Connie Frater, manager of Shawnee Springs in Bellefontaine, Ohio, died Friday, Jan. 11, 2019, following a prolonged hospital stay. She had been the manager of Shawnee Springs since it opened in 1995 and helped train many managers over the years. Connie was always willing to help wherever she was needed.…
Read MoreThrough the hot summer months, Chapel Hill Community residents dreamed of frozen custard, but the community didn’t have a custard machine. Members of the Chapel Hill Residents Council decided this was an excellent project to tackle. Their plan was to raise the money for the custard machine and also encourage…
Read MoreNestled in a quiet, picturesque setting in Sandusky, Ohio, Parkvue Community has beautiful flowers, landscaping and water features for residents to enjoy. One of the highlights for all has been the walking path. However, years of weather and wear have made it difficult to use, with deep cracks across its…
Read MoreUnited Church Homes’ Pilgrim Manor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has experienced a lot of growth in the past few years. In 2016, Pilgrim Manor joined UCH. Soon after, it received a $3 million facelift, completed in 2018, and a new executive director, Becky Stacy, this past fall. Throughout all…
Read MoreOur residents are so engaged, we couldn’t write features on every story. Here are some highlights of other engagement activities by residents and staff of UCH communities from our Community Benefits Program. Cherry Arbors Dwight, a resident of Cherry Arbors, retired when he moved in. To fight boredom, Dwight began…
Read MoreThe Campaign for Abundant Life is increasing in momentum as more individuals, churches and community partners respond with support. 2019 marks year three of the five-year comprehensive campaign. The goal is to raise funds for charitable care, pastoral care, the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging, updated campuses for…
Read MoreThe Glenwood Community Resident Association, made up of independent living residents, has planted the seed for a new endowment fund. Earnings from the endowment fund will help underwrite the costs needed to sustain the operations of Glenwood Community. This fundraising idea came about partly because of the advocacy of residents…
Read MoreTrevor Bates, a member of the United Church Homes Board of Directors, led a session on emotionally intelligent leadership at the 2018 UCH Leadership, Education, Achievement, Development, Success (LEADS) class. Born and raised on the west side of Chicago, Trevor has a long history in academia and shared his expertise…
Read MoreThis blog is the third in a series of reflections from the third annual Symposium with Dr. Ira Byock on Oct. 12, 2018, Abundant Aging Through the End of Life. It was written by Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging intern Emily Howard. To subscribe to the weekly blog,…
Read MoreThe purpose of the Fairhaven Community Friendship Ambassador Program is to provide companionship, comfort, hospitality, service and abundant life to friends and neighbors who have chosen Fairhaven as their home on life’s journey. Ambassadors spend one hour or more with a new resident during their initial visit; commit to checking…
Read MoreShirley and James Balk have given so much to the people of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Through the James and Shirley Balk Foundation, they’ve funded education initiatives, healthcare organizations and local arts. They’ve supported the nonprofit healthcare system Spectrum Health. Their foundation has beautified tourist attraction Frederik Meijer Gardens and…
Read MoreDelores is a resident of United Church Homes’ Chapel Hill Community in Canal Fulton, Ohio. Her connections to the community go back to her early adulthood in 1963, when her family helped prepare the earth for what would become Chapel Hill. Delores’ father, Leonard Hegnauer, a minister, helped lay…
Read MoreAs an estate planning attorney, one of my most frequently asked questions is, “how often should I review my estate planning documents (e.g., will or trust)? A plan is outdated if it no longer reflects your values and objectives. Life’s internal and external factors can alter your situation or goals,…
Read MoreUnited Church Homes and Ohio’s Hospice are teaming up to form a new nonprofit joint venture Medicare-certified hospice program. United Church Homes residents needing hospice and palliative care soon can receive services provided by Ohio’s Hospice at United Church Homes while remaining in the comfort of their community. The new…
Read MoreUplands Village has a long tradition of health and environmental activism, starting with founder Dr. May Cravath Wharton. Many Uplanders are change agents in the larger Cumberland County community, and some of this volunteer work is guided by the Uplands Board of Directors’ Environmental Quality Committee, nicknamed the Green…
Read MoreLate fall of 2018 proved a time to lift up those who embody the spirit of United Church Homes, as eight individuals accepted awards for their exemplary service to UCH. “We have a passion for developing and supporting leadership here,” President and CEO Rev. Kenneth Daniel said. “We’ve been blessed…
Read MoreMei Lin has crocheted hundreds of hats and scarves for various organizations and individuals, children’s hospitals, veterans’ groups, hospices, homeless shelters and cancer centers. Mei Lin is a 75-year-old resident of Barrington Square in Acworth, Georgia. In 1961, she emigrated from Taiwan to New York, where her husband owned…
Read MoreNever underestimate the impact a small act of kindness has on the world. Meet Millie Schilman, whose kindness extends to each and every resident of Parkvue Community in Sandusky, Ohio. For the past couple of years, Millie has dedicated most of her free time to one simple act of kindness…
Read MoreResidents of United Church Homes’ Glenwood Community in Marietta, Ohio, are an active bunch. The community has a high percentage of residents who are engaged with the local community, from volunteering at the hospital to participating in intergenerational programming at a school. Glenwood Community has earned a 2018 Community Choice…
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