2007 Spring Vintage.pmd - Retirement Housing Foundation

From the President
The RHF Mission: It’s All About People
In February RHF celebrated our 46 th Anniversary and Annual Meeting.
Our theme is “It’s All About People.” This is a theme for every year
because while we can’t perform the mission without money and
buildings, the purpose of the mission is people. If we were not serving
people, there would be so reason for our existence.
In the past year we have celebrated RHF’s 45 th Anniversary in more
than 120 locations, and we are continuing the remaining celebrations
this year. In every community I have heard stories and expressions of
gratitude about the difference our mission makes in the lives of people.
And elected officials in many locations have asked us to build and
preserve more housing.
A few years ago I started using the term “age tsunami” instead of age
wave, because the doubling of our over 65 population by 2030 is much
more than a wave. When I met with representatives and Senators in
The Vintage is published periodically for residents, families of residents, the United Churches
of Christ and sponsoring congregations, staff, local board members, and friends of
Retirement Housing Foundation, 911 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815-4900,
Telephone (562) 257-5100/FAX (562) 257-5200, TDD (800) 545-1833, ext. 359. www.rhf.org - e-mail:
info@rhf.org.
Retirement Housing Foundation is a nonprofit California corporation dedicated to planning, sponsoring, building and managing
housing for older adults, economically disadvantaged families, and persons with disabilities. It is a member of the Council for
Health and Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and also co-sponsors housing projects with other
denominational, civic and community organizations. RHF is a member of the American Association of Homes and Services for the
Aging and its state affiliates. RHF serves and employs without regard to race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, ancestry,
marital status, physical disability, age, medical condition (including pregnancy), or familial status.
President and Chief Executive Officer: Rev. Laverne R. Joseph, D.D.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson: Donald W. King Vice Chairperson: Christina E. Potter Treasurer: Thomas S. Masuda
Directors: Jean G. Dremstedt, Raymond E. East, Rev. Dr. Teruo Kawata, Nancy D. McPeak, Dr. Darryl M. Sexton, Stewart M.
Simington , and Rev. Dr. John E. Trnka.
RHF Foundation, Inc. provides financial resources through gifts and managed funds that assist the mission of Retirement
Housing Foundation.
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Rev. Laverne R. Joseph, D.D.
President & CEO
Washington, DC in March, I was pleased to hear that they had picked up the same terminology. We are
simply not prepared as a nation to address this need and we are slipping further behind each year. But it
must be addressed because the quality of life as well as the survival of people is as stake. We have a similar
shortage of affordable family housing.
Recognizing the challenge is a start. The next challenge is to turn words into actions.
It takes people to serve the needs of people and I’m grateful to our 2600 team members who serve our
16,000+ residents nationwide. I hope you realize how much you are appreciated by all of us and have a
sense of the difference you are making in the lives of other people.
This issue of the Vintage also features our volunteers. You make a big difference not only in the lives of
residents and staff but also in the larger community.
And of course our donors are also appreciated for your contributions which help to underwrite the mission.
Over the years one of my favorite songs has been “People Who Need People…are the luckiest people in the
world.” I liked the tune so much that it wasn’t until recently I thought more deeply about the words. In
reality everyone needs people. The luckiest people in the world are those who have the people they need
when they need them.
You and I are among those people. We give and we serve, and in so doing we receive and we enable other
people to be fortunate because they have the people they need when they need them.
Thank you for what you do. May we never grow weary in our mission of service.