1
VOICES
goins on
B y Te d W . G o i n s , J r .
|
LSC president
Awe-inspiring and fantastic
T
he July 2022 debut of photos from the James Webb Telescope are awe-inspiring, fantastic! The most powerful telescope in the world is seeing our universe like never before. It is looking at objects 13.6 billion light years away, able to look back to within a quarter of a billion years of the Big Bang which was 13.8 billion years ago. To say we are insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe is a Big Bang-sized understatement. In our minuscule corner of the universe, we are significant, we are vital! LSC is vital to the people we walk with,
the Abundant Living we strive to provide! In July, that significance has been on full display as it is every single day. At Trinity Oaks in Salisbury, two funeral home employees were rolling the gurney of a deceased resident down the hall and out of the building. Right behind them came eight Trinity Oaks teammates escorting their friend. They came back by a few minutes later, solemn, and tearful. Without knowing the person or the circumstance, the relationship was obvious and beautiful. A group of Afghan refugees and LSC teammates met for lunch, approximately 20 refugee women, men, children, and the LSC teammates who worked with them. They told stories of home, of Taliban
threats and atrocities, of new life in the USA, and of gratefulness for what Lutheran Services Carolinas has done for them. Seven members of LSC’s Next Generation Leaders Council met to learn and grow together to be better leaders and to prepare for LSC’s future. Every program and every team have their examples. The work of Lutheran Services Carolinas is similar to the universe we are seeing from the James Webb Telescope. LSC is a minuscule copy of the universe. Our mission, vision, and values are as awe-inspiring and fantastic. LSC will continue to serve in our insignificantly small and absolutely vital corner of our universe.
Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas award $302,120 to Wake-area nonprofits The Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas Community Benefit Committee recently announced $302,120 in grants to 12 organizations in Wake County. Since 2014, the committee has directed five percent of revenues from the operation of Searstone, an independent living community in Cary, to Wake County nonprofit organizations serving seniors, indigent seniors, or other vulnerable populations.
The following organizations received awards for the last grant cycle: The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, $35,820; The Jewish Federation of Raleigh-Cary, $12,000; Bridge the Gap, $7,000; Resources for Seniors, $40,000; Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, $20,500; PLM Families Together, $51,000; FIGS of Wake County, $8,500; SAFEchild, $36,000; The Carying Place, Inc., $18,000; Kraft Family YMCA, $20,800; Caring Community Foundation, $37,000; and Note in the Pocket, $15,000.
Learn more about LSC • by following LSC on Facebook and Instagram • by following LSC President Ted Goins on Twitter at TedGoinsLSCPrez • or by visiting the LSC website at www.LSCarolinas.net.
On the cover: Liberian refugee Theresa Nassau now works as a direct care provider at Moretz Manor, LSC’s
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) home in Durham, North Carolina.
2
VOICES
LSC celebrates World Refugee Day
L
SC celebrated World Refugee Day in June to honor the strength and courage of its LSC New Americans Program clients. Around 200 people, including clients and volunteers, attended the Columbia office’s event that was held at Three Rivers Baptist Church. Riverland Hills Baptist Church used its bus to bring clients, and many volunteers and Circle of Welcome leaders transported families as well. Trinity Baptist and Shandon Presbyterian Church donated funds and supplies for the activities, and the AKA Sorority supplied snacks, drinks, and cotton candy. Over 40 individual volunteers attended and helped during the event, and additional team members from the Columbia Circles of Welcome attended as well. “The kids had the best day. They had shaved ice and cotton candy for the first time, had their faces painted, ran around with their balloon art, and could not get enough of the bounce house and water slide,” Sarah Lewis, outreach coordinator for the Columbia office said. “The women enjoyed a henna party while other adults drank tea together, visited in the shade, or watched the kids play.”
Lewis added the team could not have imagined a better day. The New Americans Office in Greenville, SC teamed up with World Relief Upstate SC to celebrate World Refugee Day at the Greenville Zoo, and the Raleigh office held a potluck in the park. Christopher McLaren, area manager for the LSC New Americans Program Raleigh office, said about 50 people came out to enjoy the picnic. “The kids got to play games, and one of our staff brought a guitar and played some songs,” he said. “All in all, it was a really nice afternoon,
and a good opportunity for everyone to spend some time and break some bread together outside of a work setting.” In Charleston, LSC teammates coordinated an event at Wannamaker Park that brought together 75 people from the community, clients, and volunteers to celebrate together. “It was great to see so many people with different cultures and backgrounds having a great time together laughing, eating, and even dancing,” Charleston Outreach Coordinator Sophia Stoios said. Teammates taught clients some classic American dances, like the Electric Slide, and clients shared traditional Afghan dances in return. “I think it was important to celebrate this day here in Charleston to show the diverse new community that is forming in our city as a result of our clients arriving from all different parts of the world,” Stoios said. “We want to make Charleston a place where all people are welcome, so spending an evening getting to know one another is the perfect step to do so.” S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
3
The Loyal Service Award winners were honored during a luncheon at Trinity Oaks. Pictured are Sandra Altamirano of Trinity Glen; Carole Bodenhamer of Trinity Elms assisted living; Elisa Bolick of Trinity Ridge; Susan Cottraux of Trinity at Home; and Torrie Evans from LSC’s child and family services program.
LSC announces
Loyal Service winners L SC is excited to announce seven Loyal Service Award winners for 2022! Each year, LSC honors staff members who fulfill its mission by serving clients and residents in an extraordinary way. Nominated by their peers and supervisors, Loyal Service Award winners lead by example. In short, they are the heart and soul of LSC. Congratulations to the following winners:
day. While doing her treatments as assigned, she will lend a hand to other CNAs, answer call lights, and direct families. She offers her help whenever it is needed. Teammates say she is all about compassion. She is supportive of her teammates and seeks out ways to assist them. She also encourages her teammates that are newly-arrived from Puerto Rico.
Sandra Altamirano, CNA II Trinity Glen Carole Bodenhamer Altamirano has been a Trinity Glen Receptionist, Trinity Elms teammate for 19 years. Her peers say she Assisted Living demonstrates the LSC Way in her work each Bodenhamer has dedicated 20 years of 4
VOICES
service to Trinity Elms assisted living. Residents look to Bodenhamer as the community’s rock. She answers questions, delivers packages to rooms, and they all know they can depend on her. During Covid, she helped with the new guidelines, made sure PPE was available, and helped navigate the new normal with residents, teammates, and families. She came in two hours early for 18 months to ensure the community had Covid screening coverage during the pandemic. Bodenhamer believes in LSC’s mission her faithfulness and Christian beliefs carry over into her work.
Elisa Bolick CNA, Trinity Ridge Bolick leads by example, is dependable, consistent, and does not shy away from extra duties or responsibilities. She has 20 years of service to LSC. She is a third shift CNA, and first shift teammates sing her praises every day when they come to relieve her. Several have expressed they are more likely to work an extra shift if it’s with Bolick because she is so efficient and thorough. Bolick’s teammates value her opinions and try to mirror her work ethic. She embraces the opportunity to teach new employees the best way to provide quality, resident-centered care. She recently received Trinity Ridge’s Best All Around Award for getting the most compliments from her peers, residents, and family members. She is loved by all. Angela Cope Nursing Staff Scheduler, Trinity Village Cope began her career with LSC 25 years ago. She has a heart of gold and is, without a doubt, an asset to the nursing department and to the entire facility. When there is a need, she steps up without even being asked. When working on the schedule, if she cannot fill a spot on second of third shift, she will go home and sleep for a few hours before returning to work that shift to make sure residents’ needs are met. Although it is not a requirement, she graciously answers texts and calls at all hours of the day, at night, and on the weekends, to assist her teammates in any way possible. Cope is admired and respected by her teammates. She has been Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year. Susan Cottraux Personal Care Assistant, Trinity at Home Cottraux has been a personal care assistant with Trinity at Home for over three years. She leads by example, and always has a smile on her face and a song in her heart.
Trinity Village winners Jennifer Lopez and Angela Cope could not attend the luncheon, but were recognized at the community. Here they are pictured with Director of Nursing Amanda Handy.
Cottraux is a good listener, and she has a sincere wish to help people. She helps train new staff and is always positive about her job and Trinity at Home. She is also an amazing volunteer. She has been a huge part of the Trinity Oaks Family Support Group growth by volunteering to come and bring snacks, do arts and crafts, or play games with the families’ loved ones so they can attend the meeting. She also does devotions and sings at Trinity Living Center, Trinity Oaks assisted living, and the Virginia Casey Center at Trinity Oaks health and rehab. Her peers say Trinity at Home is truly blessed to have Cottraux on their team. Torrie Evans SNAP Coordinator, Child and Family Services In her 10 years of service to LSC, Evans has demonstrated leadership by working with teammates across programs. She is always willing to do what is in the best interest of the children, families, and programs that LSC administers. Evans often works outside of normal
hours to meet the needs of the families she serves. She routinely goes above and beyond by providing outstanding service to all the clients she serves. Those she works with say she is reliable, dependable, and hardworking. She has a passion to serve and shows it daily in her interactions with everyone she comes into contact with. Jennifer Lopez CNA, Trinity Village In her four years at Trinity Village, Lopez has proven herself a strong leader by stepping up to help her teammates and forming relationships with all she meets. She willingly works extra shifts to make sure residents’ needs are met and serves as a mentor for new teammates. She excels in her position and pays close attention to details of the job while providing excellent care. The residents love her and know she will take care of them. She cares for them as if they were her own family. Lopez always has a glowing smile to lift the spirits of residents, families, and teammates. S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
5
LOVE
Made with
Fidget Gals make blankets for restless hands
D
eana Burris has fond memories of her childhood blanket. She remembers the color of it, the smell of it, and especially, the way it felt. “My blanket was satin. I still remember it because it was soothing to me,” Burris, life enrichment campus director at Trinity Oaks, said. “Those are the kinds of feelings that fidget blankets can give to people.” Once a month, a group of Trinity Oaks residents come together to admire each other’s colorful handywork on their fidget blankets. They call themselves the Fidget Gals, and they make the blankets to donate to their peers across
6
VOICES
campus and to Novant Health. A fidget blanket is a lap-size quilt that provides sensory and tactile stimulation for the restless hands of someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, along with people who have ADD or an autism spectrum disability. “A lot of our residents with dementia get anxious and they have other deficits, like their hearing, their sight, their mobility. So, whenever they have a fidget blanket that has different textures and things that can occupy their time, it soothes them,” Burris said. “They can have something in their lap to touch.”
Each fidget blanket is different. Some have bows to grab, and others have ribbons and pockets. Some of them have special messages on the back that say things like, “Made with love.” And some of them tell a story. When Burris was approached by a representative from Novant about forming a volunteer group to make blankets, she knew they had come to the right place. Many of the residents have been sewing their entire lives. “When it was explained to us, they had suggested we have different textures on the blankets so they can feel them,” Fidget Gal Beverly Basler said. “That’s why we have so many different things on it so it can all be stimulating to the recipient. Hopefully it does some good and helps them.” The group has a closet of fabric, thread, trim, and anything else that could be used to make a blanket that has been donated by Trinity Oaks residents or purchased by members. Fidget Gal Ruth Goforth keeps the closet stocked to make sure members have what they need to make the blankets at home. Lola Folss, one of the oldest members of the group at 94, says she prefers to make her blankets out of cotton and jean fabric. She said she’s made about 25 blankets since the group began. “I make them with jean fabric because it’s so stable. So not only is it easier to sew, but it receives whatever you embellish it with and stays in place,” Folss said. “It makes it more secure.” The Fidget Gals have already donated fidget blankets to Novant, Trinity Oaks health and rehab, Trinity Living Center, and the Virginia Casey Center, which is the memory care center at Trinity Oaks. They plan to add Trinity at Home to the list soon.
S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
7
Saville and Linda Riesz were some of the first residents to move into Trinity Landing.
T
he Trinity Landing dream has become a reality. The coastal senior living community welcomed its first residents at the end of June, after four decades of planning. “I am so thrilled that I can’t stop smiling,” Ann Pressly, Trinity Landing director of sales and marketing, said as she helped the first residents get settled into their new home. “I can’t say enough about the opportunity this has been, and how excited I am that it is becoming a reality. All of the Trinity Landing teammates are over the moon excited about the opening of Trinity Landing!” The dream of Trinity Landing began 40 years ago with a donation of 30 acres of land on Masonboro Loop Road by Abba Lossen Crumpler and her niece Mae McFarland in memory of Captain Tom and Annette Lossen and their children to LSC. Crumpler was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington. Then LSC President Rev. Robert Q. Beard negotiated the purchase of 20 additional acres to complete the 50-acre Trinity Landing tract. Beard remained an avid supporter of the project and was excited it was finally under construction. He died in 2021 before the project was complete, but his legacy is secure. “Pinch me and tell me this isn’t a dream!” said LSC President Ted Goins. “Forty years ago, Mrs. Abba Crumpler and Lutheran Services Carolinas had a dream, and that dream is being realized today! Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time and season for everything; this is the season of Trinity Landing!” 8
VOICES
The dream is a
REALITY
Trinity Landing welcomes first residents
New resident Joanne Bryant enjoys her patio after she moved in.
The community sits just south of Wrightsville Beach on the Intracoastal Waterway. Geared to active senior living, amenities include a waterfront pavilion and dock with boat slips and kayak launch; three restaurant venues; a wellness center featuring a saltwater pool and spa; walking paths, biking paths, and boardwalks; a dog park; an art studio; gathering rooms for clubs, meetings, and events; an auditorium; a salon and spa; and a library and media
center. The Trinity Landing team is looking forward to seeing relationships develop between the residents themselves, and the community. “We have already built a culture here that feels life family even before opening. Now we get to be together,” Pressly said. “Our Trinity Landing community is more than just a beautiful building. It will be a thriving and vibrant community for the seniors who live here.” Longtime LSC teammate Bonnie Skobel has been named executive director of Trinity Landing and has led the monumental effort to complete the project, set up the systems, hire teammates, and open. John Frye, another longtime LSC teammate who was the owner representative and project manager for LSC’s Trinity Grove in Wilmington, recreated his role to successfully complete Trinity Landing. The Trinity Landing marketing office is in Wilmington at 5215 Junction Park Circle, Suite 102. For more information about Trinity Landing, call 910-769-9600 or go to TrinityLanding.net.
— S TA F F U P D AT E S — Cooley named recruitment manager of NC foster care team Crystal Cooley has been named LSC’s recruitment manager for its North Carolina foster care team. The statewide recruitment program was created through LSC’s ongoing Be The Light campaign to strengthen LSC’s ability to find loving foster families who will provide safe homes and compassionate care to the rising number of children entering
North Carolina’s foster care system. “I am happy to have Crystal on our management team. Selecting her to fulfill this role was a no brainer. It is naturally a great fit given her expertise, her passion, and drive to meet the needs of children in our communities through building capacity for foster homes,” Nakia Batts, LSC North Carolina executive director of children’s services, said. “I am excited to witness the impact of the NC Recruitment team under her leadership.”
Dubay named Director of Development Emily Dubay will be serving as LSC’s new Director of Development. She has 14 years of experience in human services and Lutheran fundraising across Illinois and North Carolina. Emily became a part of LSC’s Development Team in 2019. “LSC is fortunate to have a professional of Emily Dubay’s ability already on the team and ready to advance,” said LSC President and CEO Ted Goins. “Emily has a great rapport with everyone she touches, and she tells our LSC story so well.” Dubay graduated from Clemson Universi-
ty with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and went on to earn her Master of Social Work degree at the University of South Carolina. Before coming to LSC, Dubay is proud to have been a part of the Campaign for the
See COOLEY on page 15 ELCA: Always Being Made New team that collectively raise more than $115,000,000 for ELCA World Hunger projects in the US and internationally. Dubay lives in Mooresville, NC with her husband, Dan and two sons; Will and Brooks. They are members of St. Mark’s Lutheran in Mooresville. “Putting my time and energy towards something that can improve someone else’s life, is meaningful and exciting to me,” she said. “Having the opportunity to build relationships while connecting resources to a community need doesn’t feel like work to me, it’s a privilege. I’m look forward to all that is ahead with LSC!”
Estridge named director of communications and marketing for LSC
Carolina University and a certificate in digital marketing from The George Washington University. “We are thrilled to have someone of Amy Estridge is the newest member of Amy’s caliber join the LSC team,” said LSC the communication/marketing team, serving President and CEO Ted Goins. “The LSC as the new director of communications and Way is to tell our story and Amy will be great marketing. at telling the great story of Lutheran Services Estridge has been working in the marCarolinas.” keting and public relations space for over When she isn’t working, Estridge stays in20 years, most recently directing the volved in several local charities and non-profcommunication and marketing efforts of it organizations and loves offering her time a national healthcare consulting group. and services to help better her community. She has extensive experience creating and A native North Carolinian, she lives in implementing plans for various businesses Mooresville with her two teens, Avery and while driving messaging and content. She has Liam, and husband Bob. In her spare time, both a masters and bachelor’s in communiyou’ll find her in the stands cheering on cation (healthcare concentration) from East her son’s football team, or at a horse show
supporting her daughter. Together they share their lives with dogs Georgia, Jax, and Blaze, and beloved horse, Magnolia. “I am incredibly excited to have joined the LSC team,” Estridge said. “I’m looking forward to helping drive the messaging of the mission and values of LSC throughout the Carolinas.”
S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
9
Theresa Nassau with Moretz Manor client, David.
“I knew I had to be part of it”
Refugee from Liberia now works at LSC’s Moretz Manor
T
heresa Nassau never panics if things get a little stressful as a direct care provider at Moretz Manor, LSC’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) home in Durham, North Carolina. She says when you’ve been through what she has, you see life and problems differently. Nassau and her daughter were forced to leave their home in Liberia, a country in West Africa, because of a war. “It was terrible. You saw people being killed and you saw people being tortured. You are just grateful you survived,” she said. “If you’ve been through some of what we’ve been through, you don’t panic.” They escaped to Ghana, where they lived at a refugee camp
10
VOICES
while waiting to come to the United States. She said the refugee camp was the largest in Africa, with about 40,000 people living there at the time. It was safe and peaceful in Ghana, but finding a job was not easy. “It was difficult and hard. You are used to working for an income, and that was not there,” she said. “But we survived; made it day to day. Most of what sustained us in Ghana was our faith. Our faith kept us hoping that we could get to the United States. And one day it came true.” In 2005, after over 2 years of interviewing/working with See Moretz on page 14
GIVING BACK J
After TBI, couple supports Be The Light
ohn and Monica Lavery are being the light with their support of LSC. Monica Lavery is a clinical social worker, trauma therapist, and clinical supervisor. She worked at child and family services and community mental health in Raleigh for 22 years. During that time, she became familiar with LSC’s foster care program. The couple were also members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for 18 years, which is where they learned of LSC’s refugee resettlement programs. Monica Lavery was the outreach coordinator for the church and helped coordinate support for the programs by collecting donations throughout the year. But it wasn’t until recently that the Lavery’s discovered LSC’s Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) homes; a cause that is close to their hearts. John’s TBI Just after Christmas in 2013, John Lavery fell out of a tree that he was trimming in the couple’s yard. He was nearly killed by the fall and was taken to WakeMed where it was discovered he had sustained a TBI. “The main injury was to the base of the brain, which is an unusual injury. A lot of people who have brain injuries have frontal lobe injuries or on the side, but the way he fell, he had a whiplash injury and almost broke his neck,” Monica Lavery said. “The base of the brain regulates your breathing, your heart rate, your blood pressure, it regulates everything in your body. So, when John first fell, WakeMed had a real challenge in regulating all of his body functions while his brain got better.” Before his accident John Lavery, a PhD mathematician, worked at the Army Research Office in Research Triangle Park as associate director for mathematical and computational sciences, had a consulting firm on the side, and worked as an adjunct professor with NC State University’s Department of
Monica and John Lavery made a commitment to LSC’s Be The Light campaign after learning what it will do for the organization’s TBI programs.
Materials Sciences Engineering. He was also a triathlete, and in great shape. Monica Lavery believes that his active lifestyle played a role in his recovery. John Lavery now lives independently at Abbotswood at Stonehenge in Raleigh. “When John was in the hospital, the neuropsychologist thought he would be in a nursing home for the rest of his life,” Monica Lavery said. “And I said to her, ‘You don’t know my husband.’” His funds of knowledge were largely unaffected, so John Lavery still reads and speaks the languages he already knew (German, Mandarin, French), and he was able to go back to work part-time as an adjunct professor at NC State, supervising PhD candidates with mathematical projects, for a couple of years. At Abbotswood, John Lavery is very involved. He attends exercise classes and was part of the community’s choir before it
took a break due to Covid. He’s been playing trombone since he was in high school and uses the instrument for breath control exercises. “It’s important for people with TBI to have as full a life as possible, so they can get stimulation for their brain to help them recover,” Monica Lavery said. “Where we are now is that John lives independently, which I hope is encouragement for anyone who has a relative with TBI.” Committing to Being the Light While John Lavery was in the hospital, Monica Lavery noticed many of the people they met with TBIs were young. “I met a number of people through the support group at WakeMed and there were a lot of parents who were trying to figure out what was going to happen to their children who were disabled with TBI when they are See GIVING on page 15 S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
11
BE THE LIGHT campaign update
better at Moretz because they listen to me, and they are supportive. I’ve never had that before my life at Moretz.”
L
SC is in the midst of a $4.2 Million Be The Light campaign to expand and enhance our child and family services across North Carolina. Since the launch of this campaign in 2021, our communities are better and brighter. The generosity of supporters is already at work changing lives around the state. David’s TBI Story David was married with two children. In August 2017 he acquired a TBI from a gunshot wound after an altercation. In a moment, David’s entire life changed. David has been a resident at Moretz Manor, in Durham since January. Moretz Manor is LSC’s newest 24/7 residence for six adults living with TBI. It offers residents round-the-clock assistance, supervision designed to strengthen independence, as well as encouragement for community integration. LSC’s Certified Brain Injury Staff assist individuals with activities of daily living, encourage positive friendships, build skills toward independent living, and increase socialization to maximize potential. There were reports of conflict from David’s previous placement but the staff at Moretz Manor say that David is a complete joy. He is a 51-year-old joke making, bubbly personality card shark who is always willing to help with any project. He is independent, completes his chores, loves to cook, and eat. Staff at Moretz Manor are
12
VOICES
Just Getting Started Stories like David’s wouldn’t be possible without you. And we are just getting started. The Be The Light campaign provided initial funding to help establish Moretz Manor. To date, individuals, congregations, and foundations have given more than $1.9 Million dollars toward Be The Light. We aren’t done yet! There is still a lot of work to be done and it won’t happen without the help from donors like you. We are inspired by your generosity and the knowledge that we are making a David has been a resident at Moretz difference in the lives of so many North Manor, in Durham since January. LSC Carolinians. teammates say he is a complete joy. If you haven’t heard about the campaign working with David to help him get a job or would like to learn more, please connect because he likes to have a purpose. with Director of Development Emily When asked if his life is better because of Dubay at edubay@lscarolinas.net or visit Moretz Manor and how, David said “Life is https://lscarolinas.net/be-the-light/.
Welcoming the Stranger NC Synod Bishop issues challenge
L
SC teammates had the opportunity to highlight the Be The Light campaign during the North Carolina Synod’s Gathering this summer. During the Gathering, NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith issued a challenge for congregations to support LSC’s refugee resettlement efforts through its New Americans Program. The goal is that 70% of the synod’s 197 congregations (138 congregations) will actively engage in resettlement over the next 18 months. “As a church called to welcome the stranger, and as the North Carolina Synod, we are asking you to help us care for and welcome refugee families,” Smith said. What can you do? Start a Circle of Welcome Play a pivotal role in a family’s ‘long welcome’ with the support of LSC and the NC Synod Immigration & Refugee Team. Micro-grants are available to congregations beginning new Circles of Welcome. For more information, connect with Matt Hembree, executive director of the LSC New Americans Program, at MHembree@ lscarolinas.net. Become a Partner to a Circle of Welcome
NC Synod Bishop Tim Smith wears his Be The Light sunglasses during the Synod Gathering.
LSC President and CEO Ted Goins speaks about the Be The Light campaign at the NC Synod Gathering.
Provide gift cards for families and/or needs like food, transportation, furniture donations, etc. Provide Housing Consider using your parsonage—or any congregation-owned housing—for refugee families. LSC will provide a rental stipend for these properties. Hold a Be The Light campaign Run a five-week congregation appeal
to support LSC’s Be The Light campaign to expand and enhance LSC’s child and family services across North Carolina. For more information visit www.lscarolinas.net/ be-the-light or connect with Emily Dubay, Director of Development, at Edubay@ lscarolinas.net. For more information on LSC’s New Americans Program visit https://lscarolinas. net/refugee-and-immigrant-services/
S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
13
LSC President Ted Goins elected chair of NCHCFA LSC President and CEO Ted Goins was elected chair of the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association (NCHCFA) in May 2022 during the association’s annual meeting. He will serve a two-year term. “LSC’s vision, mission, and values mean that if we are going to be members of organizations, we should be active members,” Goins said. “That includes taking our turn in leadership, sometimes as leaders and sometimes as followers.” NCHCFA represents over 90% of all the nursing homes in the state of North Car-
olina. With over 40,000 beds and 40,000 teammates, quality nursing homes are vital for the elders of North Carolina, and for the state itself. Goins added that NCHCFA involvement is more important than ever right now. “NCHCFA is leading in the midst of a lifetime event in the Covid pandemic and in the midst of the worst workforce emergency in modern history,” he said. “NCHCFA is leading the advocacy effort for adequate reimbursement to allow health care to pay adequate wages and benefits which is essential
to caring for our state’s elders as we’d want to be cared for.” Goins has been involved with the NCHCFA for over 30 years. About NCHCFA NCHCFA represents and supports nearly 400 member facilities providing quality care to residents of skilled nursing facilities (including long term care and nursing home facilities) in North Carolina. The association was formed in 1955 and remains the state’s oldest and largest association dedicated to advancing the skilled nursing profession.
Celebrating the Fourth
Trinity Oaks held its annual Fourth of July parade again this year. Filled with red, white, and blue, the parade was a great way to for the entire campus to celebrate together. Thank you to all who came out to participate!
Moretz, from page 10
Once they were on their feet, Nassau said she and her daughter felt North Carolina callthe United Nations and Lutheran Immigraing to them. They knew a lot about the state, tion and Refugee Service (LIRS), Nassau and loved the weather, and her daughter loved the her daughter were put on a flight to FrankUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. furt, Germany and then to Chicago, Illinois. “It was like a fishing pole that pulled us LIRS is a non-profit organization that there. Everything was centered around UNC welcomes and supports refugees and migrants Chapel Hill,” she said. “I was trying to find entering the United States. LSC works closely a mid-point and I knew a lot about North with LIRS to welcome refugees through its Carolina. Now Chapel Hill is home.” LSC New Americans Program. Nassau secured a job as an instructional They were eventually resettled in Portland, assistant with Durham Public Schools. She Oregon with the help of Lutheran Communi- has her bachelor’s degree in education and ty Services (LCS) Northwest. taught language arts and social studies in Li“They (LCS Northwest) took care of beria before they were forced to leave. When everything from there,” she said. “They had she arrived in the United States, she also got sponsors, volunteers, people taking you to her associates in general science. Her daughter appointments, they found us a place to live. lived her dream and graduated from UNC They were fantastic.” Chapel Hill. 14
VOICES
In her job with the school system, Nassau works with exceptional children who have learning disabilities. When Nassau came across the direct care provider job opening with LSC at Moretz Manor, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of the organization. “When I saw the word ‘Lutheran’ I knew I had to be part of it,” she said. “The Lutheran organizations helped us so much when we came to this country. I was excited to work for Lutheran Services Carolinas.” She began her job as a direct care provider at Moretz Manor this year, and says she loves being part of the team. “They encourage me. They let me know what I need to do and how to get things done,” she said. “I like the teamwork here. I love working with people.”
LSC receives two Lowe’s Reconstruction Grants LSC recently received two Lowe’s Reconstruction Grants for its disaster response program. The first grant provided $11,000 in Lowe’s gift cards and $1,540 for administrative expenses for South Carolina; and the second provided $11,000 in Lowe’s gift cards and $1,540 for administrative expenses for North Carolina. The 2022 Lowe’s Reconstruction Grant is made possible through a generous donation from Lowe’s and is designed for reconstruction material supplies in recovery
COOLEY, from page 9 Cooley began her career with LSC in September 2017 as a case manager and was then promoted to family recruiter. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and 16 years of experience working in the mental health field. She is also a foster parent herself. Since becoming a foster parent in 2016, Cooley has fostered 23 children including Intensive Alternative Family Treatment (IAFT) and respite. She first became familiar with foster care when she worked as a guardian ad litem intern in Robeson County, North Carolina. A
GIVING, from page 11 no longer able to take care of them,” Monica Lavery said. When the couple heard about the Be The Light campaign and how it will support LSC’s TBI program, they knew it was something they had to be a part of. “When I read about LSC’S TBI homes I was really interested. Then when we saw the campaign, we knew we had to jump on that,” Monica Lavery said. “It’s a really big need and LSC is trying to help meet that need through these homes.” One of the goals of the campaign includes creating two residential group
and ongoing response projects across the United States and its territories. This gift has allowed National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) to offer this innovative grant project to National VOAD members. South Carolina has been impacted by several major disasters (historic flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes) since 2015. LSC has been working in affected communities assisting with disaster case management and recovery/ rebuilding efforts for the last six years. LSC seeks to continue to assist the most vulner-
able households, including low-income, elderly, disabled, and single parent survivors. North Carolina has been devastated by numerous hurricanes and other disasters over the last six years and thousands of people have been impacted by these back-to-back events. LSC has been working in affected communities assisting with disaster case management and recovery and rebuilding efforts since 2016. The gift cards will be used to purchase building materials and appliances to help disaster survivors in both states.
guardian ad litem is an impartial person the court appoints to act as a representative for the minor children in a contested custody proceeding. After relocating to Raleigh, Cooley became a substance abuse prevention specialist and worked with students across four counties. She also began working at the Boys and Girls Club and realized there was a high population of foster children. So, she became a foster parent with another agency and began working with LSC. When the position for recruitment team manager became available, Cooley said she was hesitant to apply. But then she prayed about it.
“God spoke to me and told me he would equip me with everything I needed to walk in the new role,” she said. “My supervisors were very supportive and encouraging. I wanted to have that growth and development. They believed in me, and I believe in myself.” In her new role, Cooley supports a team of six recruiters located in Hickory, Wilmington, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Raleigh, and Fayetteville. “I’m looking forward to helping alleviate the crisis around children not being able to find stable placement through foster care,” Cooley said. “Our team is hitting the ground running and recruiting more parents to open up more homes for these children.”
homes for people with brain injuries. LSC opened the first of these two homes in 2021 thanks to the generous support from campaign donors. Moretz Manor is located in Durham, NC and offers a safe place for up to six individuals with TBIs to live independently. The campaign will also create a new integrated model of care to improve outcomes for the ever-expanding number of clients with brain injuries in LSC’s care, most of whom have complex health needs. This new model will improve both the physical and behavioral health needs of clients by promoting coordinated communication across multiple health providers and LSC teammates.
The Lavery’s have personally made a three-year financial commitment to support the campaign through gifts of stock. They have designated their gift to support the goal to create two TBI homes. “We have a long-term commitment to LSC because we really believe in the quality of the organization,” Monica Lavery said. “I really love what LSC does because it’s such a variety of things. The staff is from all over the world, and they put their talents and skills toward issues that are very timely. This is an organization that has a great track record.” For more information on LSC’s Be The Light campaign, visit https://lscarolinas.net/ be-the-light/ S E P T E M B E R 2 02 2
15
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Salisbury, N.C. Permit #98 (Lutheran Services for the Aging, Inc.)
Post Office Box 947 Salisbury, North Carolina 28145 Phone: 704-637-2870 Toll free: 1-800-HELPING www.LSCarolinas.net
Return Service Requested If you are receiving multiple copies of LSC Voices or no longer wish to receive the newsletter or other mailings which might include LSC fundraising requests, please call or send the mailing label from this page along with your request to LSC at the above address.
“Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.”
Building Independence program LSC teammates recently met with legislators as they toured the Building Independence program in Raleigh. The Building Independence project brought together Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, Lutheran Services Carolinas, and The Serving Cup non-profits to build housing for nine young adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Built by Habitat for Humanity, these homes are being operated by LSC, with residents paying an affordable monthly fee for housing and services.
The North Carolina Office of Management and Budget Legislative Team toured the project, learned about its history, and discussed possible future collaborations. LSC Executive Director of North Carolina Operations Jeffrey DeMagistris was there to give the tour along with Program Manager Kay Briggs, Eric and Gail Vaughn from The Serving Cup, Habitat team members, and representatives from the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.
Voices is a publication of Lutheran Services Carolinas, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit health and human services organization and a social ministry serving children and families in North and South Carolina and older adults in North Carolina. Content for Voices is written by Amy Estridge, director of communications and marketing, and Erin Kidd, communications manager. Questions or comments should be directed to Amy Estridge at aestridge@lscarolinas.net
LSC Administrative Office 1416 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. Post Office Box 947 Salisbury, N.C. 28145 704-637-2870 16 ANNUAL REPORT
LSC Charlotte Post Office Box 30066 Charlotte, N.C. 28230 704-940-3333
LSC Columbia Office 1118 Union St. Columbia, S.C. 29201 803-750-9917
LSC Raleigh Office 4020 Wake Forest Road Suite 301 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 919-832-2620