On the Forefront | December 2025

ON THE FOREFRONT NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2025

THE BEST OF 2025

Click each photo below to see a Forefront Living highlight from each month of this year.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

AT THE FOREFRONT: GROWING UP WITH OPAL LEE In this episode of At the Forefront, we sat down with the Grandmother of Juneteenth, Dr. Opal Lee. During this powerful interview, Dr. Lee talks about the childhood experiences that shaped her lifelong mission for justice. Read more. Watch video.

YOUTUBE CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Click here to see the list of winners. Thank you to everyone who participated!

FOREFRONT LIVING

FAITH KIDS SHARES HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

For most, the holidays bring a sense of joyful anticipation. But for those grieving the loss of a close family member, the season can feel very different.

We sat down with Chrissy Wittchen, a mom of two young children and a new Faith Kids program participant, and Nelson West, a five-year Faith Kids volunteer. Both spoke from the heart about what the Faith Kids program means to them.

Read more. Watch video.

SAVE THE DATE: FPH WINTER MEMORIAL Join Faith Presbyterian Hospice (FPH) for a music-filled program to honor a lost loved one and light a candle in their memory. Guests are invited to stay after the program and enjoy light refreshments and fellowship. Seating is limited.

Saturday, January 24 | 10 - 11 a.m.

Charlotte and Don Test Spiritual Care Center Located inside the T. Boone Pickens Hospice Center Contact the FPH Bereavement Coordinator at (214) 355-3921 to RSVP by January 9. Click here for details.

TEAMMATE SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMER SCHWARTZ Summer Schwartz joined Faith Presbyterian Hospice (FPH) in June of 2025. In her role as Admissions Manager, she oversees the hospice admissions process, making sure every referral is handled with compassion, accuracy and receives prompt communication.

Summer also supports the FPH intake team and admission nurses, providing a smooth experience to families transitioning to FPH services. She is passionate about supporting patients and families during one of the most challenging times in their lives. Read more.

RABBI

FAITH PRESBYTERIAN HOSPICE

CURTIS AND PATRICIA MEADOWS SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORTS PVN YOGA PROGRAM When Shannon Radford steps into a yoga studio, she is thinking far beyond a single class. As the Director of Wellness for Presbyterian Village North (PVN), Shannon sees an opportunity to give residents a deeper way to move, breathe and find balance. This year, she began a 200 hour Yoga Alliance teacher training program through Yoga Daña in Wylie, made possible through the Curtis and Patricia Meadows Scholarship Program. These scholarships help PVN teammates further their education and bring new skills back to the community. Read more.

INTENTIONAL PROGRAMMING BEHIND FAITH KIDS With charitable grant support from the Eluna Network, secured by the Forefront Living Foundation, Faith Kids hosted the “Great Gingerbread Bash,” a holidaythemed Camp Erin experience designed for children and their families navigating the loss of a close loved one. With more than 30 children in attendance, the event provided a day of reflection while incorporating lots of holiday cheer. Every activity was thoughtfully designed to help families remember, grieve and celebrate together. Read more.

EMM RECAP FEATURED ON MY SWEET CHARITY The Each Moment Matters (EMM) luncheon was recently featured on the blog, My Sweet Charity, highlighting keynote speaker Joe Lando and his personal experience with grief after the devasting loss of his home and all of his belongings because of the California Wildfires earlier this year. Read more.

FOREFRONT LIVING FOUNDATION

OAW, A LOCAL RESOURCE FOR DEMENTIA SUPPORT During the holidays, many of us spend time with loved ones we don’t often see throughout the year.

These gatherings may reveal relatives who are experiencing cognitive changes or showing early signs of dementia. The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is here to help. Read more. Watch video.

OAW RESIDENTS SPREAD HOLIDAY WARMTH TO PLANO PETS Residents at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), warmed hearts and paws this holiday season!

Every other Friday morning, a group of Assisted Living residents, along with a few OAW teammates, gather for “Cozy Creations,” where they make no-sew fleece blankets for furry friends at the Plano Animal Shelter. These crafty residents also baked homemade dog biscuits to include with the blankets, causing tongues (and tails) to wag! The pet-friendly donation haul included 13 blankets and 50 treat bags. Read more. Watch news clip.

OAW BRIGHTENS SEASON THROUGH PLANO POLICE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM This season, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) residents helped local families in need by collecting items for the Plano Police Department’s Annual Christmas Cops gift drive. OAW resident, Skip Robbins, brought the program to the attention of the Community Life team who then spread the word throughout the senior living community. Residents donated more than 200 items to the cause including coats, diapers and bicycles. Read more.

THE OUTLOOK AT WINDHAVEN

PVN SUPPORTS FEED LAKE HIGHLANDS Presbyterian Village North (PVN) residents once again showed what a caring community looks like. Led by resident Dave Driscoll and supported by the PVN Village Council, this food drive grew out of an awareness of food insecurity across the nation and the strain on the SNAP program. Read more.

PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE NORTH: HOLIDAY RECAP Click each photo below to read about some of the activities Assisted Living residents enjoyed this season.

Click below to view photos from PVN’s annual Candlelight dinners.

SEW ‘N SEWS STITCH UP HOLIDAY TREASURES During the holiday season, the Sew ‘N Sews, a resident sewing group, transform their sewing room into a bustling, magical workshop, sure to make Santa’s elves jealous. They dedicate their time and talent to crafting stuffed toys, especially for children, making stuffed bears, cats, dogs and even dinosaurs. The Sew ‘N Sews go through roughly 350 pounds of stuffing each year, much of which is used to make toys for their annual holiday sale. Read more. Watch video.

PVN HOSTS 6TH ANNUAL GOBBLE HOBBLE WOBBLE Presbyterian Village North (PVN) kicked off Thanksgiving week with its 6th Annual Gobble Hobble Wobble, a tradition that brought together nearly 50 residents, teammates and family members for a morning of festive fun. Read more.

BUGLE

PRESBYTERIAN VILLAGE NORTH

BELLA VIDA SHARES HOLIDAY CHEER The Bella Vida (BV) team, along with Forefront Living leadership, welcomed 106 BV VIPs to the community’s second annual holiday celebration. The gathering was held at The Veranda and kicked off with live music during a fun cocktail hour held before the luncheon. In the spirit of giving, VIPs also brought donations for the San Antonio Food Bank, highlighting the community’s desire to give back locally. Read more.

BV CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS Construction progress at Bella Vida (BV) continues at a strong pace, bringing the San Antonio senior living community to life.

Read more.

BELLA VIDA

JOY FILLS THE HOLIDAYS AT SJV

The holiday season at St. Joseph Village (SJV) is filled with simple joys and moments shared by residents and teammates alike.

Cottage residents gathered for their annual Christmas caroling event. Familiar songs echoed through the community bringing smiles laughter and a sense of togetherness that only the season can inspire.

Read more.

ST. JOSEPH VILLAGE