At Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove, there’s been no shortage of improvements across the community, including a fresh coat of paint on all the building exteriors. A few even have a new roof! It’s safe to say our residents’ favorite upgrade, however, has been the new self-serve coffee machine. Additionally, residents who pride themselves on having a green thumb are already looking toward the spring. They planted more than 200 daffodils, mini daffodils, and narcissus bulbs, as well as plenty of poppy seeds. We’re excited to see the results!

In Palo Alto, Webster House residents continue to foster growth and exploration. From new exercise options like Tai Chi and Qi Gong to stretching, toning, and weight classes, we’re staying fit and on our game! Our Superfood Cart has been rolling to residents’ doors throughout the year, sharing new healthy snacks each month. We’ve resumed our monthly lunch outings and, in December, we’ll be headed to the theater to see a performance of It’s a Wonderful Life. With everything from TED talks and meditation workshops to virtual outings through our Well Connected Museums at Home tours, we’ve got plenty to talk about and look forward to as 2022 rolls in.

At San Francisco Towers, our residents are exploring our new online resident portal to build connections and community digitally. We’re also celebrating the return of happy hours, social mixers, and performing arts outings. We celebrated our 24^th anniversary at the beginning of November, were recognized by US News and World Report in the elite 13% of high performing properties in 2021-22 Best Nursing Homes rankings, and construction is moving ahead for our new Memory Care neighborhood opening in Spring 2022. The future promises continued excitement and activity!

At St. Paul’s Towers, it truly has been a year of growth as a community. We also marked our 55^th anniversary as a Life Plan community in the East Bay, offering a wide range of care levels to meet the evolving needs of our residents. For the holidays, we’ve been reflecting on the meaning of Christmas through our Advent series, and we enjoyed our Chanukah candle lighting ceremony accompanied by songs, stories, and refreshments. In addition to our spiritual events, residents love socializing at our annual Christmas tree lighting party. And we are all looking forward to celebrating New Year’s Eve at another get-together.

At Spring Lake Village in Santa Rosa, being able to come together for in-person activities and outings once again has been one of the highlights of our year. In the spirit of the holidays, we’ve put up our beautifully decorated Tree of Hope in the lobby, which puts a smile on the faces of many residents. On December 8^th, new and long-time residents were delighted to see dining staff dressed up as Charles Dickens characters, an annual tradition. And we are all eagerly anticipating our upcoming holiday sing-along in the Chapel on December 21st. Whatever the season, we’re grateful to be able to gather as a community to celebrate.

Also in Santa Rosa, at Friends House, we’ve made several improvements to the property, and we are planning to add more apartments in 2022. Updates to our dining area and fitness center are also on the horizon! Expanded care levels mean we have new options to offer, including our new high acuity assisted living health center, which is unique in the area. And with plenty of holiday activities to keep our residents busy, we’re closing out the year on a high note.

As the affiliation between Covia and Front Porch continues to strengthen, we’re looking forward to even more great things to come. Here’s to a great 2022 and beyond!

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“As we move through this new year of hope and into 2022, I am delighted at the opportunity the new Front Porch Communities Foundation has to do good work,” said John Woodward, CEO of Front Porch Communities and Services. “The generosity of our donors’ giving — and their commitment to engagement — exemplify the values each of our communities live every day.”

All past gifts made under the previous foundations will be honored and used for the community and purpose that donors designated. Donors will continue to be able to direct their gifts through FPCF to the community or program they wish to support.

Caring and generosity have historically been strong values of the nonprofits that over the years have come together in the Front Porch system.

Front Porch itself was initially formed by four separate nonprofit retirement community organizations, each connected to a charitable foundation. Three of those foundations — Pacific Homes Foundation, FACT Foundation, and Sunny View Foundation — merged in April to create the new Front Porch Communities Foundation to support and serve all the original Front Porch retirement communities.

The Covia Foundation has served the six Covia communities and widespread community services programs since 2002 and became a partner to Bethany Center Foundation when the Bethany Center community joined Covia. When Friends House joined Covia in 2021, the Covia Foundation assumed administration of the Friends House charitable funds.

The joining together of all the foundations and charitable funds in the new Front Porch Communities Foundation provides an opportunity to extend the culture of philanthropy and help supporters achieve greater impact with their charitable gifts.

Katharine Miller, who has served for many years as executive director of the Covia Foundation, is the executive director of the new Front Porch Communities Foundation. She and the Covia Foundation team will work closely with the Front Porch Foundation team to serve supporters and continue to build on the culture of generosity and caring that is an integral part of our communities and programs.

“Those who care about others are at the heart of each of our community’s strong spirit of giving,” said Katharine. “It’s an honor to be working with people who are striving to achieve greater good for those they care about.”

The Front Porch Communities Foundation will be guided by the FPCF Board of Directors, drawn from supporters and board members from across the Front Porch and Covia systems. The work of the Board and the Foundation will be supported by local community philanthropic committees, executive directors at the community level, and residents, friends and staff members who bring to life the Front Porch values.

*This story was originally shared in the Community Matters newsletter

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“Things happen — and we may have greater needs than any of us anticipated,” said Hilda Pressman, a Circle of Friends committee member. “It’s a great comfort to know the Circle of Friends is there.”

The resident assistance funds provided through the Front Porch Communities Foundation provide peace of mind to neighbors and friends in need. As one resident said, “Any of us could outlive our resources, so I want to be a part of being there for one another.” In Northern California, the assistance program for life plan residents is called the Circle of Friends fund and the average age of recipients is 92, with many living at a higher level of care.

“Throughout our communities, the spirit of caring for one another is apparent in the many gifts we receive for the assistance funds,” said Foundation Executive Director Katharine Miller. “It is a reflection of the close friendships people form in our communities and the care that residents have for one another.”

*This story was originally shared in the Community Matters newsletter

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Now, as a new organization, Front Porch has adopted a new set of core values – built on the values already being lived out in Front Porch’s communities and programs. “These two reports demonstrate how our organizations have continued to pursue our common mission, vision and values throughout this difficult year,” said John Woodward, CEO.

“It was no doubt a difficult year as the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sally Plank, senior vice president of organizational accountability. “However, at Front Porch, the strength of community and spirit of the individual was never more evident than during these challenging times.”

Front Porch’s values, including Connect, Collaborate, Build Trust, and Embrace Change are on full display in the video summary of the Impact Report and Social Accountability Report. The Collaborative Quilt Project and the Creative Aging Symposium demonstrate the organization’s commitment to the value of Inspiring Creativity. The proactive response to keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, including communications, continuity of care, and adapting services such as meal delivery to residents, are examples of Leading Responsibly.

Plank shared, “We are thankful to our residents, whose patience and resilience showed true spirit and strength. We are equally grateful to our staff for their commitment to the safety and security of our residents. Your courageous response is the value of a true community.”

Watch the video here.

Click here to see the full Impact Report.

Click here to read the Social Accountability Report.

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“I have participated in the artists’ studio tour so many times over the years that I’ve lost count,” says Olsen. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for artists to share their art, where and how they work, and for the public to meet a wide variety of artists at different levels of expertise.” This year marks the first time Olsen will be participating since moving to Canterbury Woods and she will be utilizing the courtyard to present her pieces. “We have a lovely courtyard with many tables, chairs, and fresh air.”

The Studio Tour allows artists to meet the community and share information on their process and philosophies. “As an artist on the tour, it has been fun to get people’s opinions, to see what they like and to share how I work,” says Olsen. “I hand out a sheet of philosophies I have found helpful that starts with what one of my teachers told me: ‘Don’t judge yourself as an artist until you have done four hundred paintings.’”

Since Olsen discovered her love of art at forty, she has painted over 3000 pieces. She notes “I was an English major in college and never saw myself being an artist. I didn’t think I had artistic talent.” But a course in Batik, a technique that uses wax to create designs on dyed cloth, changed her thinking. Olsen says that the Batik class “was much fun and led to classes to develop my art skills.”

Her medium of choice is painting, particularly oil on canvas. “Painting became a challenge, or one could say an obsession, to always wanting to improve skills and do better paintings,” she notes. “I discovered that talent helps, but like playing the piano, frequent practice makes the difference between being amateur or professional.”

In 1986, Olsen was accepted as a member of the Carmel Art Association, which is artist owned and run. “Carmel Art Association has a great reputation and sells a lot of art. With the encouragement of selling, I began painting over one hundred paintings a year, which I have now done for thirty-five years,” says Olsen.

Her most common subjects are landscapes, though Olsen notes that she doesn’t paint out in nature, known as plein aire. “With controlled lighting and ease of set up and comfort, my studio always won over the outdoors. However, I have taken hundreds of photos and use them as a stimulant for ideas.”

Another important part of her technique is music. “Listening to classical music while I paint helps in keeping me from thinking too much and from giving up until things feel right.” Olsen has special techniques for painting on paper, board and canvas and she encourages people to “come to my studio tour to find out what they are.”

Olsen’s studio will be open to the public the weekend of October 16^th and 17^th. To see examples of her work, visit https://carmelart.org/ and fineartamerica.com. For more information on the Monterey County Artists Open Studio Tour, visit www.mcarttour.org. To schedule a tour of Canterbury Woods, contact us.

The post Canterbury Woods Resident Peggy Olsen to be featured on Monterey County Studio Tour appeared first on Front Porch.

“It started as a direction from the board and then-CEO Laurie Pratt to ‘go help people’. It was that broad,” she says. From those beginnings, over the last 20 years, the Community Services division has grown to offer five flagship programs with Tracy as the Vice President of the Community Services division, managing 25 employees. The division serves people nationwide, using innovative programs to address four areas of impact: food security, social connection, creative engagement, and stable housing.

Market Day, designed to offer a wide variety of fresh produce for a minimal cost to older adults living in food deserts, was Community Services’ first program. Originally started in 1977 at the church across from St. Paul’s Towers in Oakland, Market Day established a practice for Community Services, to test a program and then replicate it in other locations. A second location was opened in 2001, marking the beginnings of Community Services as a part of the organization. The program currently has 24 sites in Northern California, primarily located in senior centers and senior low income housing communities, with more to come at Front Porch communities and other sites in Southern California.

“I really want people to know that Market Day is much more than just produce and reducing food insecurity. It’s about creating purpose and providing an opportunity to build community,” says Sheila Womack, Senior Director of Community Services. This understanding of programs as a source of purpose and community pervades the work of the division.

Well Connected, which started in 2004, and its companion, Well Connected Español, are largely participant-led, inviting people from the United States (and sometimes beyond) to support one another through phone- and online-based groups, classes, and events. Social Call was founded in 2009 as an in-person friendly visiting program to connect older adults and volunteers for one-on-one weekly conversations in English or Spanish. In 2018, the program launched visits by phone or video, which expanded availability throughout the United States. Today, these virtual connection programs reach 3,900 individuals a year.

What sets these programs apart, says Tracy, is the importance of reciprocity – what participants give each other, and how they shape the programs. “Back in the day, we designed programs somewhat paternalistically, as in ‘we’ll fix this for you.’ Now we focus on engaging participants to help create their own solution.”

Katie Wade, Senior Director of Creative Engagement, agrees. As she reflects on working in a traditional service model, she says, “Honestly, it was a little depleting. But thinking about our work in Community Services as an interdependent model and what we all give and receive inside those connections is a holistic way of approaching life in general, as well as the work that we do. I think the end result for participants, volunteers, and community stakeholders is relational but also intentional.”

Amber Carroll, Senior Director of Connection Programs, emphasizes that Community Services programs “are not a resource for ‘them’ – people out there. We are collectively a resource for everyone – every resident, every staff person,” as well as the community at large.

In 2012, Community Services responded to the Bay Area housing crisis by creating and piloting Home Match in Marin County, a region with a high proportion of older adults and few affordable housing options. Leveraging existing housing stock, Home Match connects financially vulnerable or socially isolated older adults who have an extra room in their home with low-income individuals who are challenged to secure safe, affordable housing.  Home Match has grown to serve 5 Bay Area counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Monterey, and San Francisco, as well as serving as a resource for other areas seeking to respond creatively to their local housing needs.

“I want to make homesharing as understood and used as peer to peer car rides or Airbnb,” says Karen Coppock, Senior Director of Home Match. “There are 3.6 million unoccupied rooms in the top 100 housing markets in the United States, tons of opportunity to house people and stabilize the housing of others.”

Although for most of its programs, Community Services is focused on direct outreach, its newest program, Creative Spark, primarily trains and supports other service providers. “That’s an exciting route for us and it’s really in keeping with how we have been developing a national touch and influencing the field of aging services for several years,” says Katie. “Creative Spark is a next step in that continuum.”

One significant change Tracy has seen in her years is in the growth of the team’s sophistication and business savvy. “We have much more rigor about strategy and data collection,” she says. “We know how important storytelling is to be able to communicate about impact, but if it’s not backed up by data, then that’s a problem.” Over the past five years, “it’s been about focus, focus, focus. We had to let go of some programs and make some really hard choices to be able to use the resources we’re given in the most impactful, thoughtful, and responsible way.”

“I believe we can be leaders in the space of doing this work that demonstrates our social accountability,” says Tracy. “It’s something that residents, staff, family members, and board members can be proud of. I’m grateful for Front Porch’s commitment to dedicate time and financial resources to make an impact on people’s lives as well as social challenges. I think we embody the values of Front Porch and the work we do is another way to think about how to live out those values.”

The post Community Services celebrates 20 years, and looks to the future appeared first on Front Porch.

When we talk to residents about what they appreciate most about life at their Covia community, time and again we hear one thing: the people. Of course, that includes their neighbors and friends in the community, but we always find it heartening how much our residents appreciate the staff. From our activities, dining, and housekeeping staff to our facilities and nursing professionals, we have a first-rate team, and it shows.

At Canterbury Woods in Pacific Grove, Wei Chang heads up transportation and helps make sure residents get to appointments and activities around town without hassle. He joined the Canterbury Woods staff after more than 30 years as a commercial photographer because he loves working with people. And after helping his father navigate the area, he also understands the challenges transportation can pose as we age.

In Palo Alto, Ann Lee, Webster House’s Wellness Nurse Supervisor, is a great example of a team member residents count on. Originally from Laos, Ann emigrated with her family to Southern California as a child. She has been in the medical profession for more than 16 years. In addition to being a nurse, she is a trained EMT and phlebotomist. We are grateful to have her expertise on our care team, and our residents enjoy hearing about her motorcycling adventures and the symbolism of her tattoos.

The Director of Facilities Services at San Francisco Towers, Martin MacLeod, heads up our maintenance and housekeeping staff and enjoys working with residents to keep everything operating up to their standards. He started working here after relocating to the Bay Area from Santa Monica at the recommendation of his mother, SFT’s Director of Nursing for 19 years. When he’s not keeping everything here in tip top shape, you’ll find him enjoying a round of golf or hanging out with his wife and two English bulldog puppies: Bonnie and Capone.

These are just a few examples of the great people who work at our communities, and who make such a difference to our residents.

One of the advantages of moving to a Covia community is the many people looking out for you. Whether they are attending to daily details like meals or maintenance, organizing events and activities, or providing onsite health services, you always have a team of people ready and willing to help. And we pride ourselves on the consistency of our staff. You can look forward to seeing the same faces and counting on trusted people to help when needed or to simply say hello each day.

Bottom line, where you live as you age is about finding a place that becomes home inside and out. Surrounded by friendly faces and caring, compassionate team members adds that all important final touch to our beautiful communities.

The post It’s all about the team appeared first on Front Porch.

The fact is, being smart means you don’t put off planning ahead. You didn’t put off planning in your younger years, and you’re not going to live the rest of your life passively either. You’re proactive, not reactive, when it comes to your health, finances, and goals. You’ve dreamt big and planned big. We’re here to support you in making those plans and dreams become your reality in a community that feels like home.

By considering a move to a Covia Community, you’re beginning the process of giving yourself and your loved ones peace of mind. In fact, a recent Age Well Study by Mather Lifeways Institute on Aging found that people living in life plan or continuing care retirement communities demonstrate higher levels of social, physical, and intellectual wellness.  Add to that our expanded health care resources, and your worries are minimized as you age, knowing you have a team to work with you as your needs change.

Another benefit that makes our residents smarter than the average 70-year-old has to do with maintenance. As you consider the never-ending routine of home care, you’re taking into account what that might mean five, 10, or 20 years down the road. Moving to a Covia Community means no more caring for a house that’s bigger than your lifestyle or a yard that requires continued upkeep.

Along with peace of mind, you’re aware of the social benefits of moving to a community. All your life you’ve surrounded yourself with friends and community. You got to know your neighbors, got involved in your community, and made friendships that lasted. At any of our communities, you’ll be surrounded by people like you – intelligent older adults with diverse backgrounds in a similar stage of life.

Activities and exercise are always close by, with an array of options and a supportive staff always available to you. Whether you want to play bocce in Sonoma County wine country, take an easy walk to the Monterey shoreline, or join an exercise program in your community’s fitness center, Covia Communities have activities to suit your needs. It’s the convenience that sets us apart. Instead of traveling to exercise or trying to find creative ways to stay fit while at home, a life plan or continuing care retirement community naturally makes life easier and more enjoyable.

So, are you REALLY smarter than the average 70-year-old? Odds are you know the answer. You’re already aware of Covia’s reputation as a clear leader in senior living. You’ve planned, you’ve saved, and you’ve lived life with joy. Being smart means you know there’s more to come. All it takes is that next step. We’d love to meet with you and learn more about what that looks like to you.

Smart seniors like you have been choosing Covia for years. Are you ready to add your name to that list?

The post Are you smarter than the average 70-year-old? You better believe it! appeared first on Front Porch.

When people move to a Covia Community, they don’t just get a new address. Our residents root themselves into the kind of community they once enjoyed with long-time neighbors and friends. Once they settle in to one of our communities, it often isn’t long before new connections grow and blossom.

It starts with the natural sense of community we cultivate every day. You’re surrounded by neighbors who will soon become friends. Before you know you it, you’re enjoying meaningful conversations, over dinner or drinks, or finding others who share your interests and hobbies – and a mutual place to share them.

You become part of a community where health, hospitality, and engagement are built in. You’ll form new friendships, find new interests, or discover how to dig deeper into passions you already have.

The list of ways to cultivate a new community of neighbors is seemingly endless.

If it’s the outdoors you seek, our communities have plenty to offer. From walking trails to community gardens, nature is at your beck and call, with others to join you on the path, if you desire.

If you’re a “roll up your sleeves” and “get in on the action” type of person, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to do just that. You might find connections by getting involved through joining a resident committee or the resident council.

Are you more interested in cultural events and activities? Whether it’s musical events, films, literature, visual arts, or trips to local museums or cultural centers, you can find events on the community calendar and like-minded people who share your interests.

Or if you’re simply looking for opportunities to connect over a meal or casual conversations with neighbors who know you, there’s a Covia solution in a community that feels like a home and more.

Belonging goes hand-in-hand with being a resident at one of our communities. The list of ways to build connections is as big as you might imagine – and may even be bigger. It’s worth exploring. All you need to do to get started is reach out and schedule a visit.

The post The Covia Connection: Building Your Community appeared first on Front Porch.

Friends House is a Quaker-inspired continuing care retirement community located in Sonoma County that is centered on the values of peace, integrity, simplicity, equality, and community.

Friends House opened in 1984, starting out with a handful of residents, and has grown over the last 37 years into a community with 63 garden apartments and 4 houses for independent living. One of Friends Houses’ founders, Robert Schutz, noted in an article on the community’s opening that the founders “got exactly what we had wanted and planned: a small community where everyone would know everyone else and feel a sense of community.”

These sentiments continue to be true in 2021. Associate Executive Director Jaclyn Carenbauer says, “Friends House is the true meaning of community. At Friends House, you feel welcomed, cared for, appreciated, and you know that you matter to the community.”

“As a small community, we know all other residents and thus are able to support one another,” noted a longtime Friends House resident.

Activities and Events

This sense of welcoming and inclusion is present throughout, including Friends House’s activities and events. Residents run and lead their own activities, such as knitting, mahjong, book club, Saturday night movies, language classes, and more. This direct input means that the calendar of activities always reflects what residents are passionate about.

Outside of weekly activities, Friends House also holds special events throughout the year. For example, Jazz in July welcomes members of the wider community out to the Friends House patio for jazz music, dancing, appetizers, and a collection of vintage cars. The Quaker Tea, inspired by Friends Houses Quaker heritage, invites the wider Santa Rosa community to peruse art created by residents, listen to music, and enjoy resident made baked goods and finger sandwiches. In traditional Quaker dress, residents serve tea and all proceeds from the event go to fund community service projects.

The Quaker Tea is one of two resident led fundraisers, the second being the Holiday Fair that is held in November. The fair features items handmade by residents, a bake sale, French café, and outside vendors.

Garden Campus

Friends House is located on a 7-acre garden campus bursting with natural beauty. One of Carenbauer’s favorite aspects of the community is the “campus’s focus on enjoying nature in its natural state.” Each apartment has its own garden out front and the community has over 100 fruit trees and rose bushes.

Friends House also features the Sunny Garden, a shared community garden with close to a dozen raised beds. Created during the pandemic as a way to foster connection when residents were unable to gather in person, the Sunny Garden features plots that are tended by both residents and staff.

Beyond the gardens, residents also enjoy a full library, fitness center, hair salon, café, and a creek path as well as additional amenities that make life at Friends House relaxing and peaceful.

Continuing Care

As a continuing care retirement community (CCRC), Friends House offers different levels of care including independent living and assisted living. Friends House also offers an Options program, which brings the support of assisted living into independent living apartments so residents can live independently for longer while receiving the care that they need. Residents have access to skilled nursing care at Spring Lake Village, Covia’s Life Plan community located in Santa Rosa right across the street from Trione-Annadel State Park.

Covia and Friends House coming together provides further opportunities for support and Carenbauer is excited not only “for the opportunities to connect with the larger Covia community” but also “for the other Covia communities to experience the warmth and friendship of Friends House staff and residents.” Two longtime residents shared that they are looking forward to “being part of a larger community with shared values and the opportunity to share activities.”

If you are interested in learning more about Friends House, we invite you to visit their new website and follow their Facebook page.

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