Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor
August 2018
Employee’s career spans two decades of PMMA changes When Julie McCoy joined the Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor community in 1998, she was filling in for members of the Julie McCoy dining services staff who were out on vacation. While she would eventually go on to become a full-time member of the dining staff, fate would one day intervene and put her on a new career path. “Out of the blue, the lady who ran the dining department said she needed an assistant and asked me if I wanted to go to school to get my certification, and I just said, ‘OK,’” said Julie. “I think they liked me because I came in and did my job, and made sure the residents had whatever they needed. Plus, I was very soft-spoken and didn’t complain a lot, which they thought were good traits in a supervisor.” With PMMA covering the cost of tuition, Julie went back to school— receiving her certification in 2001, CHANGES, continued on page 2
After the completion of renovations for Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor’s 20th anniversary, residents and campus leaders conducted a ribbon-cutting. Former Executive Director Lynne Lawrence cuts the ribbon, surrounded by residents and advisory committee members.
Growing to meet community needs Since the ground-breaking ceremony in 1976, Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor has experienced tremendous support from the Arkansas City community, as well as the greater Cowley County community. The building of the retirement complex, including the health care center, filled a void within the community. During the first eight years after the original opening, the leadership team at the local level, and at the parent company, Presbyterian Manors Inc., were very in-tune to the desires of residents and local community members. An expansion campaign was started in 1984 to raise additional capital funding. That expansion campaign included several areas: the west wing of health care and some additional improvements to the existing apartment complex, such as a renovation on the third floor for an additional dining room. However, the purchase of the land for the duplex construction was a focus for the capital campaign committee. GROW, continued on page 3
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and served as the assistant director for a number of years before being promoted to director. In the years that have passed, Julie has been at the forefront of numerous changes in the department, most notably the dramatic increase in the number of food choices available to residents. The menu evolved from a “special of the day” and one alternate item to the full menu residents enjoy today. “We’ve just tried to provide
more choices to make it feel more like home,” said Julie. “To be honest, it makes my job a lot easier. The variety seems to make everybody a lot happier.” And making others happy is what makes Julie happy. “I really enjoy our residents. They make my day, every single day,” said Julie. “I enjoy my wonderful staff, and making everybody happy. I’m a peoplepleaser.”
the team atmosphere that makes PMMA such a great place to work. “Everybody works really well together, and that makes my job easier,” said Julie. “It makes me want to get up and come to work every day.”
Away from Presbyterian Manor, Julie is the mother of two grown boys and enjoys spending what little free time she has with Adding to Julie’s happiness is the her nine-year-old grandson, Cameron, and watching her people she gets to work with, whom she credits with creating beloved Dallas Cowboys on TV.
Encouraging words for this century, or another Community Matters
is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org. Sarah Griggs, executive director Sean Page, marketing director Lori Peters, activities director
To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact spage@pmma.org. Telephone: 620-442-8700 Fax: 620-442-8224 Address: 1711 N. Fourth, Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607
Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
ArkansasCityPresbyterianManor.org
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Have you ever noticed how our terminologies sometimes fit our expectations, yet at other times, fail us for numerous reasons? For instance we may say “in Jesus’ Day” referring back centuries when we speak of events in the New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. However, from our Christian perspective, Jesus Christ is much more than a savior “once upon a time.” Actually, for millions of people, Jesus is a friend and spiritual guide for all of life experiences, now and forever. As we read the Gospels of our New Testament, we learn from Jesus about ourselves and all other children of God. Then this opens untold discoveries and experiences by which we begin
Community Matters August 2018
to recognize we are continually becoming healthier, happier and more human persons. By “God’s good graces” we rejoice and give thanks that we are continually becoming less selfcentered, self-defeating, and even self-denying, of our capability of brightening the world all around us! —William Bowles Like us on Facebook
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Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor leaders believed that the building of duplex units was the answer for retired couples who wanted independent living units separate and apart from the apartments situated in the high-rise and larger living spaces. Even though there were other apartment units in Arkansas City marketing to seniors, Presbyterian Manor’s leaders believed that we were unique in appealing to seniors because of the continuum of care and sense of security. One of the benefits for residents of Presbyterian Manor is that no matter what level they currently reside in, they receive first preference in placement to another level of care when needed. Many residents have taken advantage of this benefit over the years and have been grateful in knowing they have always had a place to go when more care was needed.
The Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor purchased the southern portion of the current property in 1985 for $65,000. Construction for the first duplex was completed in 1986. The first occupants participated in the estate The duplex was an important part of the campus’ in the mid-1980s. The residences are preservation plan to help expansion popular additions to the campus. build the two units and from 1996 to 2005. Under her the couples moved in right leadership, and with the assistance away. of Margaret Wahlborg, marketing The land purchased in 1984 had director, Presbyterian Manor room for more duplexes. However, received its first face-lift in time for interest in the project waivered and its 20th anniversary celebration. did not move forward. Presbyterian GROW, continued on page 4 Manor also was experiencing a downturn in interest in apartments. With so many vacant apartments, Celebrating it was not feasible to increase residence inventory with additional August birthdays duplex units.
At that time, the focus was redirected to apartment living. In the original apartment In the original layout of the campus construction, floor plans included studio, one-bedroom and twoshared with the public in 1974, bedroom apartment options in several duplexes and six-plexes the 93 units. To further meet were included on the north end the needs and demands of the of the property. However, in the market, Presbyterian Manor began early years, the leadership team determined there were construction renovating a couple of apartments to create an additional apartment challenges associated with the option to include the one-bedroom floodplain and building on the large floor plan, which entailed north end of the property. So, they removing the wall between the changed direction and set their bedrooms in the two-bedroom sights on some additional acreage apartment. This slight change met owned by Laurence and Ruby Chaplin, which was situated directly some of the needs. However, census continued to struggle. south of the parking lot of the apartment complex. The building was aging, and the original apartment designs were not The 1984 capital campaign was as appealing to new retirees. Lynne very successful and so were land purchasing negotiations. Lawrence was the executive director Like us on Facebook
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Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor 1711 N. Fourth Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 Return Service Requested
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The décor and furnishing in each of the common spaces throughout the campus were updated, creating a sense of newness and appeal for potential residents. Additional apartment options also were created—the one-bedroom suite, which combined a studio and one-bedroom apartment, and the two-bedroom deluxe, which combined two one-bedroom apartments. Over the years, between combining apartments to create larger living options and designating apartments for
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Community Matters August 2018
either office or storage space, the total number of apartments in independent and assisted living was reduced to 70. The additional apartment options were popular immediately and have remained occupied with an overall average for the past 10 to 15 years well above 95 percent occupied in independent living. As for the two duplex units, the occupancy has been 100 percent since the original opening in 1986. Throughout the years, many have asked whether additional duplexes would be built, and that it is not out of the question.
“We have been blessed by the continued support of the community throughout the years,” said Sarah Griggs, executive director. “The leadership team, both locally and at the corporate level, understand that we have to adapt to the changing desires of the new generations we are serving. We continue to grow and expand our services and programs each year to meet the new demands.” Griggs said the expansion of additional duplexes has been a possibility for the past several years and Presbyterian Manor is open to opportunities for partnerships. Like us on Facebook