On the Forefront

EDITORIAL TEAM

Sarah Macias

Video and Visual Content Coordinator

Amee McGough

PR Liaison

Wendy Van Bemmel

PR/Communications Director

SPOTLIGHT ON MARTIN UCHE

FOREFRONT O

STARTING 2026 WITH FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL CARE AND PURPOSE

Martin Uche recently joined Forefront Living (FL) as Project Manager He enjoys helping teams turn complex ideas into clear actionable plans. Get to know him in this Q and A. Read more.

Forefront Living brings spiritual care to the forefront, guided by the values of Diversity, Integrity, Stewardship and Compassion. As the new year begins, this focus reflects the organization’s mission to make each moment matter and its vision of empowering individuals to thrive, setting a thoughtful tone for the year ahead. Read more.

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IN GRATITUDE FOR TEAMMATES

The creation of Employee Appreciation Funds across Forefront Living’s operational communities grew from residents’ desire to meaningfully thank the teammates who care for them every day. Through the program, teammates receive their gift based on length of service, to make sure every team member is recognized fairly for their care, concern and dedication. Read more.

LIVE PODCAST AUDIENCE SAVORS EXOTIC DISHES FROM HAWAII AND SOUTH AMERICA

Bring your appetite and step into the kitchen at The Outlook at Windhaven! Learn the art of preparing Hawaiian poke with Hawaiian native, Chef Ke’o Velasquez Then dive into making Sea Bass Ceviche with Leche de Tigre with Chef Roberto Riera These delicious dishes are sure to be crowd pleasers Enjoy this flavor-packed cooking demonstration!

A NOTE FROM BROOKS POWELL

Spiritual care is an essential part of life for many residents. I’m thankful for Forefront Living’s commitment to supporting this aspect of whole-person wellness through on-site chaplains and focused programing. It will be exciting to see how these spiritual life resources are established and expanded alongside Bella Vida (BV).

This year is shaping up to be an exciting one for BV as construction continues to progress and the campus takes shape. Read more.

MEN’S SIDELINE SOCIAL

It was “game on” for Bella Vida’s (BV) first exclusive men’s event, Sideline Social! Thirteen BV VIPs gathered to watch the Myrtle Beach Bowl game The fun, football-filled afternoon included some fabulous prizes too Read more

BELLA VIDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

Construction progress at Bella Vida continues, bringing the San Antonio senior living community to life. Work is moving along nicely at the Memory Support (MS) building and The Villas. The MS roof is complete and windows will be installed soon. Read more.

RACHEL’S CORNER: LOOKING AHEAD

As we step into 2026, I am genuinely excited for what this new year holds for the Bella Vida community There is so much to look forward to and I am grateful to be part of this journey with all of you As we continue moving forward with Finish Meetings for the apartment homes, I have truly loved spending time with the VIPs who already attended their appointments Seeing future residents’ personal style come to life is one of my favorite parts of the process Read more

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT ON KC HILL

A FOREST OF JOY GROWS AT TBPHC

In late December, the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center was filled with extra light, color and comfort thanks to the donation of 40 festively decorated Christmas trees through an initiative now known as “Trees of Joy.” Each tree arrived as a symbol of compassion for patients and families spending the holidays facing serious illness. The response quickly grew beyond anything imagined.

WINTER CALM

The campus of the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center appeared even more peaceful under a thin sheet of snow during January’s winter storm. Read more.

Kuang-Chen “KC” Hill joined Faith Presbyterian Hospice in March 2022. In her role as Chaplain, she provides emotional and spiritual care to patients, their families and caregivers. KC also works with teammates to make sure every patient feels respected as they face their endof-life journeys. Read more.

A BERRY SWEET VALENTINE TREAT

Berry good news! Faith Presbyterian Hospice Executive Chef Raul Solano and the culinary crew at the Mabee Café, located inside the T Boone Pickens Hospice Center, are taking orders for chocolate covered strawberries just in time for Valentine’s Day Read more

FLF YEAR-END GIVING STREGTHENS CARE

As of early January, the Forefront Living Foundation’s (FLF) YearEnd Appeal raised more than $135,000 With several additional gifts still anticipated, FLF expects the campaign will reach approximately $140,000

These gifts support the Faith Caring Fund at Faith Presbyterian Hospice, providing services such as music, massage and pet therapy, as well as funding for the Child and Family Bereavement program The fund also provides benevolent care to seniors who have outlived their resources through no fault of their own Read more

PARTNERS IN PURPOSE

The Forefront Living Foundation (FLF) Advisory Council is dedicated to advancing FLF’s mission and expanding its impact. Members serve as ambassadors offering insight and support for the organization’s important work Read more

FLF AND THE ELUNA NETWORK EXPAND FAMILY GRIEF SUPPORT

What began as a routine grant application has grown into an impactful partnership between the Forefront Living Foundation (FLF) and the Eluna Network (Eluna), a national nonprofit organization providing resources and programs for children and families impacted by grief or addiction

weekend-long family bereavement camp Although Eluna traditionally funded children’s grief camps, the idea of a family model strongly resonated with them Eluna approved the proposal, launching the first Camp Erin DFW family camp in partnership with FPH

In 2022, FLF applied for funding from Eluna to support the Faith Presbyterian Hospice (FPH) Child and Family Bereavement Program

FLF’s ambitious goal was to secure funding to host a

Camp Erin, founded by Eluna, is the largest national bereavement camp program for children and teens ages 6 to 17 These camps are offered at no cost and led by trained bereavement professionals and volunteers Read more

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT ON JOSHUA RIOS

Joshua Rios serves as Culinary Services Supervisor at The Outlook at Windhaven He is passionate about delivering high-quality dining experiences for residents and guests Read more

SOCK HOP AROUND THE CLOCK

The Outlook at Windhaven rocked around the clock for the community’s 50sthemed day that featured a Sock Hop Residents donned poodle skirts and leather jackets to twist the night away Read more

HAPPY FEET STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR

For resident Jan Agin, starting a walking group at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) felt like a great way to stay active while providing an opportunity to get to know her neighbors With a background in physical education, Jan has always enjoyed walking as a means of getting fresh air and enjoying her surroundings while moving her body

With support from OAW’s Community Life team, the idea for the “Happy Feet” resident walking club soon found a regular timeslot on the community activities calendar Read more

RESIDENTS NURTURE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP

The Outlook at Windhaven is home to three, resident-led Bible studies We sat down with resident Mitzi Gaines to learn more about her story and the weekly, co-ed Bible study she leads Read more

SHARING THE ART OF TAI CHI

Resident Faa-Ching

“F C ” Wang shares his passion for Tai Chi with fellow residents every Friday afternoon at The Outlook at Windhaven Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, involves a series of slow and gentle movements as well as physical postures and controlled breathing.

The practice offers several key health benefits including reduced stress, increased relaxation and mental calmness, improved lowerbody strength, better balance and enhanced fall prevention

FAITH FOCUS AT THE HEART OF PVN

ASSISTED LIVING RESIDENTS SUPPORT VOGEL ALCOVE

Presbyterian Village North Assisted Living residents recently came together for a simple but meaningful act of kindness With help from families and teammates, they assembled 100 byebye bags for Vogel Alcove, a Dallas nonprofit that supports children experiencing homelessness Read more

At Presbyterian Village North (PVN), spiritual life is at the heart of the community experience. The PVN Spiritual Life team, led by Gary Fox, Director of Spiritual Life, and Elise Neal, Associate Director of Spiritual Life, brings warmth and commitment to supporting residents in every dimension of their lives.

GET TO KNOW PVN’S SPIRITUAL LIFE TEAM

At PVN, spiritual care shaped by the teammates who serve the community each day. Read more about Gary Fox. Read more about Elise Neal.

PVN LAUNCHES VOLUME FOUR OF BOOK REVIEW SERIES

For the fourth year in a row, Presbyterian Village North (PVN) Executive Director Dustin Allen is opening the pages to another season of conversation, curiosity and community with his muchanticipated Book Review series Read more

A TRADITION OF GIVING GROWS AT PVN THROUGH OUR CALLING

What started as a simple idea to help neighbors in need has quickly become a meaningful tradition at Presbyterian Village North (PVN) Near the end of 2025, the community gathered for its second annual food drive and meal-packing event continuing a partnership with Our Calling, a Dallas-based nonprofit serving individuals experiencing homelessness across DFW Read more

MEET FATHER CLIFF

Ordained for the Diocese of Dallas, priest and chaplain Father Clifford “Cliff” Smith, devoted more than two decades to ministry before retiring at age 70 and moving to St. Joseph Village (SJV) in 2019. For about six months, he served as the only priest at Holy Family Chapel, SJV’s on-site chapel, providing spiritual leadership and pastoral care to residents. Father Cliff’s journey to priesthood began in 1987 and in 1990, he attended Holy Trinity Seminary and became ordained as a priest in 1996. Read more.

ART OF JOY AT ST. JOSEPH VILLAGE

There is a special art wall at St. Joseph Village (SJV) decorated with colorful, one-of-akind works created by SJV residents themselves.

This unique feature was made possible thanks to SJV residents, Robert and Dorothy Mansen. For the past four and half years, Dorothy has volunteered her time teaching art classes at the community every Wednesday.

“We were excited to display the art class paintings on the art wall, and when we told everyone they were created by students from the class, the response was very positive,” Dorothy shared.

SJV SALES TEAM ATTENDS

GREENBRIER SALES SCHOOL

Jaret Schkade and Angela Espinoza, St. Joseph Village (SJV) Residential Sales Counselors, kicked off the new year by investing in professional growth. The duo attended Greenbrier Sales School at Greenbrier Senior Living’s headquarters in Vestavia, Alabama, during the first week of January. Read more.