, and a sense of accomplishment. 

These are the moments Erie Gives helps create. 

Every donation helps transform a physical space into a place where residents can continue making memories, building relationships, and enjoying the simple pleasures that make life meaningful. It’s an investment not only in a renovation project, but in the quality of life of the people who have spent decades building the community we know today. 

Because everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine, share a conversation with a friend, and feel connected to the world around them—no matter their age. 

This story is part of The Erie Community Foundation’s What Erie Gives Makes Possible series, celebrating the lasting impact of Erie Gives and the power of collective generosity across our community.