The Season of Giving at Claremont Manor

The holidays are here! During this special time of year at Claremont Manor we celebrate together in so many ways. We know how fortunate we are to live and work in a place as wonderful and welcoming as Claremont Manor.

It’s important to take time from the festivities to acknowledge the meaningful generosity and support of our donors. As a donor to the Pacific Homes Foundation you make it possible for eight of our current residents to remain in their homes at our community despite having outlived their assets. As the executive director of Claremont Manor I feel that it is important to acknowledge that kindness and support. These gifts to our fellow residents in need allows me to focus operational resources to enrich the lives of all residents. Your gift benefits everyone in the community! We have much to be grateful for indeed!

Right now, the foundation’s Claremont Manor Resident Assistance Program annual drive is in full swing. And I have great news! An anonymous family member of one of our residents has pledged to match every gift given this month up to $15,000. This is a great opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation before the end of the year, one that could positively affect the lives of your neighbors.

Donating is easy. Visit www.phfdn.org and click on the “Donate” button and type in “CM RAP” in the note box on the bottom of the page.

You can also send a check payable to Pacific Homes Foundation (include “CM RAP” in the memo line) and drop it off at the front desk at Claremont Manor or mail it to Pacific Homes Foundation, 800 N. Brand Blvd., 19th Floor, Glendale, CA 91203. You will receive a written acknowledgement of your gift for tax purposes.

Most of all you will be helping someone in need at your own community.

Thank you again for your generosity. I wish you the very best at the holidays and always.


Greg Hirst
Executive Director
Claremont Manor

Seniors Helping Seniors

From Cupertino to Cameroon, Sunny View Residents Adopt a Sister Village and Raise Money for Needy Seniors

by Bill Penrod, Development Director for the Sunny View Foundation

As Development Director for the Sunny View Foundation my primary commitment is to make sure the Foundation meets the needs of our residents at Sunny View Retirement Community and Sunny View West, the adjacent affordable housing community. Our scope of philanthropic work usually stays fairly close to home, however, this summer we came across an opportunity to extend the reach of our generous Sunny View family by directing our giving to a community of seniors on the other side of the globe; in Cameroon, Africa.

Brought to our attention by Jack York (the founding CEO of iN2L, tablet based technology recently introduced at Sunny View), this opportunity to help became a life-changing one for everyone involved.

It started with a goat named “Jacky.”
While attending the International Association of Homes and Services for the Aging conference, Jack York met Francis Njuakom Nchii, the executive director for Community Development Volunteers for Technical Assistance located in Cameroon. After a moving presentation by Francis detailing the mistreatment of women and the elderly in his home country, Jack felt compelled to make a contribution to the cause, which provides assistance to disadvantaged seniors with a particular focus on women and widows. Jack later received an email from Francis explaining how the funds were used to set up a project called “The Jack York Elderly Women’s Sustainable Goat Rearing Project in North West Region Cameroon.” They even named a goat after him: “Jacky.”

Jack was thrilled that his donation had made a difference and was inspired to do more. He sent out an email to 100 people, including Sally Plank, the executive director at Sunny View, asking for help.

Francis made quite an impression to all.

I’ve met three United States presidents, high-profile athletes from every sport, television celebrities and none of that compares to meeting Francis. We decided to approach Sunny View residents and staff about this important cause. Funds raised would go to support projects such as goat rearing, gardening, farming and beekeeping and well as providing for much needed essentials like blankets and gas lamps. We set up a video call with our residents. Francis brought seniors from a nearby village to attend as well. That was the moment--seeing other seniors in need and hearing their stories--that really inspired our residents. 

Our next step was planning a celebration ceremony to welcome Francis to Sunny View. Jack York organized an “American” road trip from New Orleans, Louisiana to Las Vegas, Nevada and then Sunny View. Francis was moved by the kindness and the openness of the American people. By the time he reached Sunny View he truly understood what the American dream is all about. 

The day of the celebration was a typical morning at Sunny View. Residents were having coffee, reading the local newspaper and watching the news on television. The night before Francis had enjoyed a lively dinner with our residents and when I entered the main dining room there already a buzz about the upcoming event.

Dressed in traditional Cameroonian attire, Francis spoke about his childhood. The oldest child of his father’s first of three wives, Francis was one of 26 children. He described how difficult it was to watch his mother suffer from the beatings his father gave her and his other wives every morning just to show his dominance. After his father’s death, as is the custom in Cameroon, his mother had to give up her property, so Francis and his mother were left homeless and penniless.

Francis also talked about a custom in his country to remove your hat and kneel in the presence of seniors. Francis then proceed to remove his hat and kneel in front of our residents. Everyone was moved by his heart-felt homage. He then went on to described the hardship in Africa and how God has guided him from Africa to India to Australia to the United States --that each time he thought there was no way of getting more done for his seniors, God intervened and provided guidance. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Seniors helping seniors.
We presented our donation: checks from our residents and staff as well as from our parent company Front Porch totaling more than $11,000 to support his seniors.

Francis was compelled to share one last story. He asked for a resident volunteer and Mary Ellen Snodgrass raised her hand. With Mary Ellen at his side, Francis described how in Cameroon, he pays reverence to seniors because as the silver-haired bearers of wisdom they are closest to God’s image. Mary Ellen, teary eyed, hugged Francis as though they were long-time friends.

This experience left our entire community feeling acknowledged and valued in a way that is sometimes rare in our youth-fixated culture. And this feeling, of being recognized as an asset to society--one worth investing in--is part of the gift we hope to deliver our new friends in Cameroon.

Bill Penrod is the Development Director for the Sunny View Foundation (a Front Porch philanthropic partner) which serves Sunny View and Sunny View West Retirement Community residents starting the next chapter of their lives. Find out more about the Sunny View Foundation HERE.

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.