Looking Back, Moving Forward
November 25, 2025 | Kline Galland Staff, Other News, Resources
For more than a century, Kline Galland has stood on a foundation of compassion, community, and care. As outgoing Board Chair Bob Simon reflects on his years of service, he sees not only how far we’ve come – but how powerfully positioned we are for the next hundred years!
Bob’s connection to Kline Galland began like so many others: through family. After experiencing firsthand the challenges many seniors face when their needs grow beyond what a typical community can support, he found himself drawn to Kline Galland’s unique commitment to providing a true family of services. “It’s traumatic to have to move from one place to another — even more so as we age,” he shared. Kline Galland ensures people don’t have to.
His involvement deepened naturally. Committee service became board service, and, eventually, leadership as Board Chair. Through it all, Bob says one thing has consistently inspired him: the character and dedication of the trustees. “This is a group that doesn’t shy away from difficult challenges. They lean in so Kline Galland can be stronger for the community.”
One of those challenges was understanding organizational risk, everything from fire safety to the cybersecurity protections that shield sensitive information. Over five years, the Board worked methodically to distinguish what risks could be mitigated and what simply had to be managed. Today, Kline Galland is better protected and better prepared.
The capital campaign: A turning point built by the community
When planning for the current capital campaign began, the vision was ambitious: raise $30 million over four years. But the community had other ideas. Thanks to extraordinary generosity and strong leadership — beginning with Honorary Campaign co-chairs Karen and Gary Schwartz — that milestone was reached in under two years.
“It gave the Board tremendous confidence,” Bob recalls. “It showed us how deeply people believe in this mission.” All trustees stepped up.
With that momentum, the board expanded the campaign’s timeline and goal. The community’s support is now helping ensure many future opportunities. One important addition: that seniors who outlive their financial resources still have access to compassionate, high-quality care. As Bob notes, “People are living longer than anyone ever expected. We want to include as many people as possible, and do more good across our entire community.”
Additional funds will also secure the Kline Galland legacy for generations to come. They will strengthen the physical campuses, ensuring the ability to adapt to new innovations in senior care. And they will expand the reach of Benaroya Services, which now supports hundreds of people aging safely at home. Our one year extension of our capital campaign will raise critical funds for our endowment, to help our organization ensure it is well positioned to meet the expected challenges in budgetary cuts while maintaining our commitment to high quality, compassionate care.
A future powered by purpose
Caroline Kline Galland founded this organization to care for indigent Jewish women. Her legacy has grown into a broad and inclusive mission, serving seniors of all backgrounds, races, religions, and orientations, whether on campus or in their homes. But Bob is quick to point out who makes it all possible:
“The 750 staff and 250 volunteers are the heroes. They are the reason people choose Kline Galland. They’re the heartbeat of everything we do.”
Looking ahead 100 years, Bob imagines a Kline Galland that continues to lead with compassion and innovation; a future that uses advances in healthcare and technology to enhance quality of life, not just longevity. His hope is that younger generations will become more familiar with the remarkable breadth of services Kline Galland provides and carry the mission forward.
“People have a choice,” he says. “And because of our heroes, that choice is a family of services at the highest levels.”
Thanks to this campaign and the community that fuels it, Kline Galland is poised to meet the needs of today’s seniors and build a brighter, more supportive future for all who will follow. We are grateful for Bob Simon’s years of service and thank him for his extraordinary tenure serving as Board Chair for Kline Galland.
To learn more and donate, visit our capital campaign page.
###
Sources: interview with Bob Simon; Kline Galland website
