Author: Aditya Kumar

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Samaritas for expanding its level of service to the local community in Grand Rapids with the opening of its new Senior Affordable Living Community and West Michigan Child and Family Campus.

Samaritas is one of the largest faith-based, nonprofit health and human service organizations in Michigan. Transforming communities since 1934, Samaritas serves more than 20,000 people in Michigan by helping children find loving families, establishing new homes for refugees, offering transitional homes for the homeless, and providing affordable living communities for older adults, families and people with disabilities.

Samaritas believes its staff “are the rocks that start the ripple of transformation” for those they serve. The ripple grew much bigger on Friday with the grand opening of Samaritas’ Senior Affordable Living Community and West Michigan Child and Family Campus in Grand Rapids. Housed within the newly renovated historic St. Joseph Seminary building, the West Michigan Campus expands Samaritas’ ability to serve the community by housing several services under one roof. Affordable housing is the largest health and human service need in not only Michigan but the United States generally, stated Sam Beals in a recent television interview, and Samaritas is proud to include 53 affordable living units for low-income older adults on the new campus. The campus also expands services to children and families, as well as refugees, the homeless, and people with disabilities.

Thank you to Samaritas for continuing to expand your ripples of transformation throughout Michigan’s communities!

By Emily Gross, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach

Today’s Front Line Hero is Luther Manor. For 60 years, Luther Manor has provided exceptional housing and care to seniors in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, and surrounding areas in Wisconsin. Throughout 2020, staff countered the pandemic with creative ways to communicate and connect with residents. Life enrichment specialist Stephanie Rutkowski adapted community activities and communications to be in line with social distancing requirements. She adjusted Luther Manor’s in-house TV channel to provide all-day programming; developed and delivered activity books that residents could complete in their apartments; and established a new project called Hope Garden. Lisa Dawson, a licensed practical nurse in Luther Manor’s Health Care Center, continues to provide empathetic and engaging medical care that is focused on the whole person. Recently, Lisa made sure a long-time resident was able to spend her birthday virtually with family. Volunteer specialist Rachel Miers has stepped in wherever help is needed, all while posting encouraging notes for staff to see as they go about their day.

The entire team at Luther Manor has put on safe and fun community events fit for the season. In early October, staff took residents out for a drive to view the autumn leaves and enjoy fall-themed treats. They also hosted an entire week of Halloween activities, where residents painted “pumpkin portraits,” participated in a raffle, played Halloween bingo, and listened to a live music broadcast on their own in-house channel. In November, Luther Manor aired a special Veteran’s Day ceremony featuring one of their residents playing “Taps” on trumpet. And looking forward to the holidays, the team is putting on “Love Lights,” a program in which donors dedicate a light on a Christmas tree in honor or memory of a loved one.

Luther Manor’s dedication to residents is exemplified by outstanding programs and people. Thank you to Stephanie, Lisa, Rachel, and the rest of the staff for providing such outstanding support to residents in your care!

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio for providing Thanksgiving meals to people without homes.

The Columbus-based Lutheran Social Services provides services across 27 Ohio counties to address challenges related to food, shelter, safety, and healing. The organization runs five permanent food pantries, two homeless shelter programs, domestic violence services and a safe haven shelter, and three social enterprises. In 2017, LSS received the Columbus Foundation Award for helping central Ohioans in need.

In a year when pandemic has forced many into social isolation, the Thanksgiving holiday poses additional challenges for people without housing. LSS intends to help see people through this difficult time by providing turkey dinners for residents of its Faith Mission shelter. For safety, residents will have dedicated areas where they can share their meal with others they are staying with at the shelter. The dinners will be prepared by local motorcycle clubs and will include some of the most important staples of a Thanksgiving dinner—collard greens, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes.

Thank you to LSS for providing food security—and a bit of holiday cheer—to residents this Thanksgiving.

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands for supporting local communities in the wake of the recent hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

LSSVI traces its roots back to 1904 when Princess Louise of Denmark sent two deaconesses to St. Croix to help combat the island’s high infant mortality rate. Today, LSSVI continues to care for infants and toddlers as well as low-income older adults and people with disabilities. The organization is also committed to providing disaster relief to support families most affected by the damage of the recent devastating hurricanes; LLSVI has assembled construction teams of 10–20 people to assist the rebuilding of damaged homes for low-income seniors across St. Croix.

Abiding by its motto “by love, serve one another,” LSSVI is also forging partnerships in the community to ensure its staff and the people they serve receive the resources they need to protect themselves from COVID-19. Financial services corporation Ocwen USVI donated supplies for children and LSSVI employees at Sister Emma Cottage and Queen Louise Home for Children to remain safe and healthy. In addition to COVID relief, supporters in the St. Thomas community donated food and other supplies to help people with disabilities and older adults at LSSVI’s senior living communities prepare for the next hurricane.

Thank you to LSSVI for your steadfast efforts in helping resilient communities across St. Croix carry on.

 By Caitlyn Gudmundsen, Director of Strategic Initiatives

Today’s Front Line Hero is Community Family Life Services, who we recognize on this World AIDS Day for its committed service to people living with HIV/AIDS.

Community Family Life Services (CFLS) has served Washington, DC for more than 50 years, and has gained trust in the community along the way. CFLS provides children, families, and adults with resources needed to move beyond poverty and homelessness, and supports women in their reentry after incarceration. These supports include housing, mentorship, employment programs, as well as health supports such as a HIV testing.

In addition to the supports and services CFLS offers to people living with HIV/AIDS, it is dedicated to eliminating the stigma of the virus, providing public events and education. The regularly scheduled Safe Sex and Testing Parties feature guest speakers who share comprehensive information about risk reduction, as well as opportunities for HIV testing. CFLS is also a proud community partner for the Whitman-Walker Health’s Walk & 5K to End HIV, which engages thousands of DC residents to fundraise and walk or run to show their support for dependable, high-quality healthcare for those living with HIV. The virtual walk occurred on Saturday, October 24, but supporters can continue to donate to the cause through December 31, 2020.

On this World AIDS Day and every day, thank you to Community Family Life Services for the support and high-quality care you provide to people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS!

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains in Colorado for elevating the importance of mental health for our nation’s veterans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LFS considers the mental and emotional well-being of its community a top priority. As the stress and anxiety of the pandemic takes a deeper toll, the organization remains committed to support people who have been affected by COVID-19; LFS provides services through a partnership with the Colorado Spirit Crisis Counseling Program to support people during their recovery.

This past Veterans Day, LFS took an extra step in its recognition of those who serve in uniform. As one of 19 contracted providers of confidential mental and emotional support in Colorado, the organization’s Colorado Spirit Wellness Program hosted a panel of health and human service professionals to explore the difficulties posed by COVID-19 and the resources that are available to veterans, active duty servicemembers, and their families. The panel provided an opportunity to not only hear stories about traumatic situations but to relay important resources related to mental health for the veteran community.

Thank you to LFS for your service to the veteran community and for all individuals seeking a helping hand through this stressful time.

By Emily Gross, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach

Today’s Front Line Hero is Tuff Memorial Home Corporation for their inventive approach to helping older adults have fun and feel more connected to their community.

Located in southwest Minnesota, the organization offers independent and assisted living for older adults ranging from individual apartments to private rooms with skilled nursing and professional care.

Throughout the pandemic, the team at Tuff Memorial Home have hosted a wide array of safe events and activities for residents. In recent months, they held a live music performance featuring a member of The Sioux Falls Tempo Band playing Johnny Cash cover songs, organized a historical presentation with a local reenactor and a covered wagon, and arranged barbecues and picnics – all for residents to enjoy outdoors. Staff have also used social media and their website to encourage open communication between residents and their loved ones through letters, cards, gift boxes, video calls, and visits compliant with social distancing requirements. They have even welcomed animal friends from local rescue organizations to the community – residents have met puppies, kittens, and a zebra this year. Plus, the team worked with local community organizations to arrange a Halloween costume parade and a special service for Veteran’s Day.

Thank you, Tuff Memorial Home Corporation, for truly living your mission and providing heartfelt quality care that contributes to a sense of dignity for older adults.

By Christopher Findlay, Senior Marketing Manager

Today’s Front Line Hero is Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center in Brush, Colorado, for its communal approach to protecting residents from COVID-19.

Eben Ezer leans on its Christian heritage and appreciation for innovation to offer premium person-directed care for older adults and people with disabilities in northeast Colorado. The organization recognizes its residents as individuals with distinct needs and interests, and creates an environment with that in mind that accounts for their emotional and mental well-being in addition to the physical. Companionship, meaningful activity and variety are crucial components of life that Eben Ezer incorporates into the long-term care it delivers.

Eben Ezer prides itself as being not only a provider of continuum care for older adults but an advocate for their health on a larger scale as well. This commitment has taken on new meaning during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October, Eben Ezer CEO Shelly M. Griffith penned an open letter to residents of Morgan County, where the organization is based, to both assure them that the center was doing everything it could to keep its residents safe and to enlist the help of the community as a whole to adhere to health guidelines. Taking simple steps like wearing a mask and social distancing, Griffith wrote, would go a long way to prevent the spread of the virus—and save many lives in the process.

Thank you to Eben Ezer for your transparency and innovative approaches to curbing the coronavirus and keeping those who are at greater risk safe.

By Emily Gross, Senior Manager of Program Development and Outreach

Today’s Front Line Hero is Concordia Place for adapting programming during the pandemic to further help working parents and their children.

Based in Chicago, Concordia Place provides inclusive programs that help children, teens, and adults thrive regardless of their economic background. Ordinarily, Concordia Place’s School-Age 365 Program offers educational and social activities each afternoon after school. But after Chicago Public Schools transitioned entirely to remote learning in response to COVID-19, Concordia Place saw a new need surface in the community for childcare that spans the entire schoolday.

They have since adapted their program to extend to a full-day model that provides access to WiFi, meals and snacks, and support for homework and assignments all within a safe learning environment. Beginning at 7:30 each morning, children enrolled in School-Age 365 can go to one of two centers in downtown Chicago. Highly qualified instructors then guide them through their day, ensuring they log into their classes, providing support during lessons, and assisting with technology and homework. When they are not in class, School-Age 365 kids can safely play and socialize. Concordia Place also offers rates on a sliding scale to ensure the program is affordable for all families.

We applaud Concordia Place for expanding their hours in support of a safe, healthy, and fun learning environment for children that ensures their parents can continue to report to work.