Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey
FEATURE STORY
A resident of Crane’s Mill Retirement Community receives the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mission-Driven Employees Caring for NJ’s Most Frail Population
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hen the coronavirus hit New Jersey in March 2020, Lutheran Social Ministries of New Jersey (LSMNJ), a faith-based non-profit that operates 20 locations across the state, felt the earth shake. Providing services to more than 2,500 individuals through senior living, affordable housing, hospice and home care, the organization braced for the worst. Although it has been a turbulent journey, the more than 500 team members at LSMNJ have remained true to its mission of serving “those in New Jersey who hurt, who are in need, or who have limited choices” throughout the pandemic. Of the many programs operated by LSMNJ, the most notably affected during COVID-19 have been Crane’s Mill Retirement Community, The Villa at Florham
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Park, and Lutheran Senior LIFE PACE Program. These communities are located in northern New Jersey, the state’s initial COVID-19 epicenter. They all also provide essential care to the most vulnerable and frail elderly population. “We had days over the past twelve months that have been overwhelmingly sad and solemn,” recalled Colleen Frankenfield, President and CEO of LSMNJ. “We’ve lost residents that have meant a great deal to us and even an employee.” Frankenfield continued, “However, throughout the crisis we have learned so much about the power of the team working together as one. Every department and every team member has cared for our clients, residents and participants as they would their own family.” With more than 80 percent of
LSMNJ’s staff providing direct health care to seniors and hospice patients, the pandemic has shined a beaming light on the unwavering dedication and personal commitment of LSMNJ’s everyday HEROES. From the leadership team to the nursing staff, housekeeping, property managers, maintenance and marketing – everyone has made personal sacrifices and voluntarily stepped into harm’s way. During the toughest times, LSMNJ executive staff members willingly moved into Crane’s Mill, a senior care community, to give relief to the RNs and LPNs who were already working double shifts as a result of COVID-19. Others took on alternate roles to assist where they were needed. Many employees placed their personal
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