Our historical roots take us back to 1964 when Pastor Edward Tornow moved with his family to the Fargo-Moorhead community. Pastor and Mrs. Tornow and their son, Eddie, immediately looked for an activity center that Eddie could attend. Eddie was 16 years old and was born with Down Syndrome. The Tornows found no services available in Fargo but did find Harbor School in Moorhead where Eddie was enrolled. Pastor Tornow made it his mission to work toward the development of services in Fargo, N.D.
However, not wanting to wait for the state to take action, Pastor Tornow inspired parents to begin something themselves. After some years of collaborating with the Cass County Association of Retarded Citizens and the Red River Day Activity Center, Pastor Tornow became aware that the Presentation Sisters had some empty rooms in Sacred Heart Convent, now the present day Riverview Place in Fargo. Approaching Sister Rosaria Acton, he told about his dream of a short-term stay facility that would provide activities for young people who had a developmental disability. He asked if the program could temporarily be housed at Sacred Heart Convent. After conferring with the Sisters, Sister Rosaria reported to Pastor Tornow that "yes," the program could begin at Sacred Heart Convent. Therefore, in the late summer of 1974, Friendship Village was born.
Pastor Tornow felt the name Friendship Village was chosen because "it was meant to be a place of love and understanding, reaching out in the Savior's name to people whose needs were great and so often misunderstood. Pastor Tornow and his wife are still very much aware of the happenings at Friendship, Inc. as their son, Eddie, now lives in one of the group homes and receives day supports in Fargo.
Catholic Health Initiatives' vision is to create a national
catholic ministry which will live out its mission by transforming
traditional health care delivery into integrated networks and creating
new ministries that promote healthier communities.
Feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions, questions, grievences or
if you would like to receive more information about
Friendship, Inc. or Catholic Health Initiatives,
please contact us by e-mail or at the
following addresses or phone numbers:
Friendship, Inc.
801 Page Drive
Fargo, ND 58103
(701) 235-8217
Friendship, Inc.
554 West 12 St.
Grafton, ND 58237
(701) 352-0060
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