Jewish Senior Living Newsletter MARCH 2016 - VOLUME 4, ISSUE 3 Keeping you connected to our communities.
Franklin Pierce Elementary School Students Bring Happiness to Our Residents Reading benefits residents and students alike Julie Shlensky, Posner Chair for Intergenerational Programming
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hroughout the school year, students from Franklin Pierce Elementary School bring the Read to Me Program to residents of the Jewish Home and Care Center. To the delight of residents in the Ruth Coleman Center, Helen Bader Center and participants of the Adult Day Center, the students, who are transported via a bus provided by a generous grant from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation through the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation, share more than just words with their reading partners. The students are greeted with waving hands from the smiling residents as they enter the room. “Hi, boys! You want to read?” exclaimed one resident with delight. For each visit seniors are paired with students
or put in groups to listen to third and fifth graders as they read a book they chose especially for their meeting that day. According to Carol Hooker, school support teacher, “Students are very conscientious when selecting books they want to share with the seniors.” One student brought her favorite book. Another student explained, “I decided to read the book I brought because I read it before and it was interesting to me. I thought it would be interesting to the seniors.” Students stated many reasons for liking the Read to Me Program. “I’m happy to leave school!” explains one student. Others say that they love to read and see “Franklin Pierce Elementary,” page 4
Students from Franklin Pierce Elementary School read to a JHCC resident and an Adult Day Center participant.
In This Issue
Franklin Pierce Elementary School Students Bring Happiness to Our Residents A “Thank You” to Social Workers
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Getting to Know Sarah Breach, Social Work Intern Upcoming Events
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A “Thank You” to Social Workers March is National Social Work Month Liz Brach, Donor Stewardship Coordinator They are our residents’ advocates and loyal friends, their problem solvers and educators; they are our social workers. This March, we honor our social workers for all of the support and services they provide to residents every day. The social workers at the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living, and Sarah Chudnow Community work diligently every day to carry out the mission of their profession, and consistently provide hope and warmth to residents and family members. Social Work Month, begun in the 1960s, is celebrated every March by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). This year, we acknowledge our social workers’ dedication to residents through the 2016 theme
“I see the residents as our teachers; we learn so much from them,” explained Sarah Cohen, JHCC social worker. of “Forging Solutions Out of Challenges.” Carolyn Schuman, social worker at Chai Point, says, “Much of what I do here day-to-day is problem solving and solution finding. From helping residents sort through their junk mail and getting them registered to vote all the way to working one-onone with their family members, I’m here to resolve problems and advocate for our residents.” Just as at Chai Point, social workers at the Jewish Home and Care Center are continuously problem solving for residents. The Jewish Home and Care Center
Chai Point social workers Dana Rubin-Winkelman and Carolyn Schuman
Stay Connected 2 | JSL News | March 2016
has five social workers spread through the building. Tiffany Blackmon works on the rehab unit in the Avrum and Anita Chudnow Center, Andrea Smith is on the Ruth Coleman Center, Diana Joseph is in the Garner Center, Sarah Cohen works in the Helen Bader Center (1410 Building), and Ruth Bryskier works in the Helen Bader Center (1414 Building). Social workers at the Jewish Home and Care Center are working continuously each day to advocate for residents and be a positive part of their lives. “I see the residents as our teachers; we learn so much from see “Thank You” page 5
JHCC social workers Andrea Smith, Diana Joseph, Sarah Cohen, Ruth Bryskier and Tiffany Blackmon
Visit our website and donate online at www.jewishseniorliving.org. Questions? Call the JHCC Foundation Office at 414.721.9255.
Getting to Know Sarah Breach, Social Work Intern Our partnership with UWM continues Liz Brach, Donor Stewardship Coordinator
Every year, Chai Point Senior Living hosts a social work intern as a part of University of WisconsinMilwaukee’s Social Work Master’s Degree program. This semester, we welcome Sarah Breach. Sarah interns at Chai Point on Mondays and Tuesdays. In recognition of Social Work Month, we spoke with Sarah and invite you to get to know her too. Liz Brach: How did you come to be interning with our organization? Sarah Breach: I’m earning my master’s degree in Social Work at UWM, and an internship is part of the program. I was placed here, and I’m working closely alongside Carolyn Schuman and Dana RubinWinkelman, both social workers at Chai Point. I started interning at the end of January 2016 and I’ll be here through August. So far, it’s been such a great experience! LB: What will you be doing during your time with us? SB: I’ll mostly be working one-on-one with the residents here, and I’ll also be working directly with the families. I’m really excited to be here helping the residents. LB: Tell us about how you decided to study social work. SB: It’s in my blood. Both my mom and my sister are social workers. I did my undergrad at University of Wisconsin-Madison in Sociology and Social Welfare. After I graduated, I worked for three years as a caregiver for seniors in the community. After working for a few years, I decided that it was time to go back to school for Social Work.
Sarah and Chai Point Senior Living resident Elaine Hornick share a laugh and conversation
about before, and thought that it mostly had to do with people staying in their homes. Now that I’m here, I see that this is such a wonderful facility for people because they don’t have to move across town to a different place when their needs change. They can stay here and still have their friends stop by for a visit. LB: Where are you from? SB: I’m originally from Racine, Wisconsin. I’ve been living here in Milwaukee since I graduated from UWMadison, and I’m here on the East Side. I really do like it here in Milwaukee and definitely plan to stay after I get my master’s. LB: What do you like to do in your free time? SB: I stay pretty laid back! I like to read science fiction and fantasy books, play video games, listen to music, and I also like to play the violin. n
LB: Though it’s early in your internship, could you tell us about something you have learned? SB: So far, it’s been interesting to learn about the idea of ‘aging in place.’ It’s something that I hadn’t thought
JSL in the News
Carolyn Schuman, MSW, CAPSW, at Chai Point Senior Living, offers insight on how to determine the best housing choice for your aging parents --> http://ow.ly/XBRWM March 2016 | JSL News | 3
Franklin Pierce Elementary continued from page 1
want to give back to the community. Residents are impressed with how well the students read. Margaret, a participant in the Adult Day Center, exclaims, “The children are just beautiful! They read and read and read. It is great that they donate their time to read to us.” Ms. Gordon, a teacher at Franklin Pierce Elementary School for six years, believes the students from Pierce are “rays of sunshine” to the residents. “My students spread love through reading,” she says. Gordon tries to teach her students that you get back what you put out in this world. Her goal is not to just teach math and reading. She wants her students to learn how to nurture and care for others. “Book knowledge goes
“My students spread love through reading,” says Mrs. Gordon, teacher at Franklin Pierce Elementary out the window if you don’t know how to interact with people,” she adds. “Our residents are dedicated to helping the children read. It gives them a purpose. The experience helps build the self-esteem of both the residents and the students,” says Carol Lukaszewicz, activities director at the Jewish Home and Care Center. Hooker adds “Students who don’t normally read look forward to reading to their senior friends.” The students, residents, teachers and even staff are sad when it is time for the children to return to school. As they walk down the hallway to board the bus Margaret says, “Thank you, honey,” to her reading partner. Everyone is looking forward to the next visit of the Read to Me Program.
A “Read to Me” morning at the Adult Day Center
This program was made possible by a generous grant from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation. Although our organization has been uniting the wisdom and experience of our older adults with the energy and enthusiasm of our children for many years through the Martin F. Stein Intergenerational Fund, the money received from the Gene and Ruth Posner Foundation allows our communities to take intergenerational programming to the next level. If you are interested in Intergenerational Programming at any of our communities, contact Julie Shlensky at 414.721.9253 or jshlensky@jewishseniorliving.org. n
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Thank You continued from page 2
them,” explained Sarah Cohen who has been working as a social worker at the JHCC for almost four years. Diana Azimov agrees with Sarah and said, “The residents at the Jewish Home are truly special, and I’m honored to be here with them every day. We are their family.” The social workers at the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community provide services that keep our seniors social, active, independent and connected to the community. “We help keep our residents safe, make them feel comfortable. I love the stories the residents share with me. Working here is such an incredible, fun, and rewarding experience,” said Chai Point social worker, Carolyn Schuman. When residents come to any of the three communities, they are met with a warm and welcoming family. Social workers create a caring community and help us to live out our mission each day. Help continue our legacy: https://www.jewishseniorlivingdonations.org/ n
Upcoming Events How to Avoid Senior Scams with Detective Andy Fischer, Mequon PD Wednesday, March 16, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square Kinder Klatch Friday, March 18, 1:30 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square Leendert “Wim” Leydes, Author & Speaker My Jewish Journey - A Gentile’s Journey Through Jewish History Monday, March 21, 2:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square Bible Women with Rabbi Steven Adams Topic: Deborah the Judge Monday, March 21, 3:00 pm Sarah Chudnow Community, Posner Town Square Jewish History Journey with Rabbi Steven Adams Enlightenment: Reforms in Western Europe Monday, March 21, 2:45 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion
Did you know the Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation has more than 40 Donor Designated Funds? Monies from these funds provide for specific needs within our communities. For a full listing and description visit http://goo.gl/QXZr54. Thank you for your continued support!
“Designs of Our Lives” Series Photographer Eric Oxendorf Thursday, March 31, 1:30 pm Chai Point Senior Living, Rubenstein Pavilion
Visit www.jewishseniorliving.org for updated activities.
The Jewish Home and Care Center Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides financial support to the programs and services of the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point Senior Living and Sarah Chudnow Community. March 2016 | JSL News | 5
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1414 North Prospect Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53202-3089 Phone: 414-276-2627