Our Story
Cardenas Friendship Homes is built on a simple belief: people deserve more than a place where their daily needs are met. They deserve a home where they are known, where their choices matter, and where care is provided with patience, attentiveness, and genuine compassion.
That belief guides every part of our work. As a family-owned and operated organization, our decisions stay close to the people they affect. We take the time to know our residents and their families, remain responsive as needs change, and protect the familiar routines and personal connections that make a place feel like home.
Today, Cardenas Friendship Homes operates four residential homes serving Dakota and Hennepin counties. Depending on the location, our homes support older adults and adults with physical disabilities who need additional assistance in their daily lives.
Our mission
To provide personalized residential care in a warm and secure environment where every person is treated with dignity, supported in maintaining independence, and surrounded by people who care for them like family.
We want each resident to experience the comfort and belonging of home while receiving dependable support from people they know and trust. Our care is designed to preserve privacy, dignity, independence, and meaningful involvement in everyday life.
Care philosophy
Personalized care starts with knowing the person
Good care is never one-size-fits-all. It grows from daily trust, thoughtful attention, and a clear understanding of what helps each resident feel comfortable and confident.
Our approach is grounded in four commitments:
Listen first
Every person enters our home with their own history, preferences, routines, relationships, and goals. We take time to understand what matters to each resident before determining how we can best support them.
Protect dignity and independence
Needing assistance should not mean losing control over everyday life. We provide support while encouraging residents to continue making choices, participating in familiar activities, and doing what they can for themselves.
Build genuine relationships
Care becomes more meaningful when it is provided by familiar people. Our caregivers work to build trust through consistency, patience, conversation, and the small everyday gestures that help residents feel known.
Partner with families and care teams
Families remain an important part of a resident’s life and are encouraged to stay involved. When appropriate, our team also works with primary physicians and other health professionals to help residents receive coordinated support.
What makes Cardenas different
A more personal alternative to a larger facility
Large care facilities can offer many resources, but they are not the right environment for everyone. Cardenas Friendship Homes provides an alternative: a residential setting with familiar spaces, a quieter daily rhythm, and more opportunities for personal connection.
Our residents are not expected to disappear into a standard routine. Whenever possible, we shape support around the individual—from meals and activities to personal care, communication, and everyday preferences.
In our homes, the details matter. A favorite meal. A preferred morning routine. Time spent talking with a caregiver. A familiar place to relax. These moments help residents maintain their identity and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
The Cardenas difference
A real residential setting
Comfortable homes and familiar shared spaces offer an experience that feels more personal than an institutional environment.
Care shaped around the individual
We learn what makes each resident feel comfortable, respected, and secure, then adapt our support as their needs change.
Relationships built over time
Familiar caregivers have the opportunity to understand residents’ personalities, communication styles, and daily routines.
Respect for privacy and independence
We provide help without losing sight of each person’s right to make choices and maintain as much independence as possible.
Family-centered support
Families are welcomed as partners and encouraged to remain connected and involved in their loved one’s life.
Leadership
Our leadership team sets the tone for every Cardenas Friendship Home. They support our caregivers, maintain high expectations for quality and safety, communicate with families, and make sure our values are reflected in the everyday experience of each resident.
Because we are family-owned and operated, our leadership remains personally connected to the people and communities we serve. We believe trust is earned through presence, honest communication, thoughtful decisions, and following through on what we promise.
Our caregivers
The people who make each home feel like home
Our caregivers bring skill, patience, and heart to their work. Through ongoing training and professional growth, they are prepared to provide dependable assistance while building the familiar relationships that help residents feel safe and supported.
Caregiving is about more than completing tasks. It is noticing when someone needs encouragement, remembering the details that make them comfortable, listening to their concerns, and being present through periods of change. Our goal is for every caregiver to become a trusted and reassuring part of daily life—an extension of the resident’s circle of support.