03/26/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Honoring the Schmidt Legacy: A Story of Vision, Resilience, and the Future of Senior Housing in Orland
Orland, CA — March 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM
WestHaven Housing & Community Services Association invites members of the media to attend and cover a special community event, “Honoring the Schmidt Legacy,” taking place Friday, March 27 at 11:00 AM at The Village at WestHaven in Orland.
This event offers a timely and compelling opportunity to revisit and update the regional conversation around affordable and attainable senior housing, previously highlighted in a 2024 feature by Action News Now TV news reporter Margot Rowe. Since that coverage, WestHaven has undergone a significant transformation—one that reflects both the challenges and opportunities facing senior care and housing providers across Northern California.
A Local Story with Regional Relevance
What began as a 28-word charitable bequest from Everett and Edith Schmidt—calling simply for the establishment of a retirement home—has grown into a more than 9-acre senior living campus serving dozens of residents through a range of housing and care options.
Over the past two decades, the project has evolved through:
The development of licensed assisted living and memory care communities
Expansion into a broader “Village” model of senior housing
Strategic partnerships and community-based planning
And most recently, a transition into innovative Supportive Senior Living (SIL) models designed to meet the changing needs of today’s aging population
A Defining Moment: Pandemic to Transformation
Like many care providers, WestHaven faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2023), navigating outbreaks, staffing pressures, and uncertainty around the future of traditional licensed care models.
In response, the organization made a pivotal decision in 2022 to evolve its approach—ultimately leading to a strategic partnership with CiminoCare and the sale of its licensed care operations in December 2024.
That transition has allowed WestHaven to reinvest in:
Purpose-built senior housing
Expanded independent and shared living options
A more flexible, community-based approach to aging
Expanding Beyond Housing: Training the Next Generation
In 2026, WestHaven launched WestHaven Learning LIVE!, a state-approved training program preparing future administrators for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE). The program is already underway locally, with additional cohorts scheduled in the Sacramento region and planned expansion into the Bay Area.
This initiative positions WestHaven not only as a housing provider, but as a regional leader in workforce development for senior care.
Why This Story Matters Now
As California continues to grapple with the “graying” of its population and a shortage of affordable, scalable senior housing options, the WestHaven story provides a rare, real-world example of:
A community-driven solution evolving over time
Adaptive leadership through crisis
New models of housing that bridge independence and support
The long-term impact of local philanthropy
Event Details
Event: Honoring the Schmidt Legacy
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: WestHaven Learning Center
The Village at WestHaven
Orland, CA
Media are invited to:
Attend the presentation and legacy program
Tour the campus and new housing developments
Conduct interviews with leadership and community members
Capture visual footage of the campus and residents
Media Contact
Wade S. Elliott
Project Development Director
WestHaven Housing & Community Services Association
📞 530-865-5299
📧 wade.elliott@westhavenlearninglive.com
🌐 www.westhavenorland.com
About WestHaven
WestHaven Housing & Community Services Association is a nonprofit organization based in Orland, California, dedicated to developing innovative housing solutions and community-based services for seniors. Located at The Village at WestHaven, the organization continues to expand its impact through housing, education, and community partnerships.
Closing Note for Editors
This event offers a strong visual and human-interest story, including:
A multi-decade community development effort
The real-life impact of a charitable legacy
Post-pandemic transformation in senior care
Innovative housing solutions addressing a growing statewide issue
![" I have no words to fully express our satisfaction with all of the loving care [he] received while living at WestHaven....](https://img4.findhealthclinics.com/042/273/1583781860422733.jpg)
