Snider

C. Mitchell Snider has been named executive director of Hoffman Homes for Youth in Gettysburg, Pa. He assumed his new responsibilities on July 1.

Snider has been employed at Hoffman Homes since 1978, starting as a live-in youth care worker with his wife, Gail, just 10 days after they were married. Since that time, he has served in various capacities, including case manager, assistant director of residential services, director of finance and, most recently, associate director. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University and a master of business administration from Mount Saint Mary’s University.

Founded in 1910, Hoffman Homes for Youth is currently celebrating its 100th anniversary.  Snider is the organization’s third executive director since 1960, following the tenures of Gerald Hagmayer (1960-1996) and George Sepic (1997-2010). Commenting on his appointment, Snider said, “I hope that I can continue to provide the stability that was demonstrated by Jerry and George. I learned a lot from both of them.”

Hoffman Homes also has announced the appointment of Michael A. Stonesifer as director of operations and Alicia Stanley as director of development.

Stonesifer, who has 30 years of administrative experience in for-profit business, will oversee safety, maintenance, grounds, custodial, food services, purchasing and technology.

Stanley has a degree in business administration with a strong focus on marketing and will develop special events, fundraising and annual giving programs.

Learn more about Hoffman Homes for Youth here.

Hoyleton Youth and Family Services and its affiliates, Puentes de Esperanza and Hoyleton Children’s Home Foundation, now operate as independent nonprofit, faith-based entities.

Lifelink, located in Bensenville, Ill., and Hoyleton Youth and Family Services (HYFS), located in Hoyleton, Ill., were both founded as homes for children in 1895 as separate ministries of the German Evangelical Church, a forerunner of today’s United Church of Christ. The two organizations began their affiliation in July 1999 in a move that strengthened both organizations financially and operationally.

Lifelink is taking the strategic step of divesting some of its programs, including Hoyleton, to focus on providing affordable housing services in Illinois, Missouri and Florida. This will strengthen Lifelink and allow it to expand its housing services to meet the tremendous need for those programs.

As a result of this disaffiliation, Cox has been appointed the president and CEO of HYFS and its affiliates. “We are excited to have the opportunity to continue our legacy of providing for the needs of children and families in Southwestern Illinois, and look forward to serving them for many years to come,” Cox said.

Hoyleton Children’s Home remains at the core of HYFS’s services. From its beginnings as an orphanage, the home has evolved into a residential treatment facility for youths experiencing developmental disabilities and exhibiting behavioral disorders. Hoyleton’s other services include: Foster Care, the Seeds of Success Family Advocacy program, Transitional Housing and Life Skills Training for homeless families, Community Integrated Living Arrangements, Counseling, and Project Safe Date.

As an HYFS affiliate, Puentes de Esperanza serves a growing Hispanic community in Southwestern Illinois, with services that include Outreach and Advocacy, Head Start for Migrant and Seasonal families, Domestic Violence Prevention, its Women’s Health Initiative, and its Teen REACH after-school program. The Hoyleton Children’s Home Foundation exists to develop the resources needed to support and further the ministries of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services and Puentes de Esperanza.

“Lifelink is honored to have served jointly with Hoyleton for eleven years and knows Hoyleton is well  positioned to continue its 115-year history of ministry serving vulnerable children and families,” Rhodes said.

For more information on Lifelink’s affordable housing programs, contact Lifelink at 630-766-3570.

For more information on Hoyleton’s ministries, contact Hoyleton at 618-493-7382.

“We at Evangelical Homes of Michigan were looking around the CHHSM member ministries to determine if there was an affinity group of leaders within the organization to get together and share best practices,” she says.

Not surprisingly, a number of other senior living executives among CHHSM’s 71 corporate members had been thinking the same thing. Two of them were Steve Jaberg, CEO of Cedar Community in West Bend, Wis.; and Bob Anderson, CEO of Horizon House in Seattle, Wash.

“My role in getting it started was that way out on the West Coast I really don’t have a lot of CHHSM colleagues nearby, so frankly I’ve been only remotely involved in CHHSM during my 11 years at Horizon House,” Anderson says. “This was an attempt to connect with peers where each of us has made a commitment to generating collaboration strategies that would be really meaningful professionally and organizationally. So far this has indeed been the case.”

Through Jaberg and Anderson’s initiative, leaders of eight organizations formed what is being called the Senior Living Think Tank.

“The group is designed to help these care providers share non-financial resources and best practices to benefit all our organizations,” Jaberg says.

The group held its first meeting in Chicago in January and has met three more times since then, with the most recent meeting held Aug. 24.

So far, discussions have ranged across a variety of topics, from a guest exchange concept for residents of CHHSM-related continuing care retirement communities to an information-sharing network for senior care service providers.

“Cedar Community is uniquely positioned to leverage this network of resources,” Jaberg says. “It makes perfect sense for United Church of Christ retirement communities to work together to find ways to enhance our services to residents and others.”

For Scott R. Stevenson, president and CEO of Phoebe Ministries in Allentown, Pa., much of the think tank’s value comes from its grassroots start among individual executives. “The thought process really developed by us saying, “Isn’t there a way, since we’re all in similar industries, to partner and work together to enhance the benefits to our local communities as well as other organizations?”

Stevenson says an additional benefit is the geographic spread of the group. “I think that diversity is a key part of our current success and will be as we move forward,” he says. “Having that connection – me in Pennsylvania being able to call someone in Washington state and see how they handled challenges – is a blessing.”

For Rabidoux, who shared at the group’s August meeting her organization’s innovative “CCRC without walls” concept, joining the think tank is an opportunity to explore with peers larger visions of what CHHSM members can do collaboratively.

Among those ideas is what Jaberg refers to as the Passport to Travel program, which would allow residents at CHHSM-related retirement communities to “time-share” accommodations at other communities across the country.

“That’s something that individually our organizations would struggle with operationally, but when we get at a table and ideas are being shared and we’re gathered together as executives running faith-based organizations, the opportunities get greater,” Rabidoux says.

Jaberg and other think tank participants want to bring more members into the discussions, broaden the knowledge and resource base, and explore how ideas and solutions apply not just to senior care but all of CHHSM’s member organizations.

“I would hope that the think tank would grow to include other CEOs. And let’s get other people in the communities involved,” Stevenson says. “This could be pretty significant for CHHSM in the long run.”

The Senior Living Think Tank will hold its next meeting Nov. 7-8 in Cleveland. Interested leaders should contact CHHSM CEO Bryan Sickbert at 866-822-8224 ext. 2253.

Lifelink CEO Tim Rhodes (left) and Eric Woods, director of facilities management and purchasing, review plans for the agency's green initiative.

The federal stimulus program aims to spur spending, but at CHHSM member Lifelink, a nonprofit provider of affordable housing for seniors and disabled adults, some of those dollars are being invested to cut spending on energy costs.

Lifelink has received a $3 million federal grant to improve the “green” aspects of five of its communities, two in Florida, two in Chicago and one in Kansas City. The properties range in size from 24 to 80 apartments.

Starting in September, the funds will support an 11-month effort to upgrade windows, install new roofing, reduce storm water runoff from parking lots, buy new energy efficient appliances, convert to water-saving toilets, and add rooftop solar energy systems that will power the entire common area of two buildings.

Tim Rhodes, Lifelink’s president and CEO, says of the eventual savings from more energy efficient buildings, “That’s more money we can put into caring for seniors and disabled adults who are in need.”

Based in Oak Brook, Ill., Lifelink currently owns, operates, and provides consulting assistance to 35 affordable housing facilities located in Florida, Illinois and Missouri.

Susan Sinderson, a Lifelink vice president, says of the grant, “The exciting thing is Lifelink has always had a commitment to sustainable building, and this has given us a chance to do energy upgrades that would have taken years of saving up the funds to do it ourselves.”

Other CHHSM nonprofits are making similar innovations.

Pilgrim Place, a senior community in Claremont, Calif., expects to become the first freestanding retirement community in the U.S. to have three of its new buildings become LEED-certified, an internationally recognized green building certification system that stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

In Grand Rapids, Mich., Pilgrim Manor Retirement Community sharply reduced its energy use and carbon footprint by installing 750 compact fluorescent light bulbs and developed a campuswide recycling program in conjunction with the city of Grand Rapids.

At Lifelink, Sinderson says residents welcome changes that will not only save money but also help the environment.

“They say everybody talks about this now, but it’s not new to them,” Sinderson says, “They didn’t grow up in a throwaway world.”

For instance, she notes, residents of one Lifelink property, Greencastle of Bayonet Point in Port Richey, Fla., collect their used cooking oil and donate it for use in municipal vehicles that run on the oil.

While the changes fit with old-time frugality, the grant will affect how Lifelink addresses green issues well into the future, Sinderson said.

The grant requires use of environmentally friendly chemicals and materials and 16 hours annually of staff training focused on energy savings and protecting the environment.

For Rhodes, the grant helps Lifelink take a natural next step.

“We see this as an extension of our ministry with the United Church of Christ,” Rhodes says. “We will be leaders in creating a sustainable environment for persons to participate in and educate others about the necessity and the efficacy of sustainable environments.”

The mission of NADSUAD is to design, improve and sustain state systems delivering home and community-based services and supports for older adults and individuals with disabilities (www.nasua.org).

Engaged with state agencies on aging and disability, Carr’s work currently is focused on implementation of the Affordable Care Act, reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) allocations, and other issues of importance to states.

Carr welcomes the opportunity to continue to be of service to her CHHSM friends engaged in advocacy in their respective states.  She can be reached at Lcarr@nasua.org; or by telephone at 202-898-2578 ext. 139.

Now open for registration, the conference will feature plenary sessions and a selection of workshops ¾ including one particularly for CHHSM leaders ¾ to assist the women and men who steward endowment and other invested assets.

From the Friday night reception to the Saturday afternoon closing, participants will build their skills and investment confidence from presentations and interaction with recognized investment experts.

On Friday evening, Federal Reserve senior advisor and economist Rick Mattoon will deliver a keynote address at the opening dinner, followed on Saturday with two plenary sessions featuring UCF Chief Investment Officer Catherine Waterworth, fiduciary expert Mark Parthemer, and former UCC General Minister and President John Thomas, who will address the theological implications of investing in the contemporary marketplace.Through the day on Saturday, participants will also enjoy their choice of three workshops from a slate of offerings, including:

• Reviewing Asset Allocation, Risk Tolerance & Time Horizon

• Understanding Alternative Investments

• Building Effective Investment Committees

• Engaging Corporate Social Responsibility at UCF

• Refining Endowment & Spending Policies

• Refining Investment Policies

• Raising Funds & Building Endowments

• Investing with the UCC

• Special workshop for CHHSM leaders

“By hosting this conference, we’re responding to many of our investors who want to manage their endowments more effectively,” says United Church Funds President Don Hart.

Open to all, regardless of whether the church or organization invests with United Church Funds, the conference will end at 4 p.m. Oct. 23, in time for 6 p.m. flights home, although those who wish to spend the weekend in Chicago may take advantage of a special bed-and-breakfast rate.

Because United Church Funds is sponsoring the conference, the fee — including one night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at O’Hare Airport, meals and all materials — is just $195 per person ($99 for participants who don’t need a hotel room).

Make your plans today to participate in “Investing Responsibly in Uncertain Times.” Register online at http://www.unitedchurchfunds.org. If you have questions, e-mail United Church Funds at info@unitedchurchfunds.org or call 877-806-4989.

Bryan Sickbert, CHHSM president and CEO, will present the program “Vocation of the Trustee,” an interactive teaching tool that helps boards understand the full scope of their responsibilities and function effectively.

The training will be held at Pilgrim Center in Ripon. Cost is $17. To RSVP, e-mail Liisa Analore at lanalore@wcucc.org by Sept. 10.

When Brooklawn Child & Family Services of Louisville, Ky., needed a new dairy cooler, Vice President and CFO Greg Cardwell-Copenhefer called Mary Necaise at Care Purchasing Services, Inc. for a price on a new unit. After a few hours, the local dairy provider decided it was in the best interest of everyone to provide the cooler at no cost to ensure the dairy products would be safe for the residents. Brooklawn saved hundreds of dollars.

Crossroad of Ft. Wayne, Ind., was very concerned about the stock markets’ effect on the income the agency was able to draw out of its endowment funds. Nelson Murphy, director of investor development for United Church Funds, paid Crossroad a visit and explained the current trends in the markets, the value of asset allocation, socially responsible investing and prudent investment policies that guide spending policy. Several months later, Crossroad transferred a portion of its endowment and reserve funds to UCF. The result? The agency’s leaders are thrilled with the performance and the peace of mind that comes with knowing they have ensured the stability of Crossroad’s future through prudent financial management policies.

When Emmaus Homes of St. Charles, Mo., was approached by a resident’s family about making a legacy gift to her “home” that would provide her some income and leave a remembrance to her community, the organization contacted Lynne Hansen, associate for legacy gifts at the Financial Development Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ. Within a few hours Emmaus had an illustration depicting the entire structure of a gift annuity that met all of the family’s objectives. A week later the gift was made, and everyone can rest assured that all of the terms of the agreement will come to fruition.

Need some more people in your toolbox? Contact Mary Necaise at 800-543-3491 or necaisemary@lcsnet.com; Nelson Murphy at 877-806-4989 or murphyn@unitedchurchfunds.org ); and Lynne Hansen at 800-846-6822 or hansenl@ucc.org. Read the latest Care Purchasing Services newsletter here.

The week of Aug. 23 you will receive an e-mail and a USPS letter with your account number and all of the contact information you need to research products and take advantage of GE’s discount pricing.

Also, remember to offer the GE Employee Purchase Program to your staff.  Position this discount program as a perk of employment. There is no cost to you, and the potential savings are significant.

Rest assured that CHHSM itself vets programs like the GE appliance program. In fact, Mike Readinger, CHHSM’s vice president for business services, saved a considerable sum when purchasing appliances for his own home.

“While in the midst of a home renovation project, my 15-year-old refrigerator died,” Readinger says. “I went to Home Depot and selected a new stainless steel refrigerator at a price of $1,830. As I was about to buy it, I realized that I should try out the GE program and sure enough, it worked. Within 30 minutes I purchased the exact same appliance online for $1,350 inclusive of tax, delivery and a two-year warranty.”

Readinger’s refrigerator was delivered and installed two days later. Subsequent online shopping revealed what Readinger would have had to pay for other appliances: a matching stainless steel dishwasher ($425), microwave oven ($195) and oven ($495) for a total of $1,115 before tax, delivery and warranties. But the GE price was just under $900, inclusive of tax, delivery and warranty.

“The GE program saved me more than $1,000!” he says.

Still unsure? Give Readinger a call at 866-822-8224 ext. 2258.