Foundations: Fall 2022

FALL 2022

PIONEERCARE

FOUNDATIONS

An Idea is Born

The Kevin Bacon of Senior Care Just a few years ago, I hadn’t through Friday. Direct dependents really seen a connection between of Pioneer employees (Pioneer Care access to childcare and access to Center, Pioneer Cottages, Pioneer elder care. Indeed, we’re connected.

Pointe, and PioneerLink) have priority Remember the Six Degrees placement. If capacity allows, of Kevin Bacon? It was a popular PioneerKids may accept children party game in which players identified from the greater community. a random Hollywood actor and While PioneerKids operates linked them to actor Kevin Bacon in under a special family-based license, six connections or less. For Pioneer, it offers many benefits of a larger childcare is like Kevin Bacon in just childcare center, such as backup three degrees: staffing to prevent closures due to 1. Lack of childcare keeps some provider vacation, training, and sick Steve Guttormson PioneerCare employees from days. Creative work scheduling can doing the work they love. help fit PioneerCare employees’ 2. Those employees become part of the workforce childcare needs, for example, by splitting a spot between shortage we’re experiencing and in turn, two employees who each work only 2-3 weekdays.

3. The workforce shortage limits Pioneer’s capacity In the brief time it’s been open, PioneerKids is to serve the needs of older adults. already making a difference. With its location on the PioneerCare campus, the commute to work is simpler, While causes of the workforce shortage are multiple, employees have easy access to their children during limited access to childcare is one major barrier for working breaks or in case the parent or guardian is needed, parents with young children. The newest data shows that and children have intergenerational opportunities in Fergus Falls alone, 86 percent of children under with Pioneer residents for activities and socialization. five years old have all parents working. That’s 1001 The stark reality is that PioneerKids will face children. At the same time, total licensed childcare economic challenges. Even with careful planning and capacity in Fergus Falls is just 497 children. watchful stewardship of resources, the program is A survey we completed in March 2022 identified a anticipated to operate at a loss. For that reason, the strong need for childcare among PioneerCare employee PioneerCare Foundation has pledged its support. families. While some parents were satisfied with current Your donation to the Foundation in any amount arrangements, most said they’d prefer a different option is sincerely appreciated and it will carry us closer to or hadn’t been able to find suitable childcare. Employees our goal in providing affordable and sustainable care indicated a strong preference for on-site childcare. for working families. By supporting PioneerKids PioneerCare is presenting a solution. PioneerKids Childcare, you’re connected. offers early drop-off to accommodate day shift hours, serving children from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday

2

A Note from Nathan well DATIONS, I hope you are UN FO of ue iss is th e iv As you rece s. ur family and friend yo ith w on as se ll Fa iliar and and enjoying the ere is something fam Th . ar ye of e tim ul It is a beautif e care gather with people w e W . on as se t es rv e for good about fall ha mmon goal. It is a tim co a e ar sh e w m ho ors, and about, and with w t of assisting neighb ac e th s, op cr l ra ltu homever gathering in agricu However and with w d. el yi ul tif un bo a ion and the anticipation of sense God’s provis u yo pe ho I e, tim you spend your ve in blessing in your life. eat people who belie gr ith w d se es bl e ar we e we serve, Here at PioneerCare ist-like way for thos hr C a in e lif of worth. ity ote qual dividual dignity and in on s this mission, to prom ay w al g sin cu e pandemic. e and holistic care, fo es exacerbated by th ng le al by providing divers ch ce fa ill st PioneerKids assisted livings thrilled to introduce e Nursing homes and ar e W . ns tio lu so is our our energy to finding derful results, and it on w d de el Nonetheless, we turn yi y ad re al s d fathers employee benefit ha d retain mothers an an t ac tr to our campus. This at to ue in nt can enjoy oneerKids we can co ls. If that means they na sio es hope that through Pi of pr re ca th al rable choice to be he who make the hono be it!

Church their child, then so ith w k ea br h Evangelical Lutheran nc e lu th r of thei n tio za ni ga d that ial ministry or the image of God, an in PioneerCare is a spec e ad m is al du vi di eryone We believe every in Our goal is to help ev . us g on in America (ELCA). am ts ul ad le e the most vulnerab we are called to serv gredients to ell. ity support are key in un m m live exceptionally w co ng ro st d ntributions. anagement an e of you for your co We believe careful m on ch ea to u yo k an g up this mission. Th our success in liftin everything. year-end your support mean d an ip sh nd ie er a tax-deductible fr id ur ns Yo co se ea pl , 22 xt time quarter of 20 stop in for a visit ne As we enter the last n, tio di ad In n. tio ence PioneerCare Founda sitors and your pres vi r fo financial gift to the en op e ar e W the neighborhood. you find yourself in day! would brighten our With gratitude, Nathan Johnson, CEO

3

FOUNDATIONS Have you ever had an idea, one that rolls around in your head and keeps coming back as something that might really be a good thing? Then you let it slide for a bit because it seems overwhelming, or you just don’t know where to begin and move forward? It seems we’ve all been there, no matter the size or scope of our “good idea.” Pioneer is no exception, but their “good idea” is now a reality. In this issue, we are so pleased to introduce you to PioneerKids!

“We started talking about the need for childcare for our employees way back in 2018, and then again in 2020,” said Patti Fandrich, human resources director at PioneerCare. “The topic came up time and time again as we knew it affected the worker shortage. We had employees either leave, work less time, or change shift schedules just to manage their need for childcare.

Most often when they changed to overnight shifts to be at home with their kids during the day, it didn’t last long. Those kinds of hours just don’t always work with family relationships.”

The need was evident, but like any good idea, it seemed overwhelming. “It was hard to get past where to begin,” said Steve Guttormson, marketing and development director at PioneerCare. ”Patti’s prodding helped give us the permission to seriously start digging into it. From there, we just kept putting pieces together one step at a time. We

Work and Family Bala needed to move ahead or put the idea into the drawer for the last time.

We knew this idea was too good to be put into a drawer.”

Last February, Patti started a focus group of employees to help identify what Pioneer was doing well Lisa Votaw and what changes could build and strengthen the workforce at Pioneer. “At our first meeting,” said Patti, “we identified a number of ideas, but they didn’t seem like things that would really make the necessary difference. Two gentlemen in the group piped up and asked us to talk about the real problem and that’s childcare. Surprisingly, these guys didn’t even have kids, but recognized our problem with an enthusiasm to make positive changes.”

So how does a long term care provider go about opening a childcare facility? “We knew we had the perfect space in an empty Pioneer Cottage,” explained Steve, “but we had a lot of pieces we had to whittle into place.” Thankfully, the idea was met with overwhelming support from the Board of Directors and PioneerKids was set in motion.

“It’s a little out of the ordinary for childcare and long term care to come together,” said Steve, “and for us it’s a new venture. We’re challenging the system a bit. We’re the first employer in the area to

PIONEERkids 4

ance

By Mary Dolan

do something like this and it’s been a learning curve to make it work.”

With space available due to staffing shortages, it seemed the primary piece of the puzzle had fallen into place. “It’s an easy space to use for childcare,” said Steve.

“When the licenser came in to inspect, almost everything we needed was already in place. It offered a perfect home-like environment with all the necessary things like sprinkler systems and an approved kitchen. We didn’t have to remodel; the space was perfect for a childcare.”

As expected, employees were truly excited.

“Employees were super excited to hear it had been approved,” said Patti, “and I had two applications for kids to be enrolled within minutes of the announcement.”

Next was to find a perfectly suited childcare professional to run PioneerKids. “We needed the best quality person in this position,” explained Patti, “to provide the very best care for our employees’ kids.

Like other pieces, this fell into place, too. We hired long time childcare professional, Lisa Votaw, and we knew she was the perfect fit.”

Lisa has been a licensed Childcare Provider for more than 26 years. “When they said I had come highly recommended by people,“ said Lisa, “that was pretty nice to know. It was an honor to know I’m well respected in this field. We talked about it and prayed about it as a family, and we knew it was right.

Manager of PioneerKids sounded like a big job, but I’m so excited about this new venture. How cool to have aging residents and little kids be able to interact with each other!”

Lisa has always loved doing childcare. “I just love these kids,” she said, “I get rewarded with hugs and kisses every day! I’ve been at it for 26 years and now my mind is just spinning about all the possibilities

Onsite childcare like PioneerKids offers endless opportunities for intergenerational connections.

at PioneerKids.” Lisa has always offered a pre-school kind of education to her kids and intends to carry that model into PioneerKids. “I think we have a real gem here,” said Lisa, “we just need to polish it into the perfect program to support Pioneer staff.”

PioneerKids can offer on-site childcare services for up to thirteen children – infants, toddlers, and preschoolers – in the Homestead Cottage. Now open, PioneerCare employees have an on-site childcare option just steps away from their workplace.

“From the moment I walked into the courtyard at the PioneerKids space,” said Lisa, “I could see sidewalk chalking, bubble play and bike riding.

Residents will be able to watch our kids at play and I think that’s amazing. I’m exploding with ideas to bring fun for the kids and put smiles on the faces of PioneerCare residents. I see Halloween parades and holiday programs and so much more. This is going to be so much fun. I’ve imagined kids singing songs and residents singing along. We can respect their spaces but allow them to watch and enjoy.” continued on the next page

5

Lisa’s transition from home childcare provider to PioneerKids Manager was seamless. “It was hard for me to say goodbye to all my childcare families,” she explained, “but they all found new childcare and they were so supportive for my new endeavor. I even had a PioneerCare nurse on my wait list and now I get to care for her kids at PioneerKids. My excitement for this new program is overtaking my sadness of saying goodbye to families. There are so many possibilities ahead and Ashley Sortland and family I am so excited for this future!”

Speaking of excited for the future, allow us to introduce Ashley Sortland, Trained Medication Aide, who is taking advantage of the new PioneerKids program. “I’ve worked for PioneerCare for three years and I had switched to evenings and night shifts because of childcare issues,” Ashley said, “something I thought would make it easier on my family. It was hard to miss out on evenings with my family, but it was the best I could do being faced with childcare headaches. It was also a challenge to work nights and then have a three-year-old child to care for during the day. It wasn’t an easy situation. But then I found out about PioneerKids and I’m excited to say my son is now one of the first kids in this great new program!”

The schedule for PioneerKids works perfectly with the schedules of PioneerCare staff. “I’ll work from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and have the peace of mind knowing my son is just steps away,” said Ashley, “it’s just so handy! This new program provides so many opportunities for people to move to a full-time position. When they couldn’t find childcare at 6:00 a.m., it was impossible, but now we have PioneerKids.

6

I just know this will make a difference. It will allow more people to get back into the workforce and that’s so important right now!”

Ashley said PioneerKids has provided her with a much-improved work and family balance. “Just getting a full night’s sleep has been so great,” said Ashley, “I guess I never knew how important it was to get enough sleep. I know there are a lot of other moms in my shoes who will now have an opportunity to pursue their careers here at Pioneer and at the same time, rest easy knowing their kiddos are under the best care just next door. It’s just one more example of how Pioneer has shown their employees how much they care about us and our family’s well-being.”

It seems that idea back in 2018 was never meant to be put in a drawer. Rather, it became reality and a much-appreciated addition to the family of Pioneer.

In the time I’ve been writing these feature articles for Pioneer, I’ve seen this over and over again. Pioneer has always been so forward thinking. They’ve always been looking ahead to whatever would best serve their residents and staff. I guess it’s all in the name as they’ve long been a “Pioneer” searching for the next great idea to serve this community. Welcome, PioneerKids!

PioneerKids is supported in part by a Childcare Education Capacity Grant through West Central Initiative.

Auxiliary Opens Gift Shop PioneerCare Auxiliary members and the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the Dragonfly Gift Shop with a ribbon-cutting in June. The Dragonfly is the brainchild of Liane Barton, PioneerCare’s longtime volunteer and activities director, and staff liaison to the PioneerCare Auxiliary. Liane passed away in October 2017, but her dream lived on.

Thanks to generous donations honoring Liane’s memory, the Dragonfly gift shop has become reality. Proceeds from sales in the Dragonfly support resident needs through the PioneerCare Auxiliary, needs that cannot be fulfilled through PioneerCare’s operational funds.

HOW TO DONATE PioneerCare Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 organization welcoming outright contributions, planned gifts, memorial or honorary donations, and legacy gifts to support and enhance life at PioneerCare.

Now more than ever, we appreciate those who are counted among our friends standing with us to serve the most vulnerable in our community. Together, we engage in the mission of PioneerCare through monetary support.

Donate by Mail to: PioneerCare Foundation Attention: Steve Guttormson 1131 Mabelle Avenue S Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Farewell to Summer; Hello to Fall

Donate Online: Go to pioneercare.org/donate or scan this code with your smartphone for direct access to our childcare fundraising project.

Countless summer activities brought Pioneer residents together for worship, concerts, outdoor events, and more. Thanks to our local Let’s Go Fishing chapter, some enjoyed being on the lake. A mindful move to in-person activities continues this fall and winter. For details, simply ask for an activities calendar.

On the cover: Vonnie and Londyn become friends through PioneerKids.

7

PioneerCare Pioneer Home, Inc. 1131 Mabelle Avenue S. Fergus Falls, MN 56537

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PIONEERcare Corporate Board Jeff Ackerson Lowell Brenna Suzanne Demuth Bonnie Denzel, Vice Chairperson Joe Ellig Janet Freeman Dean Monke, Secretary John Sethre Brandi Sillerud, Treasurer Brad Tollerson, Chairperson Peggy Underwood

Foundation Board Leslie Flugstad Jennifer Frank Janel Fredericksen Bruce Gerhardson Lorri Holt, Vice Chairperson Tom Kingston, Treasurer Patricia Lindholm Renae Rasmusson Hans Ronnevik, Chairperson J.P. Stender David Strom, Secretary

Auxiliary Board Honey Anderson Jean Blondeau Elle Habberstad Jackie Klinnert Barb Lorsung Joyce Nerdahl, President Carol Pocta, Co-Secretary Pamela Schroden Ardis Searles Lois Stinogel, Co-Secretary Donna Toso, Treasurer Norma Worden Julie Erlandson, Staff Auxiliary Liaison

Foundations is a publication of the Pioneer Foundation to inform friends, supporters and stakeholders of PioneerCare.

For questions, comments, or address corrections, please contact Steve Guttormson, Foundation Director, at 218.998.1501 or email steveg@pioneercare.org. Mary Dolan and Steve Guttormson, Editors; and Beth Hagemeister, Graphic Design.

PioneerCare is an equal opportunity employer and provider.