Community Report
2024-2025
To our Beacon Hill Community,
2024 was all about community at Beacon Hill. From launching a major expansion to unveiling our sustainability plan to investing in programs and services, we’re wrapping up a year that has been about the intentional growth and development of our community.
Our senior leadership team has emerged as a strong, cohesive force that has taken Beacon Hill to a whole new level. Each has earned his or her place at the table, demonstrating the best acumen I have seen for delivering unbelievable service to our residents, their loved ones and our visitors. We hire for heart and talent — in that order — and our senior leadership has used their amazing passion to develop work teams that create incredible community.
Growing Again
In 2024, we formally unveiled our West End expansion, which will add new residences and amenities that will allow us to enrich the lives of more seniors in the community. This process has been a reflection of the progressive spirit of Beacon Hill, rallying a team of developers, designers and contractors into this space with us to create a world-class community.
The third major expansion launched in the past decade, we plan to add 100 new Independent Living residences and redevelop our Assisted Living and Memory Care residences. While new construction is always exciting, the redevelopment portion of this project is bittersweet since it will mean saying goodbye to our original 62,000-square-foot facility where our commitment to seniors first began. That building now costs us more to light, heat and maintain than the rest of our facilities combined. While its time has come, we say farewell with a heavy heart.
The process as a whole has been energizing, though, and we remain optimistic about the future. We’ve partnered closely with the City of Grand Rapids and our neighbors in Eastgate in a true process of community engagement. We listened closely to the concerns our neighbors shared about the impact construction would have on them and on Eastgate. This process left us with a renewed sense of responsibility as the largest employer in the neighborhood. The onus is on us to be good stewards of this campus who are sensitive to noise, traffic and other concerns of our neighbors.
I’m particularly excited about portions of West End that will expand our green space and add new public amenities, including a coffee shop, multi-generational playground, a space for outdoor entertainment, more walking paths and other amenities that will continue to welcome our neighbors to campus. You can read more about West End on page 4.
Exceptional Initiatives
While our bricks and mortar may be the most visible sign of Beacon Hill, we’re really all about our people and delivering a world-class experience through our buildings and grounds. We thrive on building relationships and developing trust with our residents, their loved ones, our visitors and our team. Bringing us all together under a common mission and vision is key to our success. We are all attuned to delivering an unparalleled level of service and care.
That was particularly true with our sustainability plan. We spent much of 2024 putting the finishing touches to this resident-inspired initiative to reduce carbon emissions, minimize waste, conserve water and enhance the well-being of residents and our team now — and for generations to come. Unveiled in February 2025, the plan lays out attainable goals in three primary areas: energy, water and materials.
Supported with funds from the Beacon Hill Foundation, we enlisted the help of Joe Rinkevich, a renowned sustainability expert who led this process in conjunction with a committee comprised of board members, residents and team members. Working together, we were able to identify ways where we can live and work together better and more efficiently. This new level of consciousness will be woven into all our development projects going forward and enable us to be better stewards in the end. Learn more about our sustainability work on page 6.
We also spent time in 2024 honing a new initiative designed to help us level up our service standards and offer support not currently available in the market today. We intend to bring resources and technology to seniors in our Independent Living apartments and those on our wait list that will enrich their lives, encourage continued independence and provide greater peace of mind.
We are launching a beta version of this program, which is still being finalized and named, in late 2025. I look forward to sharing more details about this program that will help people live better, longer and happier lives.
Our dining program continues to be a point of excellence that sets us apart from other senior communities. Good, healthy food thoughtfully prepared is essential to our wellness. The personal communion of enjoying a meal together is critical to our well-being. We start with the premise: we all have to eat, so why not make it an incredible experience — and make it personalized.
Our commitment to dining and hospitality is unmatched in West Michigan and remains a continued area of focus for us. Independent Living residents can choose from four restaurants, from our fast-casual Bistro and Marketplace to fine dining in The Club Room. Our culinary team takes the same care and joy in preparing meals for those in Assisted Living and Memory Care. You can read more about
our dining achievements on page 12, including our second appearance at the International Wine, Beer and Food Festival in Grand Rapids.
Our programming again exceeded expectations, delivering thought-provoking classes, clubs, discussions and performances that bring the world of arts, science, letters, music and sports to Beacon Hill. From world-class musicians from Michigan State University to simulcasting the January Series from Calvin University to our partnership with the Grand Rapids Ballet, we regularly bring outside experiences to our campus — and are always rewarded by a high level of engagement from our residents.
We also ensure residents continue to be part of the greater community, investing in transportation that enables them to enjoy the arts, entertainment, community festivals, and more. Our programming allows residents to experience life to their fullest. You can learn more on page 18.
I’d like to close by wishing the Beacon Hill Foundation a happy 10th birthday! The generosity of our donors fuels an increasing array of critical initiatives, including continuing education scholarships for our employees, arts and other programming for our residents, enhanced spiritual care for our community and more. You can read about the incredible journey of our Foundation on page 28.
Thank you to our entire community for all that you do to make Beacon Hill such a wonderful place to call home. It brings me immense joy to watch our community thrive, and we look forward to the continued growth of our organization.
To a bright and joyful 2025!
JEFF HUEGLI President and CEO
West End Expansion to Add World-Class Amenities, More Opportunities for Connection
OUR new West End expansion marks an exciting chapter in our commitment to provide exceptional care to our residents and a welcoming, open space for members of the Eastgate community.
Announced in September 2024, the 400,000square-foot West End expansion marks the third major development for Beacon Hill in the past decade. The project will introduce 100 brandnew one- and two-bedroom Independent Living residences, increasing our offering by nearly 50%. These new homes will enable us to extend our commitment to providing high-quality Independent Living options to even more seniors.
West End will also include a major redevelopment of Beacon Hill’s original site, which began as Michigan Christian Home in the 1950s, and will feature all-new Assisted Living and Memory Support residences.
At Beacon Hill, building community is at the heart of our mission. West End will integrate modern amenities with natural beauty, designed to enrich the lives of our residents while maintaining a connection with the surrounding Eastgate neighborhood. Residents and members of the community can look forward to enjoying expanded green spaces, terraces and gardens, all thoughtfully designed to create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.
“Our latest expansion will allow us to provide our unsurpassed care, world-class amenities and award-winning culinary program to even more seniors in our community,” President and CEO Jeff Huegli says. “With the addition of West End, we will continue to combine beautiful settings with innovative, personalized services that allow our residents to live their best lives. The expansion will also create new fulfilling jobs for the community and provide additional meaningful opportunities for our neighbors to enjoy our property, utilize our public spaces and dine with us.
“We never stop looking forward and have always been deliberate with our growth, listening to our residents and members of our community to truly understand what they want.”
In addition to the expanded living spaces, West End will introduce a variety of exceptional amenities, including a large terrarium space—a glass enclosure designed for warmth, greenery and engagement with the natural world. To promote accessibility and connectivity across Beacon Hill’s continuum
of care, West End will include the addition of an indoor walking bridge that connects Independent Living and Assisted Living. Other amenities include expanded gardens, courtyards and a coffee shop, offering residents and their loved ones and members of the broader community spaces to relax, socialize and enjoy life together.
Construction is slated to begin in 2026, with the expansion expected to be completed in early 2028.
West End could not be possible without the unmatched dedication of our project teams and the unwavering support of our residents, our project partners and members of the Eastgate neighborhood. Together, we are not only increasing Beacon Hill’s ability to serve seniors but also providing a state-of-the-art environment where residents can age gracefully, live optimally and continue to receive exceptional care.
We look forward to welcoming new residents and neighbors and to creating even more opportunities for connection, wellness and care in the years ahead.
“We never stop looking forward and have always been deliberate with our growth, listening to our residents and members of our community to truly understand what they want.”
JEFF HUEGLI, BHE President & CEO
To
learn more about West End at Beacon Hill, visit
WESTENDGR.ORG
A Greener Future
Introducing Our Resident-Inspired
DRIVEN by a passionate group of residents eager to create a more resilient and sustaining future for generations to come, we launched Beacon Hill’s first-ever sustainability plan in February 2025.
As an early adopter of sustainability practices in the Michigan life plan community space, we’ve crafted this plan with a clear focus on reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, conserving water and improving the well-being of our residents and team members. The goals are structured around three focus categories of energy, water and materials and strive to create specific objectives that will aim Beacon Hill toward enhanced environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Beacon Hill’s sustainability journey began in 2019 with the formation of a grassroots environmental action group by passionate and proactive residents, united by the shared goal to leave a better world for their children and grandchildren. The group meets regularly to explore practical ways residents and staff can reduce Beacon Hill’s environmental impact, such as using powder detergents to reduce plastic bottles or offering reusable containers for leftovers.
The ongoing advocacy by the residents and a research project conducted by a faculty-led team of students from nearby Aquinas College led to the launch of a formal sustainability initiative. In 2023, Beacon Hill engaged Joe Rinkevich, a seasoned sustainability advisor and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience, to formalize these discussions and partner with staff and residents to develop a comprehensive plan. After more than a year of gathering data, engaging residents and staff and collaborating on priorities and goals, the Board of Directors approved the official sustainability plan and metrics to measure its success in November 2024.
Sustainability Plan
“I can’t speak highly enough of the residents and staff at Beacon Hill who have taken it upon themselves to come together to collaborate, create solutions and track progress for improved environmental performance of the community,” Rinkevich says.
“This initiative has brought out some amazing experience and talents that exist at Beacon Hill, and it’s been such an inspiration to see all the passion and dedication it took to get the plan finalized.
“There are hundreds of life plan communities across the country that have green initiatives, but Beacon Hill is one of the first to put pen to paper and carefully set goals and how they’re going to achieve them. Having a dedicated sustainability playbook is invaluable, helping to guide decisions, measure progress and build a solid foundation, ensuring long-term success for decades and generations to come.”
Some of the sustainability plan’s goals include reducing energy use, exploring feasibility of onsite solar for existing and new buildings, identifying areas to improve water efficiency, and reducing materials sent to landfill via improved separation, recycling and composting. Goals include achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and eliminating materials to landfill by 2040. The plan supports the City of Grand Rapids’ commitment to restore environmental integrity, improve economic prosperity and promote social equity in the community.
The plan also outlines steps individual residents can take each day, including identifying energy-
saving strategies, installing water-efficient plumbing fixtures and using compostable or recyclable products and packaging.
“What started as a group of residents united by their passion for building a sustainable future for loved ones has grown into a powerful, community-wide movement with inspiring goals,” says resident Rhett Pinsky. “While we know environmental challenges are a global concern, we believe real change begins right here at home with our neighbors.
“We’re not focused solely on the present; our goal is to build a better world for future generations — for our grandchildren and all children to come. That’s where our passion blossoms from.”
As part of the sustainability initiative, Beacon Hill has started a pilot program with Organicycle, a West Michigan curbside composting service, for the Garden Café. This effort in the Garden Café has already reduced outgoing trash from approximately three bags per day to one. Landfilled food waste is a significant source of methane emissions. This simple yet effective pilot program is already giving valuable nutrients back into local agriculture and landscaping while keeping waste out of the landfill.
In 2025, the Beacon Hill Community Sustainability Initiative Steering Committee will investigate new ways to make sustainable improvements to daily operations. The committee will also dive deeper into finding additional eco-friendly alternatives and recyclable materials as well as working to improve water quality and conservation through landscaping and other activities. The Beacon Hill programming team has planned a series of fun and informative events around Earth Week to inspire residents and spread the word about these exciting new initiatives.
Sustainability is also a consideration in the upcoming West End expansion. The project team is working with the sustainability goals outlined in the plan to continue building on the great environmental work already being done at Beacon Hill.
Another long-term goal is to establish Beacon Hill as a key sustainability resource, inspiring other life plan communities in Michigan and across the country in their own eco-friendly efforts.
“As one of the first movers in the life plan community space, we hope Beacon Hill will be an inspiration and reference point for other communities,” Rinkevich says.
“We want to help move the needle locally, nationally and globally to create a renewed, sustaining future — together.”
To learn more about Beacon Hill’s sustainability report and initiatives, visit
Senior Expo Draws Nearly 200 Attendees, Showcases Technology Focused on Healthy Aging
On Oct. 9 and 10, 2024, we presented our first-ever Senior Expo — an event that showcased a lineup of cutting-edge technologies focused on healthy aging and new programs Beacon Hill is exploring to promote resident wellness, longevity and independence.
CO-HOSTED with Seamless Ventures, a Grand Rapids-based firm that provides research, consulting, testing and related services to organizations focused on innovation, expansion and strategic growth, the Senior Expo welcomed nearly 200 attendees and a roster of startup partners who performed live demonstrations of products that will soon be available for senior housing to support and enhance the well-being of aging residents. The Expo also included exciting information about two new Beacon Hill offerings — a personalized living services pilot program and the Innovation Lab.
Beacon Hill is exploring a new program designed to bring enhanced living services like transportation, pet care, personal assistance, medication management and other offerings directly to Independent Living residents and wait list members. After the pilot program concludes in April, participants will provide their feedback on the services, shaping the program’s official launch in late 2025.
The Innovation Lab is a partnership between Beacon Hill and Seamless Ventures, where residents and waitlist members can test new products in development in their homes — or a community space — and provide feedback that will shape future use. By using a human-centered research approach, we can ensure the technology tested in the Innovation Lab truly caters to resident needs and expectations.
Below left 1 - A resident tests an autonomous wheelchair from Alba; 2 - Clinical Care director Amanda Daggett presents on the future of integrated nursing care
The Senior Expo was filled with state-of-the-art technology and partners who share the common goal of enriching the lives of seniors. The presenters who showcased their innovations at the Senior Expo include:
• ALBA – Uses self-driving personal mobility robots to revolutionize the transportation of people in indoor and outdoor pedestrian areas. ALBA aims to help people with reduced mobility, empowering them toward greater independence and enhanced quality of life.
• Coya – Leverages data from best-in-class wearables to guide users to achieve sustainable habit change and to live healthier and longer lives. Coya offers customized, personalized training programs for individuals featuring direct access to an elite team of trainers, coaches and nutritionists who have worked with high-performance athletes.
• Electronic Caregiver – Specializes in remote patient monitoring, virtual caregiving and chronic care management, empowering individuals to manage their health more effectively from the comfort of their own homes. During the Expo, Electronic Caregiver showcased Addison Care, a state-of-the-art, artificial-intelligence-powered, 3D Virtual Caregiver that operates 24/7 in the patient’s home to monitor and improve treatment adherence, perform automated wellness checks, provide companionship and assist with daily tasks.
• MI Partner Health – Provides a personalized approach to primary care using a team-based membership model including experienced specialists in internal medicine and lifestyle medicine. MI Partner Health offers sameday or next-day visits through in-person and telemedicine, phone consultations and secure messaging and uses the latest medical technology to ensure patients always receive the highest level of care.
Above 3 - Welcome brunch; 4 - Electronic Caregiver demo
• MoveFactorX – Uses ultra-portable sensor technology and a reporting platform to empower people to move better and enhance lifestyle independence. From fall prevention to muscular power maintenance during weight loss, MoveFactorX uses objective measures and evidence-based practice to provide healthy aging solutions that grow with users.
• Vetr Health – Provides in-home veterinary care services and annual memberships for pet vaccines, testing, telehealth, prescriptions and digital records.
• ZIBRIO – Provides fall prevention programs built around award-winning technology originally invented for astronauts. ZIBRIO’s programs provide balance training and fall reduction programming for the home, clinic or community that is interactive and engaging.
Right 5 - Residents testing technology from exhibitors; Below 6 - Sasha Spellman from AARP presents on AgeTech; Page Right 7 - Attendee participates in a balance assessment with ZIBRIO technology
to the many residents and partners who made our Senior Expo such a success. Together, we are creating solutions that will help improve the lives of seniors now – and well into the future.
Culinary Team Serving Up Hospitality Across the Continuum
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and Well Beyond
The Beacon Hill culinary team’s unwavering passion for curating delicious meals and delivering remarkable hospitality is at the heart of everything they do, ensuring each dining experience feels special and memorable.
Whether you’re an Independent Living resident enjoying a cappuccino with friends in the Bistro, savoring a homemade breakfast in Skilled Nursing or an Assisted Living resident trying something new at the annual Summer Celebration, the culinary team works intentionally to make every meal feel like a truly high-level Beacon Hill experience.
This dedication is especially important when it comes to maintaining dining consistency across the continuum of care. In 2024, Executive Chef Luke Theaker and the team were busy inside and outside of the kitchen, carefully reviewing every dining detail and cross-training the Independent Living and Assisted Living culinary crews. From the way team members greet residents at the host stand to the ingredients meticulously selected for each dish, the culinary team strives to make every moment and meal feel consistent and extraordinary — no matter where it’s enjoyed.
To the culinary team, it’s deeply rewarding to see a resident move to a higher level of care and be delighted to find their favorite dishes still on the menu.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see so many residents continue to thrive as they move through the continuum, from the care they receive to the dining they experience,” Theaker says. “When a resident transitions, it can be a bit overwhelming, but we
ease that by offering the same quality meals served by caring staff they’ve built relationships with. Consistency in dining is a way of providing stability during a time of change, and we are committed to delivering that experience with every meal.”
This commitment to serving hospitality and bestin-class cuisine reaches far beyond the walls of Beacon Hill. The culinary team is passionate about delivering unexpected dining experiences to residents and West Michigan foodies alike.
“We are always looking for ways to refine our dining operations and raise the bar,” Theaker says.
“We view dining not just as ingredients on a plate but as an entire hospitality experience. We want to be a premiere destination for residents and the members of the community that’s memorable and distinct.”
Going Toe-to-Toe with West Michigan’s Finest Restaurants
For the second year in a row, the Beacon Hill culinary team participated as the one and only retirement community at the Grand Rapids International Wine, Beer and Food Festival, serving signature hospitality and delightful dishes alongside West Michigan’s most exceptional dining establishments.
This year’s carefully curated menu included a fall garden spaetzle, beef crostini, Mexican hot chocolate whoopie pie and a 4-H posole made possible by Clinical Care Director Amanda Daggett’s daughter and son, who lovingly raise pigs the culinary team frequently purchases at auction from the local county fair for their innovative dishes.
“Last year, we really wanted to show people that Beacon Hill’s dining program can stand up against the best of the best,” Theaker explains.
“This year, we owed it to our current residents, wait list members and priority club members to be out in the community to show people what our team can do.
“So many wait list members visited us that weekend. It was super fun to spend time with them, build relationships and reinforce that Beacon Hill is going to do something for them that no other life plan community can do.”
Celebrating with the Community
In August, Beacon Hill welcomed more than 600 residents and their loved ones, team members and neighbors to our Summer Celebration, an annual community appreciation event and culinary showcase, where hospitality was at the heart of the experience.
The sun was shining, the band was jamming and the culinary team was proudly serving from a menu of over 30 homemade specialties. From chopped smoked brisket and coconut shrimp skewers to garden tomato gazpacho and Asian pear chopped salad, the Summer Celebration offered something tasty for every palate.
“Part of Beacon Hill’s mission is to serve the Eastgate Community, and nothing helps us fulfill that more than the Summer Celebration,” Theaker says. “It’s so gratifying hearing our residents’ reactions every day, but there’s something different that happens to a chef when someone who hasn’t tried your cooking eats your food and says, ‘Woah, that’s good!’ There’s an energy to that.
“To have our team experience hundreds of people loving their food right in front of them really reminds them of the tremendous impact they make on the community.”
Hitting the Road with the Traveling Plate
Beacon Hill’s very own food truck, the Traveling Plate, hit the road again this summer, bringing not just creative meals but a warm and inviting experience to foodies in the community who enjoy the best of the best.
With a rotating weekly menu of handpicked meals ranging from global fusion to plant-based delights, the culinary team gave the broader community a way to enjoy some of Beacon Hill’s most creative menu options made using ingredients sourced fresh from our garden and local purveyors.
The Traveling Plate served culinary delights every Wednesday evening in the summer outside Beacon Hill, giving residents and members of the Eastgate community a tasty tradition to look forward to. The Traveling Plate was also open for business at Horrocks Market in Kentwood and First Merchants Bank as well as private parties, the American Heart Association 5K and other community events.
Joining the Fight Against Cancer
In October, Chef Grace Ogas represented Beacon Hill at the Taste of Hope: A Chefs Competition to compete for the prestigious Top Chef of the Year title — and to join the fight against cancer. Hosted by the American Cancer Society, this event uses the power of culinary arts to bring together the community to raise funds for a disease that affects the lives of so many.
For Chef Grace, participating in the cook-off wasn’t just about giving attendees a taste of the remarkable dining experiences Beacon Hill has to offer — it was about furthering the American Cancer Society’s efforts to eliminate cancer, a disease that’s no stranger to her life. Her grandmother and aunt were
diagnosed with cancer, and her family has firsthand appreciation for the support the American Cancer Society provides.
Chef Grace wowed attendees with recipes inspired by her childhood in Thailand. Her dishes included a shrimp and scallop peanut salad on crispy rice as well as a green and red curried chicken thigh with papaya salad.
Chef Grace’s auction, a personalized food truck experience from the Traveling Plate, received one of the event’s highest bids, helping to further the American Cancer Society’s vital work in our community — and well beyond.
Nurturing Whole-Person Care Through Spiritual Connections
From new book clubs and multimedia curriculums to support groups and simple one-on-one conversations, Beacon Hill’s chaplains dedicated themselves in 2024 to nurturing the mind, body and spirit of residents with compassion and love. The year was brimming with meaningful opportunities to extend spiritual care, helping to ensure every resident feels seen, valued and supported, regardless of where they are in their unique journey.
As Beacon Hill’s Director of Spiritual Care, Rev. Howard C. Earle Jr., D.Min. is always exploring new activities that inspire spiritual and personal connection, providing something special for every resident in Independent Living.
“Connecting with residents on a personal and spiritual level is always a highlight for me,” Earle says. “What I truly love about Beacon Hill is its holistic approach to care. It’s a privilege to walk alongside residents as they reflect on the deeper questions that come with later seasons of life, to explore what’s on their hearts and minds and to invite them to ask questions of themselves and of God. These moments of connection have been — year after year — some of the most meaningful experiences for me.”
In 2024, one of Earle’s areas of focus was connecting with a wider audience through nonreligious programming that still fosters deep spiritual connection. One of the new initiatives that quickly became a favorite was a book club, where residents gathered to discuss topics like legacy, faith, identity and other profound themes that touch the soul.
“With the book club, my goal is to expand the reach of spiritual care,” Earle explains. “It’s about creating a space where we explore life’s big
questions — without the pressure of it being solely about religion. I use these books to engage in conversation and discussion about the heart, mind and spirit without feeling like they can only discuss these topics if they sing Christian songs.”
Other engaging programs include Man Cave, where Earle invites the male residents to play pool and chat in a relaxed, pressure-free setting. There’s no formal teaching or praying — it’s just men coming together, sharing laughter, reflecting and having a little friendly competition. Another moving program is My Hurt Won’t Heal, which offers a space for residents living with chronic illness to share their experiences and support one another. It’s a time to affirm the challenges they face and to build a sense of community as they navigate those struggles together.
Looking ahead, Earle’s mission remains the same: to connect with more residents and to find new ways to provide spiritual engagement. One way to deliver more personal opportunities for connection in 2025 is what Earle is calling Chaplain’s Chat, which offers one-on-one time on residents’ own schedules. Earle is also exploring new programs and opportunities to help new residents feel welcomed and engaged from the moment they walk into Beacon Hill, guiding them as they settle into their new chapter of life.
“I’ve been at Beacon Hill for three years, and I’m really seeing these deeper relationships starting to forge,” Earle says. “For me, what I’m most proud of this year isn’t one thing — it’s about organic things that are happening, the relationships that are formed and residents seeing me as a valuable resource for them.
“I want to help residents ask themselves what it means to live in this season of life. You are alive, so let’s live.”
Strengthening Bonds in Long-Term Care
Providing expanded opportunities for compassionate care and engagement with residents in Long-Term Care was a 2024 focus for Paul Schultz, M.Div., Beacon Hill’s Clinical Care Chaplain. Now in his second year at Beacon Hill, Schultz is finding new ways to connect on deeper levels on a continuing basis.
“I’m celebrating my two-year anniversary at Beacon Hill, and this past year has been a time to solidify my role and really connect with residents on a profound level — talking about fears, hopes and dreams, as well as finding flexibility and meeting people where they’re at,” Schultz says.
“There are residents who didn’t have a chaplain prior to Beacon Hill, and it’s been gratifying earning their trust and walking alongside them, providing reassurance and hope as they face life’s biggest challenges.”
New in 2024, Schultz led a host of multimedia curriculum, deeply inspired by residents who wanted to explore meaningful topics around spirituality, faith and the human condition. One popular series was “The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi” by Kathie Lee Gifford, which took residents on a virtual journey into Israel to explore the deep roots of Christian faith — all from the comfort of their own community. These series not only provided variety but also sparked thoughtprovoking conversations, giving residents new topics to explore. When a resident shares a suggestion for a new series, the group is eager to dive in together, further deepening their engagement and connection.
“The purpose of the multimedia series is to ensure I’m not the only voice,” Schultz says. “If I’m the only one who’s speaking, the residents are only going to get my perspective.
“I had a resident who is a retired pastor tell me how much he appreciated the thoughtfulness that goes
into our curriculums. He told me that even after 50 years of practice, he is still learning and seeing things in a new light during our discussions.”
Schultz plays a key role in creating a warm, welcoming community for Long-Term Care residents through weekly worship, Bible studies, and meaningful fellowship. These gatherings foster shared faith and connection, uplifting all involved. Partnering with Life Enrichment, Schultz leads community-building initiatives, while his chaplaincy integrates spirituality into daily activities, helping relationships thrive.
In addition to his ongoing programming, Schultz provides compassionate end-of-life counseling, helping residents find meaning in their lives and the impact they’ve had. He also officiates funerals, honoring residents and offering comfort to families by highlighting the enduring legacies left behind. These services bring hope and peace to all. Looking back on 2024, Schultz has reflected on the growth he’s experienced. He’s honed his ability to engage with residents at all care levels and ask thoughtful, engaging questions. Theologically, he’s broadened his own understanding to support residents of diverse faiths, helping to ensure that each resident feels seen and valued.
Setting sights on 2025, Schultz is excited to plan a comprehensive curriculum that will guide residents through themes like the way, the truth and the light, the virtues of the fruit of the Spirit, the Ten Commandments and other theological topics. His focus will remain on continuing his own growth and learning, always finding new ways to walk alongside residents and provide spiritual well-being in Long-Term Care.
“When I come to work every day, I don’t know the stories I’m going to hear and the people I’m going to meet, but I love being able to engage with residents and help them feel deeply loved, respected and valued — no matter what their circumstances,” Schultz notes. “I see Beacon Hill as an entryway into what heaven is going to be like. Heaven is filled with stories and people to talk to and to learn from — and that’s exactly what it’s like here.”
Curating Creative, Exciting Programming that Inspires Connection
IN 2024 , the Beacon Hill programming team set out with a clear vision: to create in-person and virtual experiences focused on connection, community and the joy of the arts and education.
“We want our programs to feel unique and special. We never want to feel repetitive. We are always looking at creative ways to keep things exciting and engaging.”
SARAH JOHNSON, Community Programming and Events Director
A mirrored approach has been applied for presentations and a number of entertainment and musical offerings throughout the continuum of care. Hybrid-style event programming was amplified this past year, bringing residents from several areas of the continuum together for shared experiences. This provides the opportunity for residents in all areas to enjoy Beacon Hill’s world-class programming.
“We want all our residents to feel connected, so when someone transitions to Assisted Living, they’re not walking into an unfamiliar environment,” Johnson says. “Perhaps they’ve already met a neighbor at an art class or chatted with a team member at a presentation. They get to see old friends, enjoy programs they know and feel that familiarity. We’re really working hard to ensure residents don’t feel like they’re missing something.”
This commitment to care across the continuum extended to a group of resident volunteers, too. In 2024, more than 45 Independent Living residents donated 3,000-plus hours to support their neighbors in higher levels of care. Whether it was helping the Life Enrichment team with birthday parties, bingo, holiday gift wrapping, one-onone conversations and other activities, these volunteers passionately stepped up to spread joy across Beacon Hill.
Another big goal for 2024 was to strengthen partnerships with organizations in West Michigan, creating full-circle experiences centered around the arts. One highlight was a partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), offering residents a special performance in the Community House Auditorium, insights into ballet techniques, sneak peeks of upcoming productions and a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a dancer. These programs were then followed by outings to the GRB, where
residents watched rehearsals and saw firsthand how the magic of the stage comes together. The experience concluded with a group outing to a GRB production of “In the Upper Room.”
The programming team also partnered with the Grand Rapids Ballet to offer Adaptive Dance: Moving with Parkinson’s, a cross-continuum program offered for all care levels that promotes the benefit of the techniques and methods used by dancers to guide their bodies and minds. Led by instructor GRB School Director Attila Mosolygo, the classes focused on holistic and restorative movement to increase coordination, balance, flexibility and strength through music and movement.
“Adaptive Dance generated a lot of interest among residents,” Johnson says. “It’s so much fun, and it’s a program everyone can enjoy, no matter their mobility or level of care. It’s so incredible to see everyone enjoy the art of dance together.”
In addition to Adaptive Dance, Beacon Hill offered a range of vibrant community partnership programs, bringing music, arts and education to residents while fostering a sense of connection and creativity. One reoccurring offering was Senior Sing-Along, a weekly music and movement program designed for those in higher levels of care.
With the guidance of a music therapist, residents participated in structured music and movement experiences that focused on the therapeutic power of song and rhythm. Another highlight was the collaboration with West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles, which provided concerts from various groups, including the Ransom Street Big Band, Deutschlanders German Band and the West Michigan New Horizons Concert Ensemble. Calvin University contributed to the cultural life at Beacon Hill with live performances from its Symphonic Band and Alumni Chorus. Additionally, residents enjoyed the opportunity to participate virtually in the Calvin University January Series, a 10-day event filled with brilliant speakers, fascinating topics and enlightened conversation, featuring prominent academics, educators, artists, activists and others to present thought-provoking lectures in their areas of expertise. The MSU Music on the Road Series showcased an incredible lineup of talented student musicians, led by distinguished faculty members from the MSU College of Music. The Rockford Community Band also performed bi-annually, bringing its 50-piece ensemble to Beacon Hill with themed programs, such as “Pure Michigan,” where all musical pieces featured the scenes, history and composers of our great state.
In the warmer months, Equine Assisted Development brought its “Real Happiness” Mobile Horse Unit to Beacon Hill, offering equine therapy for residents across the continuum of care. This faith-based nonprofit connects horses with people to promote healing and growth.
We also hosted a variety of holiday-focused shopping events, giving residents the chance to get an early start on holiday shopping from the comfort of Beacon Hill. The Annual BH Holiday Gift Show showcased a curated selection of retailers who offered festive art, jewelry, fashion accessories and home décor. The Mason Jones Holiday Pop-Up Shop provided an exclusive shopping experience, featuring décor, faux greens, personalized stationery and other gifts hand-selected by its experts. The Morning Star Pop-Up Shop offered a variety artisanal gifts and services like watch battery replacement and jewelry repair.
Special in-house programs ensured residents had convenient access to essential services and enriching experiences without leaving Beacon Hill. Hearing Life Audiology provided on-site hearing exams and check-ups, while the Secretary of State Mobile Office offered easy access to voter registration, driver’s license renewals and all other services available at remote locations. Through
Tech with Terdoo, residents received one-on-one technology assistance from Service and Events Assistant Terdoo Orkar. Engaging speakers, like Caroline Cook, a recognized tour organizer and Grand Rapids enthusiast, shared their insights, while dining events such as international food days, pizza-making nights and instructional cooking sessions with the culinary team fostered shared dining experiences.
Sustainability was also a key focus in 2024, with several programs dedicated to environmental awareness and green initiatives. Residents participated in book clubs discussing sustainability topics, including a conversation led by Dr. Debra Rienstra about her book “Refugia Faith,” which explored the critical need for Christians to respond to the environmental crisis threatening Earth. The Wege Speaker Series featured virtual presentations by California State Professor of Environmental Studies Dr. Sarah Jaquette Ray, who shared her existential toolkit for the climate generation.
In addition, Sustainability Advisor Joe Rinkevich hosted roundtable sessions to discuss Beacon Hill’s green initiatives and how residents can reduce their resource consumption. Programs like solar eclipse viewings, nature-themed dinner-and-a-movie events, upcycled-themed craft projects and community garden activities helped keep sustainability front and center in a fun and engaging way.
Looking ahead, the programming team is full of energy and excitement, continually exploring ideas inspired by residents and team members. The team continues to focus on initiatives centered around sustainability, strengthening community partnerships and creating even more opportunities for residents to connect. But at the heart, it’s all about making sure residents are happy and engaged.
“ We love seeing so many residents truly enjoying our programming,” Johnson says. “We’re always thinking how we can add more – more creativity, more access and more ways to connect with each other and the community.”
Page 20 Left - Dinner & A Movie Jiro Dreams of Sushi; Top Left - Refugia Faith Author Visit; Bottom LeftBrazilian baking class - Brigadieros; Right - Grand Rapids Ballet performance
1 - Alcohol Ink Vase Making class; 2Bocce Ball; 3- Assisted Living Ladies Tea; 4 - Monster Mash; 5 - Dog visit; 6 - Assisted Living Magic Table fun; 7 - Scarecrow making activity; 8Outing to the GRAM; 9 - Fulton Street Farmers Market; 10 - Vistas Game Room party; 11 - Assisted Living Boulder Creek Wild Outing
A Commitment to Caring
The generosity of our Beacon Hill community continued to shine in 2024, with nearly 50 Independent Living residents donating a total of 3,000-plus hours. They visited with residents in higher levels of care, reading to them, offering manicures, wrapping gifts and more. Volunteers were also critical to the success of Life Enrichment activities, lending a hand to enhance the fun of birthday parties, bingo and more. The broader community has also made a significant impact, contributing nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer work to Beacon Hill. Their contributions ranged from pet visits, live music and crafting to assisting with events, puzzles and walking groups.
This collective effort from both residents and the community has fostered an enriching atmosphere where residents across the continuum of care thrive and experience a strong sense of connection and support.
Resident Volunteer Groups:
• Mad Hatters
• Let’s Connect Community Newsletter
• Mary and Martha Guild
Residents and our team volunteer at numerous nonprofits working to enhance our broader community, including:
• American Cancer Society
• Community churches
• Emmanuel Hospice
• Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
• Kids Food Basket
• Local food pantries
• Mel Trotter Ministries
• Feeding America
Beacon Hill benefits from volunteers from these wonderful organizations who come to campus to support our residents:
• Breton Downs Elementary School
• Covenant Schools
• Empire Beauty School
• Good News Baptist Church
• Horrocks Market
• Kent Career Tech Center
Residents and our team support these arts and educational institutions:
• Aquinas College
• Grand Rapids Ballet
• Grand Rapids Art Museum
• Civic Theater
• Circle Theater
• Calvin University
• Equine Assisted Development
• Ferris State University
• Grand Rapids Community College
• Opera Grand Rapids
• Grand Rapids Symphony
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
• Michigan State University
• PAWS for a Cause
• Heart of West Michigan United Way
And serve on these local nonprofit boards:
• American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing
• Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
• Careerline Technical Center Advisory
• Cornerstone University
• David’s House Ministries
• Dwelling Place
• Grand Rapids Community College Certified Nursing Assistant Advisory Committee
• Grand Rapids Community College Nursing Advisory Committee
• Grand Rapids Community College Secchia Institute for Culinary Education Advisory Board
• HPS Technical Advisory Committee
• Kent County Technical Center Health Advisory Committee
• LeadingAge Michigan
• Mary Free Bed Hospital
• National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care
• PRIISM Initiative (Preventing Resistance and Infection by Integrating Systems in Michigan)
• Salvation Army
• YMCA Service Club
Beacon Hill at Eastgate is proud to support these local organizations:
• Area Agency on Aging
• Emmanuel Hospice
• Forest Hills Community Services
• Grand Rapids Chamber
• Local First
• Equine Assisted Development
• Immaculate Heart of Mary
• ThereforeGo Ministries - Volunteers in our Community Garden
• Michigan State University College of Music
• West Michigan Jazz Society
• Equine Assisted Development
• Ebony Road Players
• West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles
• Rockford Community Band
• Grand Rapids Symphonette
• Schubert Male Chorus
• Calder City Concert Band
• Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning
• Calvin Community Symphony
• Grand Rapids Accordion Ensemble
• Celebration Brass
• Fulton Street Farmer’s Market
Beacon Hill invests in these communityfocused vendors:
• Any Colour You Like Popsicles
• AP Baked Goods
• Eastern Floral
• FarmLink
• Austhof’s Farm
– Blis
– Country Dairy
– Crisp County Acres
– Farm Country Cheese House
– Heffron Farms
• Field&Fire
• Great Lake Bakes
• Horrocks Market
• Louise Earl Butcher
• Mason Jones
– Heidi’s Farm Stand
– Michigan Bee Company
– Visser Farms
– Well’s Orchards
• Furniture Donations to Pathway Senior Movers Consignment Shop
• Pebble Creek Produce
• Rowster Coffee
• Southside Floral
• The Salted Cupcake
• Cascade Rental Center
• Special Occasions West
Volunteering by the Numbers
RESIDENT
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
3,112
Volunteer duties - One-to-one visiting, tea parties, BINGO, gift wrapping, hat making, cozy corners, passing out activity schedules, filling bird feeders, baking groups
COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
983
One-to-one visiting, pet visits, live music, crafting, reading, manicures, reception desk
Delight, Empower & Thrive Changing Our Approach to Dementia Care
What does quality of life look like for residents with dementia? And how can Beacon Hill align its care to enhance their lives?
These were north star questions for Gayle Wolffis as she and her care team began reimagining the Beacon Hill dementia program in 2024. The result? A six-point CareCompass to guide their efforts and enhance education for all team members to ensure residents thrive.
“More people are living with dementia — not just memory challenges, but dementia,” says Wolffis, Director of Social Services and Dementia Care Coordinator. “Last year, we focused on redefining what our program looks like and then providing education for our staff so they would better understand dementia and how to enhance the quality of life for residents living with dementia.”
My Journey
The keystone to CareCompass, this pillar allows our team to connect with residents and their loved ones so they can understand their personal likes and dislikes, the passions that fueled their lives and the myriad of things and people important to them. “This frames every aspect of our care here at Beacon Hill,” Wolffis notes.
Surprise & Delight
This pillar is based on the belief every individual should have the opportunity to enjoy life and experience moments of joy throughout the day. “It’s about allowing residents to connect with their senses through music or aromatherapy or a good meal,” Wolffis says. “We encourage our staff to engage with residents throughout their day. We want to create opportunities for joy. We want to help them connect with the world around them.”
Beacon Hill’s new CareCompass is based on best practices Wolffis has drawn from multiple knowledge sources, including the Dementia by Day™ training program, the Alzheimer’s Association® and others, to concentrate on six pillars:
“Memory care services like ours at Beacon Hill are crucial for both residents and their loved ones,” Wolffis explains. “A tailored care plan is absolutely essential to allow each resident to thrive. We recognize it might not always be a good day, but we seek to build those good moments where you see that wonderful joy and connection.”
Empowering through Education
Beacon Hill provides educational opportunities for members of our life plan community, our team and our community at large to understand what dementia looks like and what it means to live with dementia.
“We hold a monthly support group meeting for those who support someone living with dementia,” Wolffis explains. “We also offer Dementia Live™, an empathy-building program that offers a powerful path to understanding what it may be like to live with dementia.”
Nourish & Thrive
Recognizing the importance of food to connect and nurture us, Beacon Hill creates a dining environment that is hospitable, warm and caring.
“Residents have had opportunities to do some of their own cooking, such as making personal pizzas,” Wolffis recalls.
“The culinary team was involved, leading and participating in the group activity. It was wonderful to see the excitement of some of our residents when they realized they’d made the meal they were enjoying.”
Individualized Care Plans
Using the unique things learned about each resident, Beacon Hill creates a care environment centered on that individual’s specific likes and dislikes, physical issues and emotional wellbeing. “Any caregiver who walks through the door can look at the care plan and immediately know exactly what that resident needs,” Wolffis says.
Staying Active
This pillar blends physical, emotional and spiritual activities through weekly programs designed to engage residents. “Our chaplain will hold weekly worship times that use hymns to enhance cognition,” Wolffis explains. “We use daily physical activities and brain fitness exercises to help residents feel a sense of accomplishment.”
Education and training for the Beacon Hill staff will continue in 2025, as well as the Dementia Support Group and Dementia Live offerings. A key goal in the coming year will be to help residents focus on their five senses and find ways to engage them through programming with a unique focus on taste, touch, hear, see and smell.
All of these, Wolffis knows, provide important opportunities to forge connections, enhance learning and create safe spaces where loved ones and caregivers can talk freely and comfortably in a supportive and nonjudgmental environment.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Foundation Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Giving Back
Even though the Beacon Hill Foundation is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025, its spirit of benevolence, love and philanthropy is six decades in the making.
Board Chair Carl Dufendach traces the genesis of the Foundation to the early days of Michigan Christian Home, which opened its doors in 1959 as a place of welcome and respite for senior saints, retiring Baptist missionaries, pastors and their spouses. But not all had enough resources to retire, so Ed Daverman and the board established the Mary and Martha Fund.
“Ed was one of the co-founders of Michigan Christian Home, and he served on the board for more than 30 years — 28 of them as chair,” Dufendach notes. “Drawing on the biblical story of hospitality Jesus experienced in the home of his friends, they created the Mary and Martha Fund, which was designed to help the missionaries and pastors if they ran out of resources to live here. That fund grew and was the beginning of today’s Foundation.”
When Daverman retired, he passed the leadership baton to Charles “Chuck” Van Namen, one of the original co-founders of X-Rite, Inc. in Grand Rapids. Dufendach joined the board in 1984 and became its third board chair, a role he continues to cherish.
“Our board has always been pretty good about encouraging ideas,” Dufendach notes. “We try and set policy and let our management run things, which is how a board works best.”
In his day job, Dufendach is an attorney with Warner Norcross + Judd LLP who concentrates his
practice on trusts and estates. He and others saw the benefit of establishing a separate foundation to benefit the organization, which changed its name to Beacon Hill at Eastgate in 2007 to better reflect the breadth of living options it provides and its home in the Eastgate neighborhood of Grand Rapids.
“While the name has changed, our commitment hasn’t,” Dufendach explains. “We still recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That’s really the motivation for why we do what we do — and why I’m on the board. I want to exemplify that servant’s heart that Jesus calls for. That gives me the energy to be involved.
“But we don’t discriminate based on faith. We have people of all faiths who now live in Beacon Hill. We are unabashedly Christian, but we minister to everyone, just as Jesus taught us to do.”
Throughout this time, the Mary and Martha Fund grew quietly and steadily. Its focus was still on providing benevolent care to residents in need, but it had enough excess funds to loan to Beacon Hill, which was able to finance some of its growth without the need to get a bank line of credit. By the early 2000s, it had become increasingly clear that establishing a separate foundation would enable Beacon Hill to further strengthen its impact and live its mission.
“While we haven’t needed that kind of funding in recent years, the visibility that has come with forming a foundation has been exceptional,” Dufendach says. “We can now host special events to support the Foundation and expand its reach. That’s the real blessing in helping us get the word out.”
Pictured left, Carl Dufendach; RightMary Martha Guild Member Tea
Established in 2015, the Foundation continues to support residents in times of need, but its scope has expanded. Not only did it fund the bridge that connects the Independent Living building and the Assisted Living and Memory Support building, it’s now used to enhance the resident experience. The Foundation has also been able to help connect Beacon Hill with the broader Eastgate neighborhood. Dufendach highlighted several new initiatives:
The Chaplaincy Fund enables Beacon Hill chaplains to expand their program and further enhance their sphere of influence within the organization.
See story on page 16.
Employee Scholarships Fund continuing education opportunities so employees can get extra and sometimes specialized training in the culinary arts, dementia care and other areas.
See story on page 30.
Underwriting Arts Performances allows Beacon Hill to expand its programming and bring world-class musicians, artists and guest lecturers to campus, enriching the lives of residents and members of the Eastgate neighborhood.
See story on page 18.
“It’s been good to see the Foundation grow in what it can do and what it can help with,” Dufendach says. “It’s wonderful for it to be able to raise funds and support projects that enrich lives.”
Cultivating a Supportive Community Where Team Members Thrive
At Beacon Hill, we’re just as committed to supporting our incredible staff as we are to caring for our residents. We truly believe every single member of our team is a vital part of our community’s success. With heart and talent, our team provides top-notch hospitality, fosters meaningful emotional connections and offers spiritual support that helps our residents flourish.
In 2024, Beacon Hill was honored with a number of prestigious national and local awards, recognizing our dedication to exceptional care and the nurturing environment we’ve created for both our residents and our team members to thrive.
For the second year in a row, Beacon Hill was recognized as one of the best continuing care retirement communities in the country by Newsweek for providing a community that offers a continuum of care options, allowing residents to thrive and age with dignity and grace. Newsweek ranked its 2025 list of America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities based on accommodations, overall care and safety measures, food and financial factors, as well as the quality of independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care, among others. Beacon Hill is one of eight Michigan communities to earn a spot on the list, which was curated from quality dimension scores, accreditations, visitor satisfaction scores and nationwide feedback from medical professionals, staff and residents and their acquaintances.
We were also thrilled to be ranked third overall by FORTUNE in its 2024 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Aging Services for Senior Housing and Care. To determine the rankings, FORTUNE and Great Places to Work analyzed survey feedback from more than 181,000 U.S. employees on issues from pay and benefits to personal development opportunities and collegiality. Beacon Hill was the only Michigan organization in the top 10 on this list.
In August, Beacon Hill was named a Best of Senior Care winner in Independent Living by Grand Rapids Magazine. The magazine commissioned a third party to conduct extensive research, including consulting public sources, including state and federal government sources, internet searches, media and press report and consumer ratings.
For the third year in a row, Beacon Hill has earned the certification as a Great Place to Work. The certification process involved surveying 100% of employees from across Beacon Hill’s continuum of care and evaluating more than 60 elements of team members’ experience on the job. These included employee pride in the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference and feeling their work has special meaning. We’re proud to say 94% of team members say Beacon Hill is a great place to work!
For Kennedy Nichols, Beacon Hill sparked her passion for culinary arts. Nichols joined Beacon Hill in 2022 as a server after working in a few restaurants. While she always loved food and working in restaurants, she never considered cooking until she started serving in the Garden Café. It didn’t take long for Nichols to be inspired by the chefs she works alongside and the incredible dishes they curate. Spurred by support from her team, Nichols enrolled in Grand Rapids Community College last year to pursue a degree in culinary arts.
“My biggest inspiration to cook was Chef Grace Ogas,” Nichols says. “She is just so amazing, and the way she puts out food looks so effortless. Chef Grace and quite a few chefs here went to culinary school, and they encouraged me to look into it. The team has been so nice about working around my school schedule, too. I really appreciate how supportive they’ve been — it’s such a huge help.
“I’m so glad I began cooking at Beacon Hill before starting culinary school because the experience from this job has put me ahead of so many of my classmates. I’m grateful to be able to work in such a high-level kitchen while pursuing my degree. Every day, I relate what I’m learning in school to work and vice versa.”
Since transitioning from serving, Nichols cooks on the line and has created a number of specials that have been proudly served in the Garden Café, her favorite being a Thai-inspired dish with pork meatballs, rice noodles and a coconut red curry sauce. She credits her success at Beacon Hill to her colleagues, who support her every day and give her culinary freedom to explore new dishes.
“My favorite part about working at Beacon Hill is the people,” Nichols explains. “We support each other, learn from each other and help each other get creative with our dishes.
“I love that we’re able to do so much with food here, it’s not like normal restaurants. I’ve never been part of a restaurant that goes so off-menu like we do here — it’s a huge inspiration. We have specials every day, we change the menu weekly, we use fresh, local ingredients — you just don’t see that in a lot of places. I love having access to all of that here.”
For Brandon Nequist, 1845 Dining Service Manager, describing Beacon Hill’s culture in just one sentence isn’t possible — it’s more of a feeling. With a long career in hospitality, ranging from serving and managing restaurants to helping launch new ones, Brandon immediately felt something different when he joined Beacon Hill: a deep sense of support from his colleagues.
“From my first day, Beacon Hill’s culture felt completely different than the organizations I’ve been a part of — I don’t know how else to describe it,” Nequist says. “From our inception as Michigan Christian Home to what we are now, we hold onto those core values and the golden rule: treat other people how you want to be treated. Beacon Hill leadership takes great care of our team, which results in us taking really great care of our residents. I’ve worked for a lot of restaurants where support is lacking, and that’s not the case here.”
The things that stand out most to Nequist are the strong relationships that are formed in the community and the shared commitment to Beacon Hill’s mission. Since joining the team in 2022, Nequist has worked alongside teams across all levels of care to create unexpected and memorable experiences for residents. New in 2025, he partnered with Memory Care to launch a series of culinary classes that brought residents together to cook. Residents got to make everything from crepes to cookies and pizza, and it’s been a heartwarming success.
“There’s a special camaraderie amongst all of our departments,” Nequist explains. “Everyone is always willing to collaborate and work together because we all know the charge and are working toward our mission. We’re not here for ourselves –everyone is genuinely here for our residents, which is why it’s so easy to work with each other.”
Looking back, Nequist can’t imagine being anywhere else.
“If you’d told me five years ago I’d be working for a life plan community, I wouldn’t have believed you. Now that I’m at Beacon Hill, I wish I would have started here five years earlier.”
