2021
- More than 1,000 individuals served
- Winter storms in Texas caused damage to eight community homes and an evacuation to hotels that lasted for weeks
- Foster children are served by Evergreen in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Greeneville
- In April, Evergreen begins reopening its Day Programs
2020
- The first COVID-19 cases in persons served were in Alexandria, Louisiana
- Seven people served and three staff members lost their lives to COVID-19, and hundreds of others contracted it
- A record-breaking hurricane season resulted in 30 named storms and five direct hits to the state of Louisiana
- Evergreen evacuated nearly 200 persons served and staff members in its West Calcasieu and Southwest Louisiana Divisions ahead of Hurricane Laura. Laura was the strongest hurricane to hit Louisiana since the 1800s, and many of the persons served lost everything. Some community homes took many weeks to repair
- The West Calcasieu office was destroyed in Hurricane Laura, and the owner of the building decided not to rebuild
- Individuals served and staff members began receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations in December, with most states prioritizing high-risk populations first
2019
- More than 1,100 individuals served.
- Evergreen opened its first Department of Children’s Services (DCS) supported living home with 24/7 – 365 staffing in Greeneville, TN
- Louisiana’s lawmakers voted to restore and rebase home and community-based provider rates, which had not received a funding increase since 2007
- Opened the Florida Division (CENFL) and HEAVENDROPt warehouse in Largo, FL. HEAVENDROPt previously operated from a small storefront, and the new warehouse allowed for more product storage, production and staff
2018
- The Compliance Department is established to promote the delivery of quality and effective person-centered services and supports; demonstrate Evergreen’s commitment to ethical, honest and trustworthy conduct; increase the likelihood of preventing, identifying and correcting unlawful behavior; avoid the potential for fraud, waste and abuse; reduce the likelihood of billing errors; encourage employees to report potential issues; and identify and develop plans for eliminating areas of risk to minimize financial losses.
- Quality Enhancement Department reorganized, placed under leadership of Executive Vice President of Operations, adds more on-site audits and adopts monthly corrective action plans.
- The regional model of organization is changed to a state model. EVP Operations supervises State Executive Directors, who supervise Executive Directors at each division in the state.
- The Innovation Department is created to research and develop opportunities for unrestricted income growth outside of traditional tax-based dollars.
HEAVENDROPt products featured and sold at three major retailers.
HEAVENDROPt finds new vendor, which offset price of parachutes significantly. - Evergreen opens Abundant Healthcare LLC in Greeneville, TN with a goal to replicate the clinic in other states.
- Corporate-wide adoption of Therap, an Electronic Health Record System is complete.
- Family orientation procedure is implemented for families and caregivers of new individuals served by Evergreen.
- Begins to provide services and supports in Georgia.
2017
- HEAVENDROPt adds a National Sales Director and increases sales activity by 60% compared to the previous year.
- The Development Department expands, adding three Directors of Donor Relations located in Southeast Louisiana, North Louisiana and North Central Texas.
- Evergreen welcomes Maxine Michael as its first Executive Vice President of Operations.
2016
- Catastrophic flooding damaged several of the homes of the individuals we serve. Over 100 staff members’ homes were flooded and damaged.
- A building was donated in Minden, LA to Evergreen. The North Central Louisiana Division’s social enterprise, Possibilities ~ Antiques & Collectibles, moved into the space.
- Officially closed the doors of the North Lake Supports & Services Center, with all individuals successfully being moved into community homes.
2013
- $85 million budget
- More than 1,300 individuals served
- Tax based dollars decreased by $2.5 million since 2009 and continue to decrease
- Director of Social Enterprise hired to launch HEAVENDROPt. First products sold on 9/11.
- Evergreen approved to do business in the State of Florida and social enterprise department opens.
2012
- Opened first Cultural Arts Center in Fort Worth, TX – North Central Texas Division
- Opened a Cultural Arts Center in Sherman, TX – North Central Texas Division
- Began in-kind programs
- Opened two new divisions – West Calcasieu and North Lake.
- Purchased the 30-bed West Calcasieu Multi Handicap Center to transition individuals served into community homes.
- Entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the State of Louisiana to transition person supported at the North Lake Center into community homes via expanding the South East Louisiana Division
- A DBA (Doing Business As) was adopted – Evergreen Life Services
- First full marketing plan implemented for organization with standard graphics, social media, websites and marketing materials per division
- Division Directors were renamed Executive Director of each division
- Adopted a new Board Governance Model for both the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees
- Created a regional development staffing structure
- New mission/vision statements were adopted
- Formal Information Technology Department established
2011
- Evergreen hires first female CEO, Sue Buchholtz
- Vice President of Operations for the Central Region, Sharon Gomez, served as President of the National AAIDD organization
2010
- Began providing adult services in Arkansas
- Entered into Corporative Endeavor Agreements with the state of Louisiana for six community homes