CARING Housing Ministries to Continue Community Benefit Project in Partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity

CHM raises $30,000 for non-profit during first year of volunteering and fundraising
CARING Housing Ministries President Nancy Spring recently announced that CHM staff will continue its volunteer work for one more year at the San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity Chestnut Street building site as part of CHM’s community benefit project for 2015-16.


Soraya Diaz, CARING Housing Ministries director of operations, far left, presents a check for more than $30,000 to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Sonja L. Yates, middle left, and Chelsea McHenry, volunteer and youth programs manager. The donation was a result of a fundraising effort and volunteer activities by CARING Housing Ministries staff in support of San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity’s Chestnut Street building project in Glendale. CHM used a $5,000 grant from CLH as seed money for this community benefit project.

“Our volunteer work was such a success in partnership with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity that we decided to continue so we can participate in the completion of the project,” Nancy said.

San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity is in the process of building three affordable homes at East Chestnut Street in Glendale for low-income, first-time homebuyers. The homes will be three stories and will each be about 1,300 square feet with three bedrooms and two and a half baths.

In March 2014, CARING Housing Ministries staff members plus others from CHM’s parent organization Front Porch, began volunteering either at the building site or at a Habitat for Humanity not-for-profit home improvement store and donation center, logging in more than 1400 corporate–sponsored and personal volunteer hours. Thanks to a grant from California Lutheran Homes and Community Services, CARING Housing Ministries made an initial cash contribution of $5,000 to the project and participated in fundraising efforts throughout the year on behalf of the project raising $30,000.

As part of the total donation, Front Porch contributed more than $10,800 in matching funds through its Social Accountability in Action program, which funds projects, programs and services designed to meet community needs.

In years past, CARING leaders have organized internal staff development programs with funding provided by philanthropic partner California Lutheran Homes and Community Services. Five years ago, the programs evolved externally into community outreach projects, while maintaining their team-building elements.

 CALIFORNIALUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities. CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances.

Grace Lutheran of Santa Barbara Leaves Legacy By Gifting Church Property to California Lutheran Homes and City Housing Authority

CLH to work with city to create much needed affordable housing for seniors

The recent closure of Grace Lutheran church in Santa Barbara signifies an ending in one sense, but it is also a sign of a fresh beginning. The gifting of the land to California Lutheran Homes and the city housing authority will allow Grace’s legacy of service to its community to continue by providing much needed housing to low-income seniors.

While the closing of Grace Lutheran Church creates a new legacy of shelter for vulnerable seniors through the development of Grace Village an affordable housing community for low-income seniors, the congregation is assuring vital ongoing support for its new residents through Grace Village Services as well as ongoing support for low-income families and individuals served by local community agencies.

Grace Housing Inc., a nonprofit corporation, has been formed to receive and distribute lease income from Grace Lutheran’s properties now administered by California Lutheran Homes. Income from these leases will fund local services through a Legacy Framework established by the congregation. The congregation will see funding continue for community organizations supporting the mission of establishing permanent housing for families and food security, including Transition House and Habitat for Humanity, as well as Grace Lutheran’s 40-year-old Saturday food program, the Grace Food Pantry.

Construction of Grace Village is expected to break ground in 2016, followed by an estimated 18-month construction schedule.

The Grace Lutheran facility will also continue to serve the community until construction begins, as the church building will continue to host the many community groups that have been meeting there over the years, including several 12-Step groups, Alzheimer's support groups, Grace Quilters and others.

“Although with a measure of pain and a sense of loss, the closing of the Grace congregation does not mean the end of a ministry,” said Pat Wheatley, president of Grace Lutheran Church. “In fact, closing has provided the congregation an opportunity of expanding that ministry throughout the years as we try to listen to what God is calling us to do.”

As a long established Lutheran church on State Street with strong ties to the community for more than a century, Grace Lutheran knows the importance of leaving a legacy.

“The need in Santa Barbara for affordable, truly affordable, housing for the aging population was a ministry we could see belonged at this site,” said Rev. Lynn Bruer, former pastor of Grace Lutheran. “For more than a decade, as the congregation saw that it was increasing in age and not growing in numbers, they have had intentional conversations about the future and the mission.”

Along the way, Grace board members came up with several good ideas and affordable senior housing was one of them.

“This is a strong partnership,” said CLH president and CEO Rev. Gary Wheeler. “Both Grace Lutheran and California Lutheran Homes have a strong commitment to social ministry and the creation of affordable housing is a way of making a real difference in the lives of those we serve.”

The City of Santa Barbara recently updated its general plan to add additional affordable housing to meet increased need, according to Bill Jennings, CLH CFO.

“CLH has a long history of turning donors’ gifts into lasting legacies,” Rev. Wheeler said. “Our work with CARING Housing Ministries in the area of affordable housing is just one way we and our partners can make a difference in people’s lives. Working with churches who want to use their resources to leave a lasting legacy of social ministry is an important outgrowth of our collaborative work through the church.”

 For more information on how you can leave a legacy through CLH, contact CLH Executive Jill Hammer at 800-233-3709 or visit californialutheranhomes.org.

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities.  CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances.  

Leave a Legacy and Change the Future

A message from Ross Merritt, CLH Foundation Executive

In our last issue of CLH Today we told you about some of the amazing ways your gifts have been used to benefit our residents and are meeting the needs of the community at-large. One of those stories explained how a gift from the estate of Carlsbad By The Sea resident Ellie Piers is being used to support cyber security for seniors. Ellie wanted part of her legacy to go toward protecting others from cyber criminals who often target older adults with financial scams. Thanks to a generous gift from her estate, the CLH-supported Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing has partnered with cyber security experts, law enforcement leaders and financial and technology firms to address this important problem. The ‘Piers Project’ is now moving forward with a collaborative effort in this much needed area.

Creating a Legacy to change the future does not need to be a difficult thing to do and often it is simply a matter of signing your name to a document (a Will or Revocable Living Trust) that leaves a charitable bequest to California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH), or a Charitable Gift Annuity that pays you a fixed income for life, with mostly tax-free payments and a nice tax deduction. The remainder can be designated for an innovative idea like the ‘Piers Project.’ These are simple ways to help fund significant projects that can make a difference in the lives of those that come after us. We would love to discuss the possibilities with you!

If you would like to receive additional information about how you can leave a legacy, our programs and funding opportunities or hear more stories of how CLH is touching lives through social ministry, please contact me at 800-233-3709 or rmerritt@frontporch.net.


Sincerely,


Ross Merritt

CLH Foundation Executive

CALIFORNIALUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities.  CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances.  

A Family of Givers

Their generosity goes back decades. During the early 1980s Lois and Lyle Schroder first donated to California Lutheran Homes and Community Services, not knowing that in 1991 Lois’ mom, Eda Cole, would be a resident at CLH–supported Walnut Manor Retirement Community and become a donor herself.

“We grew up in and raised our children in the Lutheran church,” Lyle said. “It was a natural thing for us to support CLH, particularly after Lois’ mother was living at Walnut Manor through the 1990s.”

Also in the 1990s Lois and Lyle’s son Terry remembers volunteering at Walnut Manor and visiting for youth activities.

“My churches were Lamb of God and Grace Lutheran in Anaheim,” Terry said. “I remember becoming a donor to CLH when I was a teenager. It was something my parents and the church instilled in me as important and our support continues.”

Some 30 years later, the old Walnut Manor is gone and the new Walnut Village stands in its place, and Terry, his wife Kathi and Terry’s parents Lyle and Lois remain faithful givers to California Lutheran Homes. Add to the mix of this family of givers, recent Walnut Village residents and donors Connie and Del Crane, Kathi’s parents.

“When my parents told me they wanted to move to a retirement community, I immediately thought of Walnut Village,” Kathi said. “As CLH donors we asked (CLH Foundation Executive) Ross (Merritt) to help us encourage my mom and dad to make the move to Walnut Village. They couldn’t be happier.”

“We immediately loved what we saw,” Del said. “We were particularly looking for a continuing care retirement community in case our health needs changed. What made Walnut Village even better was that it was supported by CLH.”

The Cranes are currently reviewing the sale of their home and are considering a charitable remainder trust with CLH. Terry, Kathi, Lois and Lyle continue to give to the CLH general fund so that their donations can be used for the greatest need.


CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICESCalifornia Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities. CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances. 

CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging to Host 6th Annual International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality

Four-day conference in Los Angeles this fall to feature internationally known speakers and experts

Issues and topics related to aging and spirituality will take center stage this fall as the California Lutheran Homes Center for Spirituality and Aging hosts the 6th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality.

“The CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging is excited to host the 6th International conference,” said Nancy Gordon, the Center’s director. “Our goal is to give participants unique insight into the spiritual journey of aging as well as practical suggestions on how to better serve the needs of older adults.”

The 6th International Conference, to take place October 4-7 2015 at the California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles, continues a series of international conferences which began in Canberra, Australia in 2000. This year’s conference titled Paradox and Promise in the Pilgrimage of Aging will be hosted in the United States for the first time.

The 2015 event will include a mixture of keynote speakers in the areas of gerontology, spirituality, workshops and the presentation of papers of interest to those coming from a faith-based approach and to those approaching spirituality from a secular viewpoint.

Plenary speakers scheduled to attend are Jane M. Thibault, MA, MSSW, Ph.D, emerita clinical professor of geriatrics and gerontology in the Department of Family and Geriatric Medicine at the School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY; Keith Albans, PH.D, BD, senior chaplain to Methodist Homes in Great Britain; Elizabeth MacKinlay, AM, FACN, Ph.D, professor in the School of Theology, Charles Stuart University; Ralph Kunz, M.Th, Ph.D, Ph.D habil, professor in practical theology with special focus on homiletics and pastoral care at the University of Zurich; Rabi Dayle Friedman MA, MSW, MA, founder and director of Growing Older – Wisdom + Spirit Beyond Midlife; and Mary Catherine Bateson BA, Ph.D, scholar, writer and cultural anthropologist.

“We chose the workshop theme because many cultures and religions have ‘pilgrimages’ to sacred places as part of their tradition,” Nancy said. “A pilgrimage is more than arriving at a destination; it includes the process of the journey—the delays, the inconveniences, the joys, the company in which one travels. The aging experience itself is paradoxical. The 6th International Conference will explore these themes as well as others.”

For more information about the conference, visit spiritualityandaging.org or contact Nancy Gordon at ngordon@frontporch.net or 714-507-1370.


CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN HOMES AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

California Lutheran Homes and Community Services (CLH) is a not-for-profit social ministry organization founded in 1947. CLH’s mission is meeting needs through ‘faith in action’ including support for residents of affordable housing communities managed by partner CARING Housing Ministries, and residents of Front Porch retirement communities, care centers and active-adult communities. CLH-sponsored retirement and active-adult living communities include Carlsbad By The Sea in Carlsbad, CA; Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA, England Oaks in Alexandria, VA and Cecil Pines in Jacksonville, FL. Among the programs and services supported by CLH are the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging, whose mission is to meet the needs of older adults based on the understanding that aging is a spiritual journey; the Front Porch Gallery, which creates community by promoting an understanding of aging through art; the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing, which enhances wellbeing and quality of life through the adaptive use of technology; the CLH Auxiliary; and the Charitable Care Fund, which supports residents in need who have outlived their finances. 
 

Upcoming Events from the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging

by Nancy Gordon, Director California Lutheran Homes and Sunny View Centers for Spirituality and Aging, a Front Porch Partner

Today, just a few days before Christmas, I am struck by how thankful I am to be at the CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging involved in a variety of efforts to support those who care for older adults in nurturing and sustaining the spiritual dimension of the aging journey.

Our workshops this year focused on Alzheimer's disease, beginning with Jade Angelica and her workshop on "Meeting Alzheimer's," which offered some experiential improvisational exercises to hone our communication skills. In April Cordula Dick-Muehlke deepened our understanding of person-centered dementia care, stressing both the personal caregiving skills needed and the organizational setting that enables person-centered care to happen. And then this fall, Judith-Kate Friedman inspired us with her use of music to enhance the journey of aging with dementia for both caregiver and care receiver.

I've had the privilege of putting some of my thoughts in writing with the newsletter and on the web. For Alzheimer's Awareness month I wrote "Alzheimer's Caregivers - Create a New Lens, Explore the Opportunities" about creating a new outlook for responding to the disease that was published on Ask.com. Earlier in the year they also published "Touching Spirits" an article about the importance of spirituality in programming. Our director emeritus, Don Koepke, is in the final editing phase of a book, The Essential Spirit, which the Center is publishing next year. It was fun to write a chapter for that and to co-write the final chapter with Don. You'll be hearing more about it in 2015!

And there is more great stuff coming in 2015! In October we will be hosting the 6th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality in Los Angeles.

The Centers for Spirituality and Aging are excited to be hosting this event; it will be the first time it is held in the United States. Distinguished plenary speakers from around the world have been booked and proposals for workshops, seminars and posters will be received beginning in January. You can find at more about this conference at the conference website. And sign-up here to receive updates about the conference as it continues to take shape. And if you would like to help spread the word, here is flier that you can distribute far and wide!

And we have some great Center events coming up this next year as well, including the celebration of the Center's 15th anniversary next spring. See more information about these events below.

Vital Connections in Long-Term Care - February 19 & 26 

One of the spiritual issues of aging is keeping and creating connectedness with oneself, others, the wider world and the sacred or significant. That's why this practical, experiential workshop by the authors of Vital Connections in Long-Term Care is so important. They will emphasize the spirituality of relational connections in the aging process and provide practical ways of strengthening connections in the settings where care for the aging occurs.

Vital Connections in Cupertino, CA

Vital Connections in Anaheim, CA

Wingspread - March 25th  

As our population ages faith communities are seeing and will be seeing more and more of their members facing the devastation of Alzheimer’s disease. This event offers the riches of presenters who are in Chicago for the American Society of Aging Conference to faith communities in the Chicagoland area.

Register now


California Lutheran Homes Turns 15! - April 13 & 14 

We're celebrating 15 years of service to the aging community with a two-day event, April 13 and April 14 at Walnut Village in Anaheim, CA. Day one will celebrate congregational ministry to the aging. On day two we feature Wendy Lustbader presenting a workshop titled, "Beyond Care: Exploring the Glorious Adventure of the Spirit." Wendy was one of the first presenters when the Center opened in 2000, and it's an honor to be able to have her come back. Stay tuned for more about this two-part event.

From all of this, I think you can see why I feel blest to be here now. It's a deep privilege to bring together so many people who love working with older adults and supporting their spiritual journey. May your year be blest with great joy.