S OA R I N G
A P u b l i c a t i o n f ro m M e n n o n i te H o m e Co m m u n i t i e s | Fa l l 20 2 3 Ed i t i o n
‘Jumping In’ And Enriching Lives In More Ways Than One Sharing in life’s experiences is what creates community among staff and residents. What better way to come together than for a cause or for one another?
residents and staff, everyone wanted to hold Jackson the joey.
Picture above, Resident Life Manager, Marcia Lynch and Woodcrest Villa resident, Andy Through the years, staff have Carroll, participate in unique worked with residents to educational experiences such create a community filled with as this that bring everyone meaningful involvement. From together. educational, to entertainment, indulging in hobbies, wellness “It’s important to organize new programs and volunteer and engaging activities that all opportunities, residents live life residents can enjoy between to the fullest. campuses,” says Marcia Lynch. “Educational and fun events One recent event that are what keep our community residents at Woodcrest Villa thriving and exciting.” experienced was a visit from a nine-month-old kangaroo Engaging events such as that traveled all the way from kangaroo visits are shared Aldinger Farms in the Halifax, across Mennonite Home PA, area. Communities’ (MHC) campuses. 2 An instant hit among NEWS MAGAZINE
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Staff members invest hours of work to create engaging experiences for residents. Fortunately, they don’t have to accomplish this work alone. Many volunteers serve both at MHC and in the broader community. The partnership between staff and residents makes it possible to provide outreach services. Two excellent examples are at the Mennonite Central Committee Material Resource Center (MCC) and donations to Lancaster’s Food Hub. Knowing how much residents love to give back to their community, routine trips are taken to the MCC every two to three months. Residents do many different jobs –– taking apart books
for recycling, cutting t-shirts into rags, sewing pouches for Dignity Kits for young girls, knotting comforters, filling school and relief kits, and compressing clothes for shipping. “The residents enjoy working together to help others. It gives them a sense of accomplishment to know that the work they completed in a short time will be valued and treasured by people in need,” says Woodcrest Villa Chaplain, Donna Becker. “As Chaplain, I love to see the enthusiasm and joy on the residents’ faces because they know they are helping others. And they are always quick to ask, ‘when can we go again’?”
Residents at Woodcrest regularly donate food to Lancaster Food Hub, located in downtown Lancaster. This past donation brought in over 1,800 pounds of various food items, which will go to families in the immediate area. In early September, the Dining Services Team at Mennonite Home (MH) organized a staff food drive for Lancaster Food Hub and donated over 150 items. Internally, staff and volunteers give their time and talents to working in The Marketplace, welcoming guests as greeters, transporting residents to salon appointments, helping with activities, taking the time
In fiscal year 2023, there were 242 volunteers who provided 16,951 volunteer hours. Giving back to the community in which they live.
for one-on-one visits with residents at MH, delivering packages and so much more. “Volunteers help our organization in so many ways,” says Marcia Hirneisen, Volunteer Coordinator. “They lighten the load for staff and bring joy and compassion to residents. Volunteers feel a sense of purpose, increased self-confidence, and increased happiness. One of my favorite quotes about volunteering is from James Matthew Barrie, Scottish novelist and playwright: ‘Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves’.”
Residents spending time doing various volunteer tasks at MCC.
Residents pictured with volunteers from Lancaster Food Hub after donating over 1,800 pounds of food.
Fun Fact:
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ARBORETUM CELEBRATION In 2019 the resident Arboretum Committee at Woodcrest Villa (WCV) embarked on a journey to grow the natural habitat that surrounds the campus by adding an arboretum. Over the last four years, committee members have dedicated countless hours to building and maintaining this tranquil addition to the landscape. In August 2022, WCV became a Level 1 Accredited Arboretum site by ArbNet, The Interactive Community of Arboreta. ArbNet is a global network that focuses on recognizing, collaborating, and conserving tree-focused public gardens. The Level 1 accredidation requirements include a minimum of 25 species of woody plants (WCV has 44 species), one or more volunteers, a governing body or committee, an arboretum plan, and a public dimension. “We are very fortunate to have such a beautifully landscaped campus to live on. We need to commend WCV for our beautiful campus and for keeping part of the campus natural and providing space for the Nature Trail and Arboretum. Now that the campus is an accredited arboretum, WCV receives well-deserved recognition.” states resident and Arboretum Committee member, Steve Henning. As WCV celebrates the one-year anniversary of this accreditation, residents are incredibly grateful for the hard work the committee has devoted to the arboretum.
Did you know Lancaster County, PA has approximately 78 native tree species.
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According to Dan Mortensen, Vice President of Operations, the accreditation of the arboretum is a welldeserved tribute. “The arboretum is a fantastic addition to Woodcrest Villa and perfectly complements its many beautiful wooded acres. Accreditation of the arboretum by ArbNet recognizes its beauty, as well as the hard work and dedication of the many resident volunteers, whose efforts have made the arboretum such a special place. Many thanks to these volunteers and the donors who haveNEWS made the arboretum possible.” MAGAZINE 4
Like Mother, Like Daughter
The old saying “like mother like daughter” rings true for mom and daughter duo Felicia Pagan and Aneysiah Santiago. Both joined the nursing team at Mennonite Home Communities (MHC) but experienced onboarding in very different ways. Felicia, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), began her career journey at Mennonite Home through a staffing agency. She helped during the COVID-19 pandemic and through some of toughest staffing challenges, while building relationships with residents and team members.
at Lancaster. Aneysiah was working for a large retail corporation at the time, but was looking for a rewarding career that would help others. The Nursing Department is pleased to have Felicia and Aneysiah on the same team and working in the same role.
Working within the same organization, and sometimes on the same shift, the two are able to support and uplift one another when needed. Being able to take a break or lunch together is another perk for the mother and daughter duo.
Residents at Mennonite Home Felicia shares, “I have always have had the opportunity to wanted to work for Mennonite watch Aneysiah grow and Home. I appreciated what I saw flourish in the program as she from the leadership and the became certified! They often nurses I have worked with.” share with Felicia that they are proud of Aneysiah. While debating on making the transition from staffing As the pair continue their agency to a Mennonite Home careers with Mennonite Home, employee, Felicia focused they are reassured that they on security, job stability and will have support from each work-life balance. She was other as well as the community looking for an environment they serve. that she could call her ‘forever home,’ a place where she could continue to grow and have a future. Felicia’s daughter, Aneysiah, experienced a different onboarding process. She was selected to join the tuition-free Certified Nursing Assistant training program through the partnership with MHC and Eastern Mennonite University
Aneysiah and her mom, Felicia, walk side-by-side with resident Ruth Stehman.
Taking a quick break together, the mother daughter duo, Felicia (left) and Aneysiah (right).
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Residents Receive ‘Best In Class’ Service In July 2023, Woodcrest Villa was awarded Best In Class in 11 out of 14 categories from a national survey through Pinnacle Quality Insight. Pinnacle Quality Insight provides feedback to organizations regarding customer satisfaction and service ratings. According to it’s website, Pinnacle conducts surveys via phone interviews for 2,700 care providers, resulting in 150,000 individual customer interviews. These 11 categories include: overall satisfaction, variety of food/menu choices, quality of food, dining services, dignity and respect, communication, activities, move-in process, safety and security, recommend to others, and combined average.
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The mission of Mennonite Home Communities, which is to enrich the lives of residents, staff and community, aligns with Pinnacle Quality Insight’s statement, People are our purpose. As a trusted resource to gauge MHC’s resident satisfaction, Dining service team members fire up the grill for it aides in popular grill-out days on The Plaza at Woodcrest Villa. pinpointing where the customer satisfaction scores organziation excels and where we receive month after month improvements can be made. from residents is due to the
“Our partnership with Pinnacle Quality Insight provides us with actionable data to ensure the high quality of The favorability rating, which service Woodcrest Villa is is based on the percentage known for,” says John Sauder, of respondents willing to President of Mennonite Home recommend WCV to others during the past 12 months, was Communities, the parent organization of Woodcrest 97 percent. Villa. “The consistently 6high NEWS MAGAZINE
outstanding staff members who serve residents with joy, enthusiasm, and commitment. We have a great team!” One area that received high marks was the Dining Services team. Offering many different dishes in four dining venues, catering services and special events on a campus of 700+
neighbors,” states Jennifer Bicher, Director of Resident Life. The Dining Services Department and Resident Life Department are part of an entire team that are dedicated to living out the mission of the community on a daily basis and providing Best In Class care.
Pictured above from left to right are: Jennifer Bicher, Director of Residential Living, Abby Zarfoss, Development Assistant and Schron Tyler, Design & Move-in Coordinator.
residents and staff, this type of high praise means a great deal to the dining team. “The survey results really energize our team as they continue to strive to meet and exceed the resident family’s expectations,” states Shaun Metzler, Director of Dining Services.
quality of life at Woodcrest Villa. It is encouraging for the staff to see that residents agree.
“Resident participation and engagement in daily activities and programs is so important to each person’s overall well-being. It significantly contributes to our thriving and vibrant community Focusing on a resident’s where residents find purpose, wellbeing and supporting their meaning and deeper interests are vital to the overall connections with friends and
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High quality services and care doesn’t just stop at Woodcrest Villa. Mennonite Home Communities’ care campus is consistently in pursuit of excellence. Continuing the promise of their mission and enhacing the lives of others, Mennonite Home Communities is participating in this year’s Extra Give. On November 17, 2023, this one day event aims to help local non-profits in Lancaster County raise funds for their organizations. For more information go to www.extragive.org.
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Mennonite Home Communities 1520 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 www.mennonitehome.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
“Soaring” is published three times a year by Mennonite Home Communities, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601. Mennonite Home Communities is a Pennsylvania non-profit organziation. A copy of the official registration and financial information of Mennonite Home Communities may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Please note: A donation or contribution to Mennonite Home Communities is purely voluntary. A contribution is in no way a requirement for the institution or continuation of any business relationship with Mennonite Home Communities. Also, a contribution is in no way a requirement for admission or continued stay at the facility. Residents of Mennonite Home Communities will receive the same standard of quality care, the provision of which is not conditioned on any contributions.
SOARING Featured on the cover: Woodcrest Villa resident, Carol Carey, cuddles with Jackson the Joey from Aldinger Farms. Jackson’s visit provided education about kangaroos and Aldinger Farms. The Joey gave snuggles to everyone who wanted to get a closer look at this Australian native. Soaring Committee Members: Elizabeth Harvey, Marcia Herneisen, Justin Lewis, Daniel Mortensen, Kim Peters, Jess Sibbett and Abby Zarfoss
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If you would like to receive information about Residental Living at Woodcrest Villa, call Amy at 717-390-4103. If you would like to receive information about Personal Care or Health Care at Mennonite Home, call 717-390-7979. If you wish to have your name removed from our mailing list, call Amy at 717-390-4103.