Community is more than just a word; it’s a commitment to support and uplift one another in times of need. Closing out National Volunteer Week, Graceworks employees exemplified this spirit by volunteering their time and effort on National Rebuilding Day. Our dedicated crew partnered with Rebuilding Together Dayton to make a difference in the lives of those unable to tackle home maintenance tasks themselves.

National Rebuilding Day, observed annually on the last Saturday of April, serves as a beacon of unity, rallying volunteers nationwide to rehabilitate homes and community facilities. Locally, this day is a chance to revitalize Dayton neighborhoods and foster a stronger sense of camaraderie. Through our volunteer opportunity with Rebuilding Together Dayton, we seized this occasion to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

“The seniors RTD helps don’t have the financial resources themselves to do any home repairs,” shared Jackie D’Aurora, 10-year Rebuilding Together Board member, “so these homeowners are all the more appreciative.”

The Graceworks team delved into outdoor projects at four homes, from pulling weeds to cleaning out flower beds and trimming bushes. For those unable to tend to their homes due to physical limitations or financial constraints, our efforts represented more than just yard work; they symbolized a gesture of support and care from their community.

“Bending and weeding and cleaning up the yard…that is physical work that gets more difficult as we age. Several in our group took time to visit with the homeowner, showing that this experience is not just about the work – it is about impacting the lives of the older adults.”

— JUDY BUDI, GRACEWORKS PRESIDENT & CEO

Each weed pulled and every shrub trimmed was a testament to our collective commitment to make a positive impact, one home at a time. But beyond the physical labor, it was the connections forged and the appreciation shared that truly encapsulated the essence of community.

Our participation in National Rebuilding Day reaffirmed Graceworks’ vision and core values; and our commitment to compassion, service, and community. Through our actions, we not only improved the physical spaces we touched but also nurtured a sense of belonging and solidarity among all involved.

A generous grant awarded by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has been improving wholeness of life for both rehab patients and residents at Bethany Village with the purchase of a Car Transfer Simulator and S3 Balance Bars.

Jen Schoen, PT, and Tina Adamson, SLP, demonstrate the car transfer simulator in the Bethany Rehabilitation Center as LPTAs Joel Chivers and Connie Brzozowski look on.

Therapy staff can now utilize the simulator to assess a patient’s ability to transfer into & out of a vehicle, and identify a treatment plan to help them regain mobility as needed. Bethany Village residents and nearly 75% of all Bethany Rehabilitation Center (BRC) patients admitted annually are expected to benefit from the use of this stationary piece of equipment. It offers the opportunity to regain dexterity to safely enter & exit a car, assisting in a swift return to normal activities of daily living.

Previously, real vehicles were used in the absence of a Car Transfer Simulator. Relying on actual vehicles to perform therapies outdoors was often problematic due to weather conditions and dependence on family or caregiver schedules.

“Having the simulator right here in the BRC allows us to treat patients in a more controlled environment and keep their progress on track.”

– Matt Cassidy, Director of Physical Therapy

The key to reducing fall risks among the aging population involves improving one’s balance—something that requires strengthening muscles. With newly purchased balance equipment from the ELCA grant, Bethany Village exercise specialists are able to teach classes to independent & assisted living residents to improve muscle strength as a fall prevention measure.

The S3 Balance Bars are stability bars that can be held or stood between when exercising. Since they can be taken anywhere on campus, residents of all varying abilities can now engage in physical activities.

Targeted treatment plans and balance-improving exercises using assistive devices—like the Car Transfer Simulator and S3 Balance Bars—provide more opportunities for seniors who have rehabilitative needs, fear falling, or fear falling again.

Bethany Village was recently named the Best Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Dayton for the second year running. The state-of-the-art equipment obtained with this ELCA grant enhances our teams’ ability to keep short-term and long-term residents’ needs number one.

Photography Project Helped Bethany Village Senior With Memory Loss Connect With Family During Visits

A collaborative art series featuring the talents of long-time Bethany Village resident Wally Willaman and his son-in-law Bill Franz, an amateur photographer, will be exhibited at the Dayton Metro Library second-floor gallery through Nov. 5, 2023*. The exhibit, titled Jobs from A to Z, features 26 original works of art that were created using digital photography collage. Each piece features a photograph that corresponds to a letter of the alphabet and is signed by both artists.

[*UPDATE 11/4: The series is no longer on exhibit in Dayton. It is slated to go on display in Ann Arbor, MI as part of Michigan Medicine’s Gift of Art exhibition program from March 11 to May 31, 2024. Centerville’s Woodbourne Library will display the collection in June.]

Franz was inspired to work with his father-in-law on the project after their visits became difficult because of Willaman’s age-related memory loss. After hearing a story on the radio about a woman who used a project to connect with an aging family member, Franz decided to give the idea a try. The duo worked together on the A to Z series for six months and saved their work in a three-ring binder. Although reluctant to participate at first, 101-year-old Willaman grew to enjoy the project and was eager to work together during Franz’ visits.

“Through this experience, our time together transitioned from difficult to fun. Without a doubt we were brought closer by this project,” says Franz. “Our collaboration has also helped me to create better art, and I value my father-in-law’s unique perspective and artistic process.”

“Wally and I hope people have as much fun viewing this art as we did making it,” says Franz.

At times, the A to Z series involved other Bethany Village residents. When Willaman and Franz had a difficult time deciding how to proceed with an element in the series, Franz would bring in a box of donuts and set up a voting station to gauge which direction for the project was more popular.

Franz is continuing his efforts to engage with his father-in-law and other residents through art. He recently purchased a box of 100-year-old photographs at a garage sale and brings a few on each of his visits to Bethany Village. He sits with a group in the common area and together they concoct background stories for the people featured in the pictures.

Nine Bethany Village residents have been selected for an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Honor Flight Dayton‘s mission is to take veterans who served from WWII through the end of the Vietnam Era to see their memorials.

PICTURED: Veterans Teb Baines, Dennis Barber, Fred Witwer, John Linville, Gary Baker with brother Leonard Baker (not a Bethany resident) and JD Livesay, with Centerville City Council Member Belinda Kenley and Montgomery County Treasurer John McManus

Bethany Village Independent Living Life Enrichment staff hosted a happy hour September 22 to celebrate the group of veterans:

• • Teb Baines

• • Gary Baker

• • Dennis Barber

• • Tom Broadwell

• • John Linville

• • JD Livesay

• • Jack Wilson

• • Harmon Withee

• • Fred Witwer

Although their original departure was set for September 23, tropical storm threats have postponed the Honor Flight to April 20, 2024. “Our veterans want to have a day they will never forget,” said Diana Deen Pry on behalf of the Honor Flight Dayton Board. “We take the safety of our veterans very seriously and do not want to compromise the well-being of any of the veterans on the trip.”

UPDATE: Five additional residents are planning to depart on the April 20th Honor Flight! A welcome home reception & happy hour is scheduled for residents on April 26th from 3-4pm.

• • Tom Angotti

• • Fred Berta

• • Lew Hann

• • Jerry Swain

• • Donald Weckstein

Thanks to Life Enrichment staff Cathy Howard and Leigh O’Brien for organizing all the fun!

Entertainment by guitarist Tony Peters

Veteran Ron ‘Socks’ Bowersock, 2015 Honor Flight passenger

Army Veteran Tom Adinaro chats with Cathy, Leigh, and Jackie

Belinda Kenley, Centerville City Council; John McManus, Montgomery County Treasurer; Jackie D’Aurora, Graceworks Vice President-Marketing & Advancement; Abby Eshbaugh, Graceworks Communications & PR Manager; and Air Force Veteran JD Livesay

Counting on staff, family and community votes once again this year has paid off, as Bethany Village has swept ALL THREE categories in the 2023 Best of Dayton reader’s choice contest:

Best Independent Living (new category in 2023)

Best Assisted Living Facility

Best Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center

Companies must first be nominated and rank among the top six finalists in their category. Once top nominees are selected, Dayton.com and the Dayton Daily News determine the winners in each category from votes cast online throughout the Miami Valley.

We especially appreciate the efforts of our employees who take pride in faithfully caring for and providing residents such an enjoyable, high quality of life. We’re excited to be the #1 choice in the Dayton region!

Heather Carruth, a nurse assessment coordinator at Bethany Village, has been named the winner of LeadingAge Ohio’s 2023 Excellence in Caring Award. This award is presented to a single “outstanding direct or indirect care professional or volunteer within a LeadingAge Ohio member organization who enriches the lives of those they serve and exemplifies quality of care in the field of aging services,” according to LeadingAge. The 2023 Award Winners were announced in Columbus at the LeadingAge Ohio Annual Conference & Trade Show.

Heather began her career at Bethany Village 34 years ago in dietary services, becoming a nurse in 1998. Heather’s love for bedside nursing led to continual learning, training and supervising newly hired nursing staff at the Bethany Rehabilitation Center, and most recently, accepting a leadership role as Restorative MDS Nurse on the Memory Support unit.

Now with an office of her own, staff and residents “may find her small dog, Izzy, sitting in a decked out stroller complete with coordinated outfit, ready to stroll about on Heather’s rounds, bringing a smile to anyone on the unit,” notes Facility MDS Coordinator Jenita Sullenger, who nominated Heather and accepted the award Tuesday on her behalf. “Heather has an uncanny ability to mitigate distressing moods or behaviors that residents [with dementia] can sometimes display. She is the ultimate role model for those around her in these interactions, often using her calm, joyful and sensitive approach.”

Heather’s dedication and enthusiasm for excellence in resident care is evident as she contributes to the growth of the nursing leadership team.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Heather!

Graceworks Vice President of Human Resources & Chief Integrity Officer Dawn Barhorst has been selected to participate in the 2024 class of Leadership Dayton, alongside organizational leaders from throughout the Miami Valley.

Leadership Dayton is a premier leadership development program designed by Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce to identify, educate and motivate a connected network of community leaders and increase the individual’s capacity to serve the Dayton region.

Over the next 10 months, members of the Class of 2024 will further their education and understanding by examining multiple industries, from government to health & human services, through a social servant lens. Program participants live, work and serve in Darke, Butler, Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren Counties.

Dawn also heads the Graceworks Corporate Compliance & Organizational Integrity Program as Chief Privacy Officer. She’ll soon join the ranks of seven Graceworks Lutheran Services leaders who have graduated from Leadership Dayton.

We are extremely proud of Bethany Village Administrator, Lauren Coyle, and Bethany Village Home Health Care Director, Dana Albaugh on being named to the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 list!

Each year the Dayton Business Journal honors local business and professional leaders who have achieved success and have excelled in their field before the age of 40. Nominees are recognized for demonstrating leadership, initiative and dedication in pursuing their careers and who are likely to continue to achieve in the future.

Nearly 200 of the region’s brightest young professionals were nominated, which shows the impact these ladies make every day on our community. Congratulations to the Class of 2023.

The Better Business Bureau, serving Dayton and the Miami Valley, has announced the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics winners. These awards honor organizations whose leaders demonstrate a high level of personal character; ensure the organizations’ practices meet the highest standards of ethics; and consequently generate trust with customers and the community. Formerly known as the Integrity Awards, the Torch Award embodies BBB’s mission of advancing business trust.

John North, BBB president & CEO, shared, “The BBB Torch Awards for Ethics recognize organizations for their ethics and integrity unlike any other award in our community. They focus on the character, culture, customers and community of Miami Valley organizations. And, all of our finalists model good business practices for us all to follow.”

At the May 9^th awards banquet at the David A. Ponitz Sinclair Center, Graceworks Lutheran Services was named the winner in the large nonprofit category. This Better Business Bureau Torch Awards for Ethics recognizes the hard work and dedication we put into Faithfully Caring for residents, teammates and the people in our communities every day.

Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Judy Budi, Graceworks President and CEO, as a board trustee for Bowling Green State University–her undergraduate alma mater.

Judy Budi, class of ’85, joined the BGSU Board of Trustees on Sept. 1, and will serve on the BGSU Board of Trustees through 2027. Judy’s appointment fills a vacancy on the BGSU Board of Trustees. Judy’s predecessor, Ava Harter, now serves as a non-voting, national trustee. BGSU trustees are charged with:

• Establishing and monitoring the execution of policy that guides the administration in the day-to-day operations of the University
• Selects a president, and on his or her advice, a staff to administer the policy
• Supports the efforts of the President and the staff in relation to the Ohio Department of Higher Education, members of the state legislature and state officials

The BGSU Board of Trustees is also charged with working with the president to ensure that the University focuses on contributing to the public good and embraces its role as a national model in addressing the educational, economic and social vitality of our region, the state, the nation and the world.

Congratulations, Judy, on this exciting opportunity!