Our Story
What began as a small ministry of faith and compassion has grown into a community of care that transforms lives every day.
Through our Care Center, Services, and Day Habilitation Programs, we provide opportunities for personal growth, meaningful connection, and a genuine sense of belonging. Each person we serve is seen, known, and supported in ways that honor their unique strengths and goals.
For us, this work is our calling. We partner closely with families, caregivers, and communities to create spaces where each person can grow in confidence and purpose.
Family at the Heart of Our Care
Family is central to everything we do. At Flat Rock, we see our work as an extension of the love and support that already surround each individual — not a replacement for it.
Many residents spend weekends or holidays with their families, and we encourage loved ones to stay closely involved in daily life.
As one parent once said, “I gave my son birth, but Flat Rock gave him life.”
That simple truth captures who we are: a community grounded in compassion, where every person is valued and cared for.
A Legacy of Faith and Service
Flat Rock Homes began during the Civil War, when Rev. L. Scheuerman of the Fremont Mission called on churches to care for children orphaned by the conflict. In response, George and Susan Weiker donated farmland in Sandusky County, leading to the opening of the first home in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1866 with 12 children.
By 1868, the ministry soon outgrew its space. The Ebenezer Orphan Institute was established on a 170-acre farm near Flat Rock, Ohio, grounded in the principles of God, Benevolence, Education, and Charity. In the decades that followed, the home expanded with cottages and classrooms, providing both education and faith-centered community for children.
Through the late 1800s and early 1900s, the orphanage became a thriving place of faith and learning. Children and staff shared in the work of daily life, learning responsibility and care through tending the campus farm. Across the road, the Ebenezer Church, built in 1871, became the spiritual heart of the community — a presence that continues today as Flat Rock Ebenezer United Methodist Church.
By the mid-1900s, Flat Rock Children’s Home had become a national ministry supported by congregations across the country. When the denomination merged in 1968, Flat Rock formed a lasting covenant with the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, a partnership that continues to guide its mission today.
A defining moment came after the Blizzard of 1978 destroyed the main building. Rather than close, leaders shifted the ministry’s purpose — transitioning from orphan care to providing homes and specialized support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This launched Flat Rock Care Center, marking a new chapter in its history.
By 2004, Flat Rock had completed a campus renewal, replacing outdated facilities with a modern, fully accessible care center featuring six homes, therapy and nursing spaces, and shared community areas. The dedication service honored the ministry’s past while celebrating its future.
Today, Flat Rock Homes continues its 160-year tradition of compassionate service, providing person-centered support for nearly 100 individuals across Erie, Huron, Lorain, Seneca, and Sandusky Counties.
What began as a small act of faith in 1866 has grown into a lasting ministry of dignity, hope, and belonging for people of all abilities.
History at a Glance
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1866 – Ebenezer Orphan Institute founded in Tiffin, Ohio
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1868 – Campus established near Flat Rock
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1871 – Ebenezer Church built
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1968 – Covenant with East Ohio Conference, United Methodist Church
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1978 – Transition to developmental disability care
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1992 – Launch of Flat Rock Community Services
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2004 – New care center facility dedicated
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Today – Serving nearly 100 individuals through residential and community program
Values That Guide Us
Our values guide every decision, action, and relationship, continuing the vision and faith of our Christian founders.
- Respect: Treat everyone in our diverse community, including those we serve, their families and colleagues, with dignity.
- Compassion: Provide a culture of caring, treating those we serve and family members with sensitivity and empathy.
- Integrity: Adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and personal responsibility, worthy of trust.
- Achievement: Inspire hope and nurture the fullest potential of the whole person, respecting physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
- Teamwork: Value the contributions of all, blending the skills of individual staff members in unsurpassed collaboration.
- Excellence: Deliver the best outcomes and highest quality service through the dedicated effort of every team member.
- Innovation: Infuse and energize the organization, enhancing the lives of those we serve, through the creative ideas and unique talents of each team member.
- Stewardship: Sustain and reinvest in our mission and extended communities by wisely managing our human, natural and material resources.
- Community: Engage in collaboration with community members and organizations for service provision and advocacy.
Real Stories of Transformation
“When we found Flat Rock Homes, we found more than care — we found family.”
Every story at Flat Rock begins with compassion and grows into confidence, independence, and joy.
Be Part of the Story
Flat Rock’s legacy continues through families, donors, staff, and community partners who know every person deserves to belong.
