About
About Givens Highland Farms
Givens Highland Farms residents contribute their broad range of interests, vast experiences, and fascinating backgrounds to enrich their new home. Nearly 375 senior residents come together at Givens Highland Farms after building lives in places across the country and traveling throughout the world. These varied experiences promote an atmosphere of camaraderie and community in every sense of the word.
Our Values
Along with our vision and mission, our four core values are People Passionate, Make a Difference, Power of Community, and Do What’s Right.
People Passionate
Make a Difference
Power of Community
Do What’s Right
Our History
Givens Highland Farms has a proud tradition of service and quality for 50 years, starting in November 1971, when businessman and developer Chet Prentice worked with local civic and church leaders to open Highland Farms Health Care Center.
What started as a 60-bed nursing facility has evolved to a vibrant, flourishing, licensed Life Plan Community, also known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC, on a beautiful 75-acre campus with stunning views of the Western North Carolina mountains. Today, Givens Highland Farms provides active, independent retirement living and services to nearly 375 active senior adults.
Originally a for-profit community, Highland Farms grew in its first decade and then expanded further in the 1990s with the addition of a licensed Home Care, a renovation program, and the addition of four freestanding homes. In 2004, Highland Farms became fully licensed by the state of North Carolina as a CCRC.
Highland Farms joined Givens Communities, a nonprofit organization locally based in Asheville, in December 2012. This mutually beneficial acquisition and the sharing of resources enables even more improvement and growth with expansion plans for dining and our health services. These projects will help us continue to provide quality services and “expand the possibilities” for our senior residents.
There are now four senior living communities that comprise Givens Communities. The mission of Givens Communities is to improve lives through communities, services, and outreach. Learn more by visiting the Givens Communities website or reading the Givens Communities e-brochure.
Givens Highland Farms Leadership
Serving our residents with professionalism and compassion is instilled in our staff. Loyalty and stability are also part of our work culture, with staff members proudly wearing pins that commemorate impressive years of service, ranging from 15 to 40 years. The driving force behind our team’s outstanding service is the desire to provide expert care and the guidance of our strong leadership.
Best Place to Retire
With natural beauty, an affordable cost of living, vibrant dining and shopping, plus rich arts and culture, it is no wonder that the Black Mountain area is a favorite among these national publications.
Money.com lists the Asheville region as one of the “The 10 Best Places to Retire in America.”
Forbes.com lists as “The Best Places to Retire in 2020“
Livability.com ranked Asheville No. 6 on the “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.“
BestCities.org ranked the metropolitan area No. 5 in its Top 50 of “America’s Best Small Cities“
Travel & Leisure ranked Asheville No. 3 in its “Top 50 Best Places to Travel in 2020“
Oprah’s O Magazine ranks Black Mountain as No. 8 in its “ Ten Charming Towns You Should Visit”
Black Mountain
Nestled at the base of the mountain range that provides its name, Black Mountain is a bustling small town with independently-owned shops, unique galleries, and innovative restaurants. It’s the perfect intersection of culture and outdoor adventure. Leisurely cruise on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a scenic fall drive. Hike to a nearby waterfall overlook, or spend the day strolling through the friendly and walkable downtown area pursuing the art galleries and artisan crafts.
Everything Within Reach
In addition to visual arts, the lively town of Black Mountain is no stranger to entertainment and fun, with musical venues that book acts ranging from classic to pop to bluegrass. Some of our Givens Highland Farms senior residents are renowned artists and musicians in their own right.
Socialize with friends and neighbors at our local breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Or for those with a sweet tooth, our little town boasts a variety of shops that serve up ice cream and other frozen treats.
Outdoor Activities
You can head north and visit Mount Mitchell State Park, the tallest summit east of the Mississippi River. Or stick closer to home for the relatively short hike with a big panoramic payoff at Craggy Gardens Pinnacle. Pack a lunch and walk to an overlook where you can take in the powerful beauty of one of Western North Carolina’s waterfalls. Whether you like to hike, bike, fish, or paddle, you will find numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation given the city’s proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pisgah National Forest.
Giving Back
Givens Highland Farms is a nonprofit life plan community that welcomes financial support. We offer giving opportunities that directly impact the lives of seniors, improve the quality of life for our residents, and support our outstanding employees.
Your generosity ensures that Givens Highland Farms secures its leadership position and service for future generations and strengthens our ministry to seniors. We value your impact and commitment to this worthy vision.
Financial Assistance
The Resident Assistance Ministry helps in instances where a resident’s cost of living outweighs their income. This ministry requires approximately $1 million annually with support from residents, staff, Board members, churches, and friends. We also maintain a Staff Assistance Ministry when our team members need help.
Interested in making a donation? Click the button to find out how.
Endowment Gifts
Givens Highland Farms is fortunate to have people who have established endowment funds to enrich our ministry. The Resident Assistance Ministry receives the majority of its funding resources from these endowments.
Customized Giving
Customized or planned benefits include increased income, tax deductions, and partial or complete bypass of potential capital gains on appreciated property. Information is available at GivensLegacy.org regarding Estates and Planned Giving for residents and other gift planning professionals.
Naming Opportunities
Honor loved ones and special friends by leaving a legacy that will have a significant and positive impact well into the future. Capital projects such as our Chapel and recent expansion include opportunities for making gifts that recognize a loved one, a donor, or a special friend.
Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. In addition, some companies match donations made by retirees or spouses and even double or triple contributions.
To learn more about giving or donating online, visit the Givens Communities Giving webpage.
