The Charter from the Past points to the Future

When our charter was granted April 19 1890 as the Deutsches Altenheim, it was to “…build and maintain a home in which aged and deserving Germans of both sexes with inadequate means for their support may find comfortable and healthy rooms , good board…and care to the end of their lives”. In 1946 the charter was amended to include both German and non-German elderly and also adding a general charitable purpose”. Specifically the “cultural activities include…a public library, a small museum on German heritage and culture, and a Saturday German language school.” Our 2005 charter petition to the California State Attorney General also mentions century old traditions such as the Maifest held on the grounds. On “August 23, 2005 the state AG indicated that it would not oppose the petition”, and thus we are operating on the same charter we began with over 121 years ago. This is the mark of real continuity—a continuous purpose.