Spring 2011 - Retirement Housing Foundation

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50th Anniversary CelebrationRHF Celebrates 50 Years (cont.)Manager of the YearIn 2003, the Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana, transferred IndependenceSquare, a 123-apartment HUD 202 community, to Retirement Housing Foundation.We are grateful that they elected to give this community to RHF, at the suggestionof Jean Dremstedt, so that it would remain in the United Church of Christ family.Pam Jennings became the manager of Independence Square in 2005.Regional Manager Lavonne Mickelson writes that Pam experienced manyobstacles upon beginning her employment with us because of the issues leftby the previous managing agent. Independence Square had very little incomeor available funds, 11 vacant units, and disgruntled staff and residents. Pamworked diligently to remedy the many issues and persisted to bring theproperty to 100% occupancy in just a few months. In fact, she had residentswho moved to Independence Square just because they heard that she wasthere. Her efforts have been recognized by HUD with the receipt of hersecond Superior Management Occupancy Review rating in consecutiveyears.This past summer, we received the resident survey results for IndependenceSquare showing a 93% satisfaction rating. Also included were commentsfrom residents like, “A great place to live!” “Excellent Staff” “Everyonehere has been wonderful, we are treated very nicely.” “I love it here, it feelslike home.” “I feel safe here and I feel that God hand-picked my apartmentfor me.” “This is the best place anyone could live.”Pam is one of the leading managers in the Midwest region, and is verywilling and eager to help train new managers and offer assistance to otherswhen needed. She regularly plans dinners and other functions, and mostrecently organized an ice cream social and gospel concert. She’s always lookingfor ways to bring her residents together. Pam and her assistant, Susan, beganhosting breakfast at the property on Saturday once a month. This has been verywelcomed by the residents, and they say that Pam makes the best pancakesthey’ve ever had!RHF is pleased to recognize Pam Jennings as 2011 Manager of the Year.Rex Chapman Award Winner“I believe that the most important thing I have done during the time I have beenon the Board of RHF was the recruiting and employment of the Rev. Dr. LaverneJoseph for the position of President and CEO.” (Rex Chapman - 1997)Dr. Laverne Joseph was named the recipient of the 2011 Rex Chapman Award, byRetirement Housing Foundation’s (RHF) National Board of Directors, at RHF’s50th Anniversary Dinner on February 18th.The award acknowledges Dr. Joseph’s 25 years of service on the National Boardand President & CEO of RHF. During his tenure, RHF has tripled in size to 163communities in 25 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. VirginIslands.He is a recognized leader in the affordable housing field whose expertise is calledupon at the state and national level. His testimony in Congress has hadPictured above: 1) Independence SquareManager, Pam Jennings. 2) Independencean impact on policy affecting affordable housing issues nationally.Square is located in Evansville, Indiana. 3) He serves, and has served, in various capacities with organizationsPam, flipping pancakes at Saturday morning such as LeadingAge (formerly known as the American Association ofbreakfast with the residents. 4) Dr. Joseph Homes and Services for the Aging), Aging Services of California, andrecieving the Rex Chapman award from the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM) ofChapman’s grandchildren, Catherine andJohn Collinson.the United Church of Christ.(Continued on page 5)-4-
RHF Celebrates 50 Years (cont.)This award is named in honor of Rex Chapman who was active for 30 yearswith RHF, both in Cathedral Pioneer Church Homes in Sacramento and, later,serving on the National Board of RHF. While on the Board, he workedtirelessly on behalf of seniors, low income families and persons withdisabilities from 1977 to 1998 (holding the position of Board Chair from 1984to 1989). In 1999, he received the honor of Director Emeritus.The RHF Board created the Rex Chapman Award after Rex’s death in 2002.While not given annually, this prestigious award is given to an individual ororganization that has consistently shown a commitment to championing thecause of affordable housing.Week Long EventThe Awards Dinner is only part of RHF’s Annual Meeting. Managersand administrators attend week-long instruction to update themon varioius topics that pertain to their responsibilities in thecommunities, national headquarters’ staff is included in any state/federal mandated training, and National Board members attendstrategic planning sessions and handle regular Board business.This year UCC Conference Ministers from across the country alsoparticipated in activities, including the annual worship service thatincluded the Rev. James Forbes, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of RiversideChurch, New York City.Thank you, U. S. Bank50th Anniversary CelebrationAs a nonprofit organization RHF considers advocacy an important responsibility.Whether it is at a state or national level, advocating for programs and servicesthat help our residents maintain their independence or help our organization inits efforts to provide quality housing to older adults, low-income families andpersons with disabilities, RHF is very serious about its role as an advocate. Wemeet with elected officials throughout the country and invite them into ourcommunities to see, first hand, how their funding is improving lives. We tellthem our story and the stories of our residents.As a part of RHF’s 50th Anniversary, residents were asked to tell how livingin an RHF community has impacted their lives. More than 800 residentsresponded and many of those stories have been published in a booklet -In Their Own Words.RHF would like to thank U.S. Bank for its generous grant of $50,000 which, inpart, underwrote the cost of In Their Own Words. Thank you for giving our residents a voiceand also allowing volunteers and staff to talk about why they feel RHF’s Mission is important to them.In the Epilogue for the booklet, U. S. Bank wrote:Successful, prosperous nations are comprised of caring individuals and businesses that work together to ensure thatbasic human needs are met for all of its citizens. Access to safe, comfortable housing is chief among those needs, as theindividuals profiled in this anniversary book will tell you so clearly in their own words. U.S. Bank is pleased to partnerwith the Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) to present their stories so eloquently. RHF knows the importance ofaffordable housing for seniors, low income families, and persons with disabilities, and we commend them for their 50years of dedication to this cause.If you would like a free copy of this publication, please e-mail chris.ragon@rhf.org or call her at 562-257-5100.-5-
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Page 9 and 10: Community NewsA Perfect GameDeSmet
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Page 25 and 26: Carmen ParenzuelaCarol ParishHelen
Page 27 and 28: Why Consider aGift Annuity?Our Gift

Spring 2011 - Retirement Housing Foundation

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