A Leader Family History Lesson: Why our Campuses Feel Like Home

For example, the land on which our Hershey campus sits was previously an orchard. Peach and apple trees once grew here, and that’s why we planted a small orchard on campus to recall that legacy. Views from our veranda of the farm fields across the street remind us that farming has been a staple of the Hershey community long before Mr. Hershey started his chocolate factory nearby. We have the best of both worlds in Hershey — sweet views along with sweet treats!

Country Meadows of Hershey, along with several of our other campuses, were developed at a time when quite a few personal care and assisted living communities were being converted from hotels and motels, retired school buildings and even a convent or two. Consequently our “purpose-designed and purpose-built” communities offered many features missing elsewhere. That certainly was the case in Hershey, York and Mechanicsburg.

When looking to grow the organization, recognizing what appeals to local residents in the community has been an important consideration in our expansion decisions. For example, the Wyomissing (Reading area) campus has a beautiful pastoral feel and shines with a different character every season of the year. One of my favorite locations, Country Meadows of Wyomissing overlooks the Tulpehocken Creek, once part of the historic Union Canal that connected the Schuylkill and the Susquehanna Rivers. Surrounded by rich foliage, our residents appreciate the touches that pay homage to the land’s original function as farmland, including the barn, the gazebo and the walking trails on campus and along the Creek.

Despite the Leader family’s six-generation farming roots, not all campuses sit on former farmland. Sometimes accessibility and land availability were contributing factors in Country Meadows’ growth decisions.

For example, the Bethlehem campus was selected because of its proximity to Northampton Community College which was already well established and highly regarded. Here our residents could enjoy eating at the restaurant next door run by the college’s culinary arts students, watch college sports and even audit a course or two. Energetic and eager to learn, many NCC students have been wonderful interns, dining aides and part-time co-workers over the years.

West Shore (Mechanicsburg), Allentown and Forks Township (suburban Easton), represent campuses where accessibility played an important role. All three are near connector highways that provide easy access but far enough away that traffic and noise are not a problem. These campuses, while landscaped and walkable, are surrounded by attractive residential communities that make them a welcome adjunct to the neighborhood.

While decisions have not always come easily, what we have learned in our over-40 year history is that there is no one way to grow and scale a company business. But, for us, one thing has always been certain-we are a family who want to be personally involved in operations and committed to the families we serve. We will always strive to make decisions that honor our history while recognizing the needs of our current and future residents.

Thank you for allowing me to indulge in reflecting on some company (and family) history and for taking time to learn a little more about us. We look forward to showing you around one of our beautiful campuses soon. And, perhaps, one day we will meet there.