Our Story

our story

Envisioned and supported by the John D. Brubaker Family Foundation, Mindhaven is a nonprofit organization focused on reimagining the experience of memory loss by providing support for patients and their care partners alongside empathetic clinical care at a unique, community-oriented location in Evanston, Illinois.

Embedded in the local Evanston community and open to all, Mindhaven will include:

Garden

A garden that serves as the centerpiece of the location—a calm, contemplative, restorative place that honors John D. “Jake” Brubaker’s love of nature

Clinic

A world-class clinic where Endeavor Health providers support patients and care partners in a comfortable, familial environment

Nests

Nests where patients and care partners can relax and engage with one another

Gathering

Gathering spaces where visitors participate in programs ranging from art therapy and exercise classes, to concerts and workshops focused on health and wellness

Coffee Bar

A public coffee bar that offers light refreshments in a friendly atmosphere

Through a partnership with Endeavor Health, Mindhaven merges the best of the clinical world with the best of the caring world. This innovative model will allow patients to receive excellent neurological care, experiential therapies, and essential support resources under one roof.

Nowhere else can patients receive superb clinical care alongside a breadth of enriching programs supported by rigorous research. Our unique center will serve as a true haven for individuals with memory loss, the people who love them, and empathetic professionals committed to supporting them.

Jake’s Place

Mindhaven honors the legacy of John D. “Jake” Brubaker, a successful businessman and philanthropist in Rockford, Illinois, who passed away from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease in 2020. While Jake received excellent medical care, his family members also gained firsthand understanding of the difficulties facing memory loss patients and their loved ones. These range from a lack of emotional support for the individuals who serve as care partners to gaps in services that interrupt and prevent a holistic, integrated continuum of patient care. Mindhaven offers an experience that millions of patients like Jake deserve: a new kind of memory care center focused on providing continuity and support within a broader caring community.

Our Team

Jay Baker

Board Member

Erin Beto

Board Member

Steven Brubaker

Board Chair

Together we’re rewriting the story of memory care.Join us today.