Barb Powell
An old saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” For UCC-related EdenHill Communities, a life plan community in New Braunfels, Texas, the adage has particular meaning, thanks to a new twist on an old idea. Earlier this year, EdenHill’s second annual “A Night in New Old Braunfels” — a fundraiser that benefits the CHHSM…
Read MoreThanks to pressure from health and human service nonprofit organizations, including CHHSM, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Sept. 14 that it will not move forward with the proposed Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation (MFAR). If finalized, MFAR would have jeopardized key nursing home financing policies, including life plan community provider tax exemptions and…
Read MoreIn the quest to provide medical and community health services in their local areas, many CHHSM members are on the front lines of helping people shut out of normal avenues to health care access. One example is Chicago, where UCC-related Advocate Aurora Health partners with other area faith-based organizations in the Avondale Faith and Health…
Read MoreResidents of Phoebe Allentown Health Care Center — one of the Phoebe’s older adult communities in Pennsylvania — now can share safe hugs with loved ones during in-person visits, thanks to a creative idea developed by Kelly Bock, Phoebe Allentown’s director of environmental services. After several months of quarantine to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,…
Read MoreThe staff of United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM) in Wyoming, Mich., recently received a special honor. Heart of West Michigan United Way surprised the UCC-related organization with a United Way Partner of the Year Award. While UCOM receives funding from United Way — it had already received $60,000 for each of three years, 2020-2023 —…
Read MoreThe residents of Arcadia — a UCC-related life plan community in Honolulu — take their volunteering seriously. This past spring, for example, they participated in the Punahou Capstone Project with the local Punahou School. Organized by resident Ellen Chapman, the multi-week project helped the high school seniors find connecting threads with the older adults. The…
Read MoreThe nurses of Deaconess Nurse Ministry in St. Louis assist clients in venues as varied as free clinics, food pantries, local churches and more. In recent years, one way they’ve been able to provide care is through financial support from the St. Louis City Senior Fund. “We have received funding for the last three years…
Read MoreThe Orion Family Services Board of Directors has created the “Orion Family Services Emergency Assistance Fund.” This fund will provide grant money to Orion consumers and families experiencing financial emergencies or other barriers. Grants for up to $500 will be provided for things such as unexpected car repairs, clothing for job interviews, assistance with security…
Read MoreOne historic outreach within the UCC’s Council for Health and Human Service Ministries is providing services to and advocating with and for persons with disabilities. And, as the August installment of the Be A Voice Health and Human Services Advocacy Toolkit — produced by CHHSM and the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries office in Washington,…
Read MoreFor a dozen or so youth at Bethany Children’s Home in Womelsdorf, Pa., July 15 was extra special. The youth were treated to a special pottery-making day, thanks to Linda Aragon, Bethany’s art instructor, who hosted visiting artist Hadley Wiktor. Wiktor, who specializes in ceramics and fiber arts, led three groups of youth in pottery…
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What’s the Buzz? Beekeeping Returns to Plymouth Place - CHHSM
There’s a buzz around Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, Ill., and it’s not just conversations among residents and staff. Some 40,000 bees have taken up residence in two beehives on the campus, and...