Latest Spirit Articles



UCH Mission Comes to Life for Central Office Staff

Staff members from United Church Homes’ central office in Marion, Ohio, were reenergized and inspired this spring through fall, when they experienced the organization’s mission firsthand with trips to seven affordable housing and senior living communities in Ohio. The idea for the mission projects originated with the central office supervisor’s…


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ONE Conversation, ONE Message, ONE Life

Getting homeless older adults off the streets or out of the woods is a resounding theme when you talk with Rev. Dr. David Schwab. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for 50 years and long-time advocate for supporting United Church Homes’ affordable housing services, Rev. Dr. David…


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Trinity Communities Welcome New Medical Director

Amid the launch of Trinity Communities of Greater Dayton, two United Church Homes locations that offer long-term and skilled nursing care welcomed a new medical director, Dr. Latha Venkatesh. Dr. Venkatesh has joined the teams at Trinity Community at Beavercreek and Trinity Community at Fairborn (formerly Patriot Ridge). Hailing from…


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Community Briefs: News and Notes from Our Neighbors

Three UCH Communities Earn Readers’ Choice Awards Three United Church Homes communities in Ohio have earned Readers’ Choice Awards from two newspapers. Harmar Place was voted Best Extended Care and Rehab Community in Marietta, and the Pines at Glenwood Community was voted Best Assisted Living in the Marietta Times’ Readers’…


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Many People Come Together to Support University Circle

Parkvue Community launched the world-class University Circle Interactive Cleveland learning program on its campus this year, thanks to the support of many individuals and a community foundation. Parkvue staff supported the program’s startup costs through last year’s Employee Giving Campaign, and lead donor Rev. Dan Busch’s passion for the program…


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Senior Learning Program Opens New Doors at Parkvue

Many people look forward to retirement filled with intellectual stimulation, exploration of new interests and engagement with their communities. Residents of Parkvue Community in Sandusky, Ohio, are experiencing a new interactive learning environment through Cleveland-based University Circle Inc.’s senior learning program. Senior Learning On the North Coast University Circle is…


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UCH Celebrates New Funding Source for Affordable Housing Capital Projects

United Church Homes is planning for capital improvements to several affordable housing communities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in September gave organizations instructions for accessing new resources for renovations to project rental assistance contract (PRAC) properties. The guidance expands Rental Assistance Demonstration to preserve PRACs, referred to…


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Three More UCH Communities Earn Bronze Quality Awards

Joining seven other United Church Homes-owned and managed senior living communities in their commitment to improve the quality of life and quality of care for older adults, three more UCH communities have been recognized by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living with quality awards. The…


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The Promise of Technology for Aging Abundantly

On Oct. 11, 2019, academics and healthcare professionals joined United Church Homes leadership, staff and friends to participate in the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging Fourth Annual Symposium: The Promise of Technology for Aging Abundantly. Set in the beautiful Renaissance Westerville-Polaris Hotel in central Ohio, the conference offered…


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Former Board Member Recognized with Legacy Leader Award

A former United Church Homes Board member received a standing ovation when he was recognized with the Rev. Dr. Diller Legacy Leadership Award for outstanding leadership at the Housing Services Donor Appreciation Dinner. Robert C. Kutschbach served on the Board of Directors during the 2007 recession and helped guide the…


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Tennessee Housing Manager’s Career Reaches New Heights

Rosie Hughey, a 25-year United Church Homes staff member, is having a sensational year. The manager of Glendale Commons and Fox Hollow Community in Covington, Tennessee, Rosie was named to the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce in June and won a regional association award in September. Rosie was sworn in…


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UCH Board Welcomes New Member

J.B. Boothe Joins UCH Board For J.B. Boothe, volunteering for the United Church Homes Board of Directors felt predestined. J.B.’s experience complements the 17-member UCH Board. Board member Karl Ulrich introduced J.B. to UCH after they met at Nexus United Church of Christ. “I have worked with older adults most…


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Youth Experiences Aging Services Through Volunteerism

Anisha Chopra walks into Parkvue Community in Sandusky, Ohio. She strolls confidently toward Frosty’s Life Enrichment Center. There, she waves at some of the residents, giving them a sweet smile. It’s another day of volunteering. Anisha is getting her first taste of the aging services profession through her volunteer work.…


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Another Year, Another Ring Around Our Tree

This time of year, we are reminded about the passing of time as the leaves change color around us. My favorite season, fall, is a good time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. At United Church Homes, our newest ring marks a tree that will be 104 years old in…


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Yellow Springs Man Joins Parker Center Staff for Encore Career

Del Mar Fellow Funded Through Dayton Foundation A Yellow Springs, Ohio, retiree has joined the staff of United Church Homes’ Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging, thanks to a grant from the Dayton Foundation, with plans to develop a video-based curriculum about ageism. It is the latest way the…


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Ageism: A Prejudice with Dire Consequences for Older Adults

If you’ve been following United Church Homes over the past few years, you’re probably familiar with the term ageism. But what exactly is ageism, and how does it impact the lives of the nation’s older adults? The following is a Q&A with Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, executive director of UCH’s Ruth…


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Volunteer Finds Family at Cherry Arbors

Rhonda Farley was tired to the bone. She had spent the past several years waking at 4 a.m. daily to help care for her aging mother. With the assistance of her grown son, Rhonda was providing around-the-clock care for her mother, Georgena, who was experiencing the early stages of Alzheimer’s…


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Sue Sheidler Reflects on 12 Years on UCH Board

Sue Sheidler has spent the past 11 years serving tirelessly on the United Church Homes Board of Directors. Throughout her tenure, Sue has served on every committee, including as chair of the nominating committee from 2009 – 2019. She was Board secretary from 2014 – 2018. Sue’s background in nursing…


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Stubbs Endowment Continues Legacy of Giving

The late Gertrude “Gertie” Stubbs made a long-lasting impact on United Church Homes’ Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. United Church Homes’ computer donor records go back to the early 1980s, showing Gertie began giving in 1983 and continued for a total of 22 years before her passing in May…


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