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goins on
B y Te d W . G o i n s , J r .
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LSC president
Teammates are our most valuable resource
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ur ministry to seniors, children, and families would not exist without the over 2,400 Lutheran Services Carolinas (LSC) teammates who serve across the Carolinas. In keeping with the LSC vision, mission, and values, LSC sees teammates as our most valuable resource, those who care for all the people we serve. In the worst labor shortage in modern history, LSC teammates can get another job almost anywhere, often making more money and having better benefits. What is the draw that keeps people working for LSC and draws new teammates to LSC? LSC teammates get to live out their faith at work. We can pray with our residents and clients and teammates. We don’t proselytize, we respect all religions, but we can live out our faiths. All are welcome at LSC. LSC has tightened in other areas to shift as many resources to teammates as is
possible. In this labor shortage, LSC has raised wages and increased benefits to survive Covid and now to combat the competitive workforce environment. LSC has innovated to help even further. LSC will now pay for community college RN or LPN school for every eligible teammate! LSC allocated $1.2M in funds to provide a bonus to every eligible teammate in February 2024. Every teammate employed for at least 30 days will get something; direct care workers will get a bit more than indirect, full time will get a bit more than part time. Bonuses will range from a low of $50 to $1,000, a thank you to all and a gamechanger for many! Wages and benefits are not enough. Most people still change jobs due to their supervisor/work environment. We strive to be the
best employer and best supervisors a person could find. This winter, LSC is bringing in a well-respected supervisory/leadership professional to teach us all how to be better supervisors. Each community and program will send front line supervisors for a full day of training. Often, we promote good teammates into supervisory positions, but they have no supervisory experience. They don’t know how to have difficult conversations or even what one should or shouldn’t say. We have identified a need and are moving quickly to address it. I realize I’m in the weeds, but I think it is very important that every LSC stakeholder understands our biggest issue and how we are addressing it. There’s so much more we are doing: recruiting international nurses, opening our own CNA schools, advocating for immigration reform…. It’s all The LSC Way!
Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas award $314,295 to Wake-area nonprofits The Searstone/Lutheran Services Carolinas Community Benefit Committee recently announced $314,295 in grants to 11 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 Jewish Federation of RaFront row, from left: Elaine Whitford, Executive Director/Center for Volunteer Caregiving; Jennifer leigh-Cary, The Center for Volunteer Caregiving, Paul, Executive Director/Families Together; Allie Ligay, Sales and Marketing Director/Searstone ReResources for Seniors, The Carying Place, Inc., Bridge tirement Community; Andrea Kerley, Community Health Education Programs Coordinator/Inter-Faith Food Shuttle; Leslie Covington, Executive Director/The Carying Place; Barbara Johnson, Board of the Gap Mission, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, FIGS Directors/FIGS of Wake County; Erin Kidd, LSC Director of Communications. Back row: Brian Gould, Board Chair/The Center for Volunteer Caregiving; Joan DeBruin, Searstone; Neely Monemi, Manager of Wake County, Inc., SAFEchild, PLM Families of Grants and Government Contracts/Inter-Faith Food Shuttle; David Wolf, Searstone; Diane Lahti, Together, Note in the Pocket, and Caring Community Board President/FIGS of Wake County; Laura Grelca, Development Director/The Carying Place; Bradford Brady, Executive Director/Caring Community Foundation Foundation. On the cover: Bill and Christy Lynn Anderson are foster parents in LSC’s Transitional Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children program.
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Hollar Scholarship recipients
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SC recently honored three Hollar Scholarship recipients during a reception at Trinity Village. The fund was established in 2011 by Bryce Hollar in memory of his wife, the late Margie Hefner Hollar, and in tribute to the staff of Lutheran Home — Hickory, which is now Trinity Village, who provided care for her in her final years. Later, Bryce expanded the scholarship opportunity to all Lutheran Services Carolinas employees to
empower them to further their education and enhance their abilities to care for those served at LSC. Congratulations to Jessica Mangum and Joshua Stroupe from Trinity Village, and Liz Warner from Trinity Ridge on being selected for these scholarships. After the reception, Trinity Village Life Enrichment Director Sharon Benfield led friends and family in a prayer over the recipients.
LSC launches New Americans Immigration Program
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SC is excited to announce a new program that will provide refugees and immigrants with access to low-cost and pro-bono legal immigration services. The LSC New Americans Immigration Program is available to current LSC clients in North and South Carolina. The program and its teammates will work together with the LSC New Americans Program offices that are in Raleigh, Asheville, and Salisbury, North Carolina and Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Working closely with Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and local faith organizations, these offices welcome refugees and immigrants and help them transition into a new life
and a new culture. “I’m very excited. It’s an affordable service that would be beneficial to the individuals and families we serve,” LSC New Americans Program Columbia Resettlement Director Seth Hershberger said. “We want to offer wrap around, holistic services for our clients.” The LSC New Americans Immigration Program is currently providing legal services with the guidance of several supervising attorneys. It is set to become a United States Department of Justice recognized and accredited organization capable of independently providing legal services in the new fiscal year. Some of the services will include helping
clients secure their green cards (permanent resident cards), applying for asylum, and helping them bring their families to the United States. “We’ve got so many clients coming in that need legal assistance,” Hershberger said. “With this program, instead of paying attorneys, we have been approved to provide the assistance ourselves.” “I am grateful for the diligent work of Seth and the team to make this dream a reality for the New Americans Program,” LSC New Americans Executive Director Matt Hembree said. “We are excited for the possibilities of what is to come with this fabulous program that will benefit those in need that we serve every day.” W I N T E R 2 02 3
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LEADERSHIP
CHANGES
Stephanie Herrin-Huneycutt
Todd Gabriel
Cissy McCoy
SC is happy to announce four exciting leadership changes. Congratulations to Stephanie Herrin-Huneycutt who has been named LSC’s director of operational initiatives. Herrin-Huneycutt has 25 years of experience in the field of long-term care, where she has worked with seniors in various settings such as community alternative living programs, assisted living communities, and long-term care facilities. As a licensed nursing home administrator and licensed assisted living administrator for over 20 years, she has gained extensive knowledge and expertise in the field. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Herrin-Huneycutt served as the administrator at Trinity Place in Albemarle, North Carolina for five years. In her new position, her primary focus is on business development for new communities and the growth of existing ones. She is also responsible for evaluating and developing new partnerships to support LSC’s vision and mission for its senior communities. Outside of work, she cherishes spending time with her husband, three grown children, and two adorable
grandsons. Stephanie and her family love being outdoors, engaging in activities like kayaking and hiking. Todd Gabriel was named administrator of Trinity Place to fill Herrin-Huneycutt’s former role. Gabriel attended East Carolina University where he received a bachelor’s degree in applied sociology and a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in healthcare administration. Gabriel’s long-term care experience includes skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, independent living facilities, and adult day centers. His passion for serving others comes from his family. He said they gave him the traits and tools to serve passionately and proudly each day. Congratulations to Cissy McCoy who has been named executive director of operations for Forsyth County senior services. McCoy was formerly the administrator of Trinity Glen. In her new role, Cissy is responsible for direct oversight of all senior services operations in Forsyth County. This includes Trinity Glen and the Trinity Elms campus (health & rehab, assisted living, and independent
living). McCoy has been with LSC since 2008 at Trinity Glen. She has many years of experience as an administrator in North Carolina. She has served on many committees at the state and local level in the healthcare field, including on the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association Board of Directors and Healthcare Industry Professionals Serving Seniors Board of Directors in
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Logan Wilmouth
Teammate Services A new resource for all LSC
Pictured left to right are Teammate Services members Cora Ingle, Shanon Ford, Susan Ward, Mary Beth Lemly, and Cierra Smith.
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n March of 2021, LSC embarked on a new approach to help its senior living communities with the recruiting process of new employees. The onboarding office, known at that time as Trinity Support Team, was created to give this support and quickly assessed the need for LSC teammates that could travel to help communities in temporary situations. Comprised of RNs, LPNs, CNAs, environmental services, and dining services teammates, Trinity Support Team successfully became part of the LSC landscape. In 2022 and 2023, additional onboarding specialists were added due to the level of daily recruiting and applicant processing.
The onboarding office was renamed to Teammate Services to enhance the level of support that could be given to all LSC teammates. Teammate Services is now embarking on providing the same recruiting and support services to child and family services as well as all other LSC programs! Teammate Services will expand into being a point of contact for general questions that teammates may have; assisting them in getting to the right resource to meet their needs, helping with career growth and movement within our organization, and facilitating the process to recruit international nurses and CNAs to the United States.
“LSC realized early on the workforce crisis was approaching, and quickly addressed the need to assist internally in recruiting and hiring. The idea of creating a Teammate Services division became a reality and has proven to be a large part of LSC’s success, including not using agency/contract staffing even during the toughest times!,” LSC Chief Operating Officer Kesha Smith said. “The Teammate Services team has grown and evolved into a very valuable resource meeting the needs and assisting with building stronger teams within LSC.” LSC wants each teammate to feel that they have a point of contact for questions, support, and general guidance.
Forsyth County. Prior to becoming an administrator, she worked as an activities director. She attended Northeast Louisiana University where she obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She lives in Kernersville with her husband Kevin and three pups: Trixie, Chester, and Sienna. She has one beautiful daughter Meagan, who also
enjoys working in healthcare. Her hobbies include reading, knitting, and crocheting. Logan Wilmouth was named administrator at Trinity Glen to fill McCoy’s former role. Wilmouth is from Elizabeth City, North Carolina and has a bachelor’s degree in public health and a master’s in public health with a concentration in healthcare ad-
ministration from East Carolina University. Wilmouth said Trinity Glen is very special to her because it’s where she began her journey to becoming a nursing home administrator. “Coming back to Trinity Glen has felt like coming back home, as I am surrounded by many familiar faces,” Wilmouth said. W I N T E R 2 02 3
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TRAILBLAZERS E
Secure Act 2.0 leads to new gift opportunity
d and Kathy Ruse are trailblazers in how they support LSC. The couple was motivated to make a planned gift to the nonprofit because of Ed Ruse’s experience as a teammate in the LSC New Americans Program.
From 2011 through 2015, he worked with refugee families out of LSC’s Raleigh office where he specialized in English as a second language (ESL), school enrollment, job placement, vocational job training, personal finance training and donations. Before and
after his time with LSC, Ed Ruse served as a volunteer on a variety of refugee resettlement projects with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Raleigh. Since retiring, Kathy and Ed have contributed annually to LSC through the LSC Shep-
herd Society, mainly using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from Ed’s Traditional IRA. With this year’s gift, they passed the $50,000 threshold to become Lifetime Shepherd Society members and joined the company of LSC Golden Staff donors. When they recently learned about the changes to the Secure Act 2.0, the couple made a Charitable Gift Annuity of $50,000 and designated LSC as the remainder beneficiary, specifically the For The Children Endowment, part of LSC’s Be The Light campaign. This gift is the first of its kind for LSC. “It was simply to give back to Lutheran Services Carolinas in repayment for the privilege of over 4 years of most fulfilling employment in the resettling of refugees from many nations and cultures and working alongside an exceptional LSC team of professional colleagues and volunteers,” Ed Ruse said. “We both hope that, in time, our gift will make a difference in the lives of many refugee children,” Kathy Ruse added. The For The Children Endowment will help LSC meet the future needs of children in North Carolina through innovative programs and services. Annual earnings from the endowment will be used to support services for children where they are needed most.
What is the SECURE Act 2.0? Thanks to the SECURE Act 2.0, signed into law on December 29, 2022, some donors are now able to make a one-time Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from a traditional IRA to a split-interest entity, such as a charitable gift annuity. Under current tax law, a donor 70.5 years or older may donate $100,000 per year to qualifying charities from the donor’s IRA. This kind of distribution could be used to satisfy the donor’s required minimum distribution (RMD) and would likely not be recognized as income to the donor. In addition, it would not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction.
So, what’s new in SECURE 2.0?
A donor 70.5 or older can now transfer a QCD of up to $50,000 from a traditional IRA to a “split-interest entity” that will pay a fixed percentage for life to the donor and/or donor’s spouse. This split-interest entity could be a charitable remainder unitrust (CRUT), charitable remainder annuity trust (CRAT), or charitable gift annuity (CGA). While a transfer of this kind would not qualify for a charitable contribution deduction, it also would not cause the donor to recognize income on the distribution, but it could allow the donor to satisfy all or part of the donor’s RMD (now required beginning at age 73). Payments received by the donor or donor’s spouse
under the annuity would be taxable as ordinary income. The taxpayer may only make this transfer during one tax year for a maximum of $50,000. An ultimate charitable beneficiary (like Lutheran Services Carolinas) would be named to receive the remaining balance at the death of the donor, or the second death if spouses are both named as income recipients. When Ed and Kathy Ruse heard about this concept from a postcard mailing from LSC in early 2023, they were intrigued and decided to implement a CGA with their QCD from an IRA, to ultimately benefit LSC. “We hope that in talking about our experience with this attractive approach to charitable giving, others in our financial position may join us in using it to give to Lutheran Services Carolinas as well,” the couple said.
A beautiful tribute The Ruses made this gift in honor of their mothers, Margaret Weise Ruse and Dorothy I. Carroll. Ed Ruse’s mother Margaret Ruse, who passed away in June 2006, was a lifelong Lutheran who often and strongly encouraged him to pursue a life of service. A teacher of German and Spanish in the Houston Independent School District, she also instilled in him an appreciation of all things international. Dorothy Carroll, Kathy Ruse’s mother, had a heart for children and her willingness to give was manifested in over 20 years of volunteer work with the local clinic, where among other things, she crafted 41,000 finger puppets to cheer up children who had just received an injection or a blood draw. She passed away earlier this year, and for much of those last months, worried about the children of Ukraine, and donated to the World Central Kitchen. Anything that can ease the lives of endangered or challenged children and their families would please her immensely, Kathy Ruse said. “We appreciate so much what you have done for us, as a teammate and this way. It’s just a light for others,” LSC President and CEO Ted Goins said to Ed and Kathy Ruse after the gift was made. “I was always amazed at your calm leadership in everything you did for us out of the Raleigh office. This is just the icing on the cake to set an example for others. You continue to lead in another way, and we can’t thank you enough for that.” To learn more about making a planned gift to LSC, contact LSC Development Officer Rev. Tennyson Shifley at 704-6518660 or tshifley@LSCarolinas.net. This is not an exhaustive review of this Planned Giving technique. Be sure to consult with your legal, tax, and financial advisors regarding this concept before implementing.
Brown walks around Lake Murray to support LSC New Americans Program
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on Brown can’t sit still. Even in his retirement he loves to walk, especially when it’s for a cause. In 2019 the retired pastor walked from Newberry College to Salisbury, North Carolina to raise funds for LSC’s Love One Another campaign. This year, at the age of 70, he decided to make the 60-mile trek around Lake Murray in South Carolina to spread the word and gain support for the LSC New Americans Program. “I learned about the program online. I had been wanting to do another walk around Lake Murray for something, and I decided this was it,” Brown said. “My dad was in the Air Force. I knew what it was like to move a lot and look for acceptance in a new community. I guess I’ve always had a heart for people who are new to anywhere.” Brown began walking for fun and exercise with his wife, Kathy, and eventually decided Sarah Lewis, teammate in our LSC New he would try to walk from West Columbia, Americans Program in Columbia, SC, South Carolina to Kathy’s mother’s house as came out to meet and thank Brown for a challenge. The house was 25 miles away. his support at one of his stops. He made it 20 miles before he had to quit. But he kept working and building up walk was for Hispanic ministries in the stamina, and eventually came up with the South Carolina Synod. Then he walked The idea to walk for different causes. His first Palmetto Trail to raise awareness and funds
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for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. “When I do these things, I usually drive the route I’m going to hike so I know what to expect. Then I figure out mileage and contact congregations to let them know what I’m doing. Usually when they know I’m doing something worthwhile, they are willing to provide hospitality,” Brown said. “Some have even invited me to come inside and give a donation.” As he was walking around Lake Murray, Brown said he thought about the trek that many refugees make after they are forced to leave their homes. “I was thinking that at least I have a destination. At the end of each day, I knew where I was going, I had shelter and food,” Brown said. “A lot of those folks who are refugees, they walk like that and at the end of the day they don’t know what is waiting.” Before he finished his last 5 miles, Brown stopped at Derrick Community Center in Little Mountain, South Carolina where he led a devotion and sang this song that he wrote about refugees. “Let’s welcome them today. Provide a place to stay. Help them to find a way. Let’s welcome them,” Brown sang.
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Trinity Ridge celebrates anniversary
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rinity Ridge recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. Teammates said they are blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people. During the celebration, the team talked about LSC’s mission statement several times; “Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.” “We truly do walk together at Trinity Ridge where our teammates have touched the lives of countless individuals and families in our community. It is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and optimism for the years ahead,” Administrator Hannah Huffman said. Huffman added that in these 10 years, Trinity Ridge has been more than just a senior living facility; it has been a second home for many. It’s a place where the bonds of friendship have been forged, where laughter and tears have been shared, and where hope has been rekindled.
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“Part of our life” Bill and Christy Lynn Anderson have a desire to help vulnerable children
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ill and Christy Lynn Anderson have a heart for children and those who are vulnerable. That desire to help led them to a decision to foster to adopt a couple of years ago. But after not having much luck with finding a placement, the couple decided to pivot and become foster parents in LSC’s Transitional Foster Care for Unaccompanied Children Program after seeing a post about it on Facebook. “When we signed up at DSS (South Carolina Department of Social Services) we originally didn’t want to be foster parents.
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We didn’t want to get attached to children and give them back,” Christy Lynn Anderson said. “With LSC it was fostering, but it was such a short time, and the kids are going to good places when they leave us. We decided it would be a good fit and less of a stress on our family as well since our kids are teen and pre-teen age.” Unaccompanied children are minors under the age of 18 who are not in the care of a parent or legal guardian and lack immigration status. They make the treacherous journey to the United States in hopes of reuniting with family members. Most of
the children come from Central America, predominantly Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. Because of their undocumented status, they are sometimes placed in detention centers or other shelter-like facilities. LSC’s Transitional Foster Care, which operates in the Columbia, South Carolina, area, offers these children placement in a much more welcoming and loving setting with foster families. During this transitional period of 20 to 90 days, the children live in the home with their foster family and attend a school
LSC receives $297,000 grant to assist hurricane survivors
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SC is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $297,000 grant from Lutheran Disaster Response to support the nonprofit’s ongoing efforts to assist hurricane survivors in North and South Carolina. This grant will play a crucial role in providing much-needed relief to survivors of Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Ian. Hurricane Florence approached the North Carolina coast and made landfall near Wrightsville Beach on September 14, 2018, with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph. After landfall, Florence moved farther inland across South Carolina. Torrential rain continued for days, causing historic flooding across large portions of eastern North Carolina and some areas in South Carolina. Many areas heavily damaged by flooding during
Hurricane Matthew in 2016 were devastated once again during Florence. Within the stronger rain bands dozens of tornado touchdowns were confirmed by the National Weather Service. After devastating Florida, Hurricane Ian made its final landfall near Georgetown, South Carolina on September 30, 2022, as a category 1 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds as high as 85 mph pushed a threeto-six-foot storm surge onshore damaging homes and businesses along the coast of northeastern South Carolina and southeastern North Carolina. LSC has been working in affected communities assisting with disaster case management and recovery and rebuilding efforts since 2016. Many survivors in eastern North and
South Carolina who have endured multiple hurricanes are still living in dire housing conditions that compromise their health and safety. These grant funds will be used over an 18-month period to address the unmet needs of at least 270 survivor households. This could include support with building materials, housing deposits, furniture, temporary shelter assistance, appliances, or any unmet need that is a direct result of a hurricane. “We would like to express our deep gratitude to Lutheran Disaster Response for their generous support,” LSC Disaster Response Assistant Director Ilham Thurston said. “Their investment in our mission will have a lasting impact on the lives of hurricane survivors and their communities.”
sponsored by LSC. A developmentally appropriate curriculum is offered on-site by a certified teacher who will help them with English, acculturation, and transitioning in the public school system upon their release from the LSC program. The Andersons live in Blythewood, South Carolina. Bill Anderson is a teacher and Christy Lynn Anderson works for an insurance agency. Since starting with the program in August 2022, the couple have had three placements and served as respite parents for two more. They say all the children have been fun and exciting.
“I’ve enjoyed the whole process. We take them to the store to get clothes, then take them to school and they meet their teacher and classmates. They just become part of our life for that time period,” Bill Anderson said. “We give little picture books to each kid as they leave, and we keep one as well. They know they can look back and remember their time with us.” Christy Lynn Anderson said that if someone is on the fence about foster care, then this program is perfect. “It’s the easiest way to foster because you know it’s probably only going to last two
weeks. You do really bond with them, but you know they are going to a good place so it’s easier to let go of them,” she said. “And they go to school every day, so you have people (LSC teammates) to communicate with daily. They are there to support us.” “I firmly believe that we are serving in a great place. I don’t know how to put it into words, but this is something we both feel is good to do, and to see the pictures and the videos of the children being reunified with family is just so neat,” Bill Anderson added. “It’s just a wonderful way to serve a population that needs it.”
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.
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SC recently held an open house and ribbon-cutting for its new Day Services for Youth Program in Columbia, South Carolina. Through a partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the program offers foster youth a safe place to learn and grow during the day. The program is in a renovated space at Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia, South Carolina. The church has been an integral partner of LSC over the years and provides space for the LSC New Americans Program Columbia office. LSC President Ted Goins welcomed attendees and provided an overview of the nonprofit, and LSC Executive Director of Community and Rehabilitative Services Bethany Vause shared program specifics, introduced teammates, and thanked our partners for their support. Other speakers included Emily Medere, deputy state director with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, and Ben Bullock with Reformation Lutheran Church. “I cannot say enough good things about this program. It was an ask that came out of an urgent situation, something we really needed a solution for. Being the amazing partners that they are, LSC just took it and ran with it,” Medere said. “This program has been a Godsend for our staff and for our youth.” South Carolina Synod Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Emily Hartmann provided a prayer and dedication of the program space. Also, a big thank you to Janet Lockhart and the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Foundation for the donation to the program.
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LSC holds open house for Day Services for Youth Program
Assistant Director of Nursing Diane Strong is pictured with a graduating class of the program. She plans to hold graduation ceremonies at the end of each class.
LSC launches CNA training class to combat staffing shortages
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taffing shortages are a problem across the country and LSC is not immune. Recently, the nonprofit came up with a creative way to help fill vacant certified nursing assistants (CNA) positions by giving teammates the opportunity to become certified while they work. Earlier this year, Trinity Grove in Wilmington, North Carolina was the pilot for the Nurse Aide I Training Program that has now been expanded to several of LSC’s senior living communities. This North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services program is designed to provide entry level nurse aide students with nurse aide skills essential for providing resident care under the general supervision of a registered nurse (RN). The class at Trinity Grove is led by Assistant Director of Nursing Diane Strong. She
created the curriculum and began her first 4-week classes in January 2023. “They can have no experience at all, and we bring them in and teach them everything they need to know to pass their certification exam,” Strong said. “A lot of people want a career in the medical field and are excited about this.” The best thing about the program is that CNA hopefuls do the coursework at Trinity Grove while they are working as resident care assistants. So, they don’t have to worry about juggling work and attending classes at the local community college, and they are bringing in a paycheck. There’s also a built-in benefit for the senior living community. Once the CNA is certified, they are required to work there for at least one year or pay back the cost of the class.
“I’m very excited about the program. I think it’s the answer to our lack of staffing,” Strong said. “Morale has gone up. It’s a winwin situation. If they want to work toward becoming a nurse and they don’t have the money to go to a community college, it’s just win for them.” Along with Trinity Grove, Trinity Place and Trinity Village have started the program and celebrated graduating classes with the help of LSC’s Teammate Services. “Trinity Grove pioneered this class and developed the curriculum. Now we have carried on their efforts to other communities,” LSC’S Vice President of Teammate Services Mary Beth Lemly said. “We can’t wait to see it continue to be successful across the state.” LSC hopes to have classes up and running in all of its senior living communities by the end of 2023. W I N T E R 2 02 3
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Paint the Campus Purple Alzheimer’s Walk The Paint the Campus Purple Alzheimer’s Walk at Trinity Oaks was a success. It was held on the Summer Solstice on June 20. The Alzheimer’s Association encourages groups to hold events on The Longest Day to bring awareness to the disease. Participants walked through the building with purple balloons and decorated the tree with ribbons in memory/honor of friends and family who battled the progressive disease.
Huffman selected as national, future leader Hannah Huffman, administrator of Trinity Ridge in Hickory, has been chosen by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a national, future leader in long term and post-acute care. Huffman will join AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders program, a year-long program that offers training and guidance for industry professionals. “I want to extend my sincerest congratulations to Hannah and our new class of Future Leaders,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “These individuals have distinguished themselves with the potential to guide long term care into the future, and I am excited to watch this class grow into the profession’s leaders of tomorrow.” AHCA/NCAL developed the Future 14
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year-long program kicks off with the “Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America” Symposium held each year in Washington, D.C.
Leaders program in 2004. Selected participants demonstrate both leadership potential and represent the interests of state and national long term care providers. The program covers the latest theories and practical applications in quality management, customer satisfaction, and leadership. The
ABOUT AHCA/NCAL The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) represents more than 14,500 non-profit and proprietary skilled nursing centers, assisted living communities, sub-acute centers and homes for individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. By delivering solutions for quality care, AHCA/NCAL aims to improve the lives of the millions of frail, elderly and individuals with disabilities who receive long term or post-acute care in our member facilities each day. For more information, please visit www. ahcancal.org.
Trinity Living Center annual Sock Hop
Trinity Living Center had a blast at its annual Sock Hop. And this year came with a special guest, Elvis! The King of Rock and Roll, also known as LSC Chief Financial Officer Kirby Nickerson, made a surprise visit and performed some of his classics. The Sock Hop also included dancing and a drag race.
Trinity Oaks health and rehab receives $1,000 grant Trinity Oaks health and rehab received a $1,000 grant from the First United Church of Christ Foundation for a specialized wheelchair. Field trips and outdoor excursions are integral to providing a rich and vibrant life for residents beyond the walls of the senior living community. The Freedom Chair will allow teammates to easily transport residents with mobility issues across rough outdoor terrain such as paths, beaches, and parks. One of the most anticipated outings of the year is the community’s annual beach trip. The chair has an aircraft grade aluminum frame, a weatherproof polyester seat, and special wheels that can handle sand, snow, or stairs. The chair can accommodate up to 400 pounds and can fold flat for easy transport. Tim Cornelison, administrator of Trinity Oaks health and rehab, is pictured during a church service that honored all the grant recipients. W I N T E R 2 02 3
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“Empowered by Christ, we walk together with all we serve.”
Open House for New Americans Program LSC celebrated the LSC New Americans Program Salisbury team during the open house and reception at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, North Carolina in August. LSC has helped over 15,000 refugees start a new life in the U.S. since 1980. Along with Salisbury, LSC has offices in Raleigh and Asheville, North Carolina and Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Wyatt Dunlap, program director for the Salisbury office, also shared ways the community can get involved by creating a Circle of Welcome, and LSC Chief Development Officer Heidi Rixman spoke about ways to donate and create Welcome Kits for the new arrivals. The Salisbury office opened in St. John’s in May 2023 and has since served 19 families. For more information, you can email Dunlap at wdunlap@ lscarolinas.net or visit https://lscarolinas.net/refugee-and-immigrantservices/.
Pictured left to right are: LSC Board Chair Greg Hudgins, LSC Reception and Placement Case Manager Breanna Hagerott, LSC Employment Specialist Dawn Ranes, LSC President and CEO Ted Goins, LSC Community Engagement Coordinator Quinn Rizzo, LSC New Americans Program Executive Director Matt Hembree, and Salisbury Program Director Wyatt Dunlap.
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 Erin Kidd, director of communications. Questions or comments should be directed to Erin Kidd at ekidd@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