Congratulations to the following employees who reach major milestones
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Employee Anniversaries: Summer 2013
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Author Archives: Liberty Lutheran
Congrats Core Comp Graduates! (Photos & Video!)
Paul’s Run played host to a special graduation ceremony of sorts on Thursday, June 13th. 30 employees from across the Liberty Lutheran Family of Services “graduated” from Core Competency Training.
Graduates wore invisible caps and gowns and big smiles as they marched into the dining room at Paul’s Run, before a small crowd of co-workers and supervisors there to support them.
Fathers: Your Children Need You
LCFS Foster Care Case Manager Rick Taylor and his daughters, Morgan and Simone.
Written By – Richard Taylor, LCFS Foster Care Case Manager
“Fathers are far more than just ‘second adults’ in the home. Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring.” -Dr. David Popenoe, Sociologist
Father’s Day falls on June 16 this year, a time to gather for dinner, give dad the routine neck tie gift, and honor his contributions to fatherhood. But for many families it will just be another day of the week. Unfortunately, many of homes today are absent of fathers, giving no reason for celebration on a day to honor dads. As Father’s Day approaches, I want to reflect on the importance of two-parent households and how the role of fatherhood impacts a child – particularly through my experiences in the foster care system.
Mary J Drexel Transformation Underway! (Photos & Video)
For the last 150 years, Mary J Drexel on Belmont Avenue in Bala Cynwyd has been a symbol of excellence for the nursing care of older adults. It joined the Liberty Lutheran Family of Services in 2008 and today is in midst of a major transformation that will allow for a new model for care and community life for older adults at this historic site.
Crews are hard at work these days to turn the property into a state-of-the-art Assisted Living Community. The former nursing home and cottage were demolished in the spring of 2012. Dave DeLuca, Director of Real Estate for Liberty Lutheran, said they were able to get some materials in the ground before the winter and then battled through the cold and freezing weather to lay the foundation before spring.
“Every day it wasn’t snowing, we were here working on the rock and working on the foundation pieces,” DeLuca explained.
Senior Health & Wellness Focus of Liberty Events
Senior Health and Wellness took center stage at several events within Liberty Lutheran’s Family of Services during the last week of May.
The Village of Penn State (VPS,) in State College, PA, recognized National Senior Health and Wellness Day on May 29th. 40 residents of the senior community started off the action-packed day with a putting clinic and contest ran by the PSU Golf coach. The residents also participated in some outdoor games such as corn hole, ladder ball, hula hooping, and badminton. They enjoyed a healthy outdoor picnic lunch, followed by “make-your-own-healthy-trail-mix” buffet.
Liberty’s Lunchtime Fiesta – Video & Photos!
Rhythmic beats, laughter and applause traversed the 3rd floor of Liberty Lutheran’s Whitemarsh office building. Employees cheered and danced, while band members happily played their instruments. The lunchtime fiesta was courtesy of Alberto Pagan Ramirez, a musician and teacher from Instituto Puertorriqueno de Musica, or the Puerto Rican Institute of Music, in Philadelphia. He was accompanied by some of his students who entertained with traditional Puerto Rican music.
Intergenerational Prom: Senior Citizens & High School Seniors
The scene was set for a senior prom in West Philadelphia Tuesday morning. Guests arrived in sequined gowns, colorful party dresses, suits and tuxedoes. The room was decorated with balloons and signs, and a table was stocked with food and refreshments.
“They love to dance and to dress up,” said Alicia Conquest-Bulgin of her students from the School of the Future.
But this party wasn’t just for high school seniors. It was also for senior citizens at the West Philadelphia Senior Community Center. The West Philly Senior Center hosted its first Intergenerational Prom on May 28th.
“We want to let them know we support them and let them show off their prom attire” said Julia Diggs, who helped organize the event on behalf of the West Philly Center. Continue reading
Staying Connected: It’s Good for Your Health
By Dana O’Donnell, RN
It’s a fact of life. As we age, our energy levels decrease and our bodies are just not as mobile as they used to be. But the older we get, the more important it is to stay connected to friends, family and neighbors, especially for older people who are living alone.
Staying connected is good for your health. New studies suggest that socializing may be just as important for seniors as physical activity. Researchers found that an active social lifestyle helps older people maintain a sharp mind, increase feelings of happiness and develop a sense of belonging. Having people you can turn to for company and support helps prevent loneliness, depression and hardship. But staying in touch with a few family members or a caregiver may not be adequate socialization. Experts say true social interaction means participating in activities and engaging with others, primarily peers. Continue reading
LCFS Receives $220,000 in Grants for Refugee Programs
Great news for Lutheran Children and Family Service! LCFS, a service of Liberty Lutheran, is the recipient of two grants totaling $220,000 that will be used to support its programs benefiting refugees in the Greater Philadelphia area.
“These grants will be instrumental in allowing LCFS to continue provide vital programs and services to hundreds of refugee children and their families who have suffered unimaginable trauma in their home countries,” said Peter Gottemoller, Director, Child Welfare Programs, Lutheran Children and Family Service.
Moore, Oklahoma Tornado: How You Can Help (Updated)
Moore, Oklahoma, and other communities in that state have been devastated by deadly and destructive tornados this spring. The stories and pictures are filled with heart-wrenching suffering and heart-warming resilience. The stories also point to our own feelings of helplessness in these times, whether from our inability to find our loved ones amidst the chaos, or not knowing how to demonstrate support for the victims.
Liberty Lutheran assists with disaster response efforts in 24 counties of Eastern Pennsylvania through its service known as Lutheran Disaster Response-Eastern PA (Which serves as a local affiliate for the national LDR organization.)
We have compiled the following information that will serve as a guide on how you can support the victims and recovery efforts in Oklahoma.