September 2023 REACH

Staying prepared at PPH

September is “National Preparedness Month”, a time to prioritize disaster planning and safety now and throughout the year. Preparation for any kind of disaster, from severe thunderstorms to air quality alerts that could pose a threat to the well-being of our country, our state, and our PPH family, is important to staying safe.

September was chosen as the month for preparedness because of the tragedies of September 11, 2001, which stressed the importance of readiness for any emergency. Safety preparedness is vital to ensuring everyone follows the correct protocols to maximize a positive outcome.

At PPH, we focus on safety, security, and preparedness every day. We thank Ted Cannon, the Director of Safety and Security, and his hard-working team of security officers who focus on ensuring that everyone is safe, and that everyone is informed about emergencies and/or present dangers. Ted, a former Philadelphia Police officer, has led the PPH security team for over 18 years.

The Ready Campaign’s theme for this year’s “National Preparedness Month” is preparing for older adults. The focus is to prepare adults for disasters, specifically older adults, that could be impacted by hazardous events.

It is essential that PPH residents are informed and prepared for an emergency, with the help of our security team. Ted reminds us that “During ‘National

Preparedness Month’, we practice our policies and procedures by performing drills and educating staff and residents on the importance of safety and security”. He makes sure that his officers are well-trained so they know what to do in any situation, while also giving residents assurance of their safety.

When discussing how security prepares residents for “Disaster Drill Month”, Ted stated that “Informa>>>continued on page 7, Staying prepared

Ted Cannon, Director of Safety & Security, and Jorge Rodriguez, security officer

Family Focus

PPH welcomes new social worker

PPH welcomed Kenneth Lopez to the social work team in Pathways. Ken served as an intern at PPH to complete his training, starting in August 2022. After he completed his internship, Ken graduated from Temple University with his bachelor’s degree in social work.

Ken’s main responsibility is serving as a liaison for residents to provide assistance that they may need in their day-to-day lives. He also assists with scheduling care plan appointments, discussing expectations for the residents’ daily care. An important part of his role is for helping residents adjust to changes and challenges in their lives.

Ken enjoys his role as a social worker. He is passionate about his job, which allows him to connect with residents throughout the campus. “One of the things I love about working here is that there is a strong sense of community where everyone is nice to each other”, says Ken. “It was a place that I wanted to be a part of. Even as an intern, I always felt welcomed.”

When Ken completed his internship at PPH, he received a call that would change his life, and would be hired as the new Pathways social worker. “When I got that call, I was really excited”, says Ken. He was speechless, and Human Resources wanted to make sure he was still on the phone.

When not working at PPH, Ken enjoys participating in arts and crafts, particularly drawing. He also participated in a mud sculpting class at the Community College of Philadelphia. Since he just joined PPH, he is taking everything slow, as he becomes acclimated to the environment, but hopes to pick up his hobby again.

Welcome to the PPH family, Ken!

Celebrating Aiyana Carter-Thompson’s award

On July 19, a representative from LeadingAge PA visited our campus to award Personal Care Social Worker, Aiyana Carter-Thompson, a “Professional Development Scholarship” to further her education. Congratulations, Aiyana!

Kenneth Lopez

Pictured from left: John Dubyk, PPH President & CEO, Aiyana Carter-Thompson, Personal Care Social Worker, Jennifer Honeyford, Vice President of Health Services, and Erin McDermott, LeadingAge PA Director of Workforce Solutions

Sister Jeanette’s Jubilee

by PPH resident Marge Sexton

On August 15, PPH Resident Sister Jeanette McDermott celebrated her 70year Jubilee as a Medical Mission Sister. We are happy to share a brief glimpse of her large life!

Sister Jeanette McDermott was the third child of eight. She had five sisters and two brothers, all of whom worked the farm while growing up. Jeanette learned how to milk the cows along with other farm responsibilities on the family farm in Iowa.

Perhaps influenced by the stories of Mary Knoll sisters and priests, Sister Jeanette vividly heard God’s call to work as a foreign missionary at age 13 on the family farm. Her father discouraged that dream; in the years that followed, she earned a nursing certification from the Iowa State Board of Nursing and even fell in love with a young man. However, her missionary vocation could not be denied.

While working as a nurse at Xavier Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa, she befriended a patient there who was the youngest sister of Sister Agnes Marie, one of the first four members of a new religious community called the Medical Mission Sisters. It was where a young Sister Jeanette first heard of a vibrant new group of religious women called to serve in missions worldwide.

In February of 1951, Jeanette left Iowa at age 25, crying all the way to Chicago without her father’s blessing on her vocation. After a two-day journey, she arrived in Philadelphia and was welcomed to the Medical Mission Sisters community on Pine Road in Fox Chase. In February of 1953, she took her vows, along with 12 other young women from various locations in Philadelphia and beyond.

Sister Jeanette served as a nurse midwife and hospital administrator in India for over 25 years. Upon arrival there, she went to meet the people in the villages to find pregnant women because women and children were dying at home due to lack of medical care and unsanitary conditions. She learned the Hindi language to educate them about their bodies and babies, and pleaded with them to come to the hospital in Mandar to deliver their babies. A three-day stay there cost the equivalent of $1.00. Her responsibilities in India included religious formation of a novitiate to train Indian women in nursing so they could continue the work of the Medical Mission Sisters.

Because her responsibilities included visiting seven different MMS medical facilities, she criss-crossed India by train, traveling third class with the lowest caste people so she could learn their Hindi language. She also learned their customs and were ever curious about this woman in white who came there to work in this land where women had no agency of their own, only through their husbands or fathers. The people practiced Animism, the belief that everything possesses a soul and spirit. Sister Jeanette embraced aspects of those beliefs and incorporated them into her own Catholic spirituality.

Sister Jeanette loved the Indian culture and was happy that there were Christians, Muslims, and Hindus who all lived and celebrated together. Even amidst the poverty, she fondly remembers joyous sounds of music, laughter, and merriment that could be heard at the convent where she lived.

Upon repatriation to the U.S., Sr. Jeanette was sent to California where she served as Western District Superior for the Medical Mission Sisters in two different terms of six years, and worked for seven years as a Catholic Hospital Chaplain, and a teacher of ESL for first and second grade children of Mexican immigrants.

>>>continued on page 7, Sister Jeanette’s Jubilee

Sister Jeanette McDermott

Sister Jeanette’s family

Young Sister Jeanette

The 2023 PPH Art Show

On July 20, PPH hosted an Art Show, where residents showcased their talents, including paintings, stain glass, quilting, and other creations. (Pictured from left to right) Sue’s photography, June’s stuffed animals, MaryAnne’s origami and Carol’s canvas paintings.

Resident artist accepted for LeadingAge competition

Alpha resident, Dr. Elaine C. Grose, submitted one of her paintings to the LeadingAge PA’s “Ageless Art and Timeless Treasurers” juried competition for Pennsylvania senior living facilities in June 2023. The judges accepted the painting titled “Little Dreamer” for the exhibition.

Elaine started painting in 2020 at the encouragement of her partner, Marlene Matarazzo. Having spent her professional career as an environmental scientist, Elaine never thought about any artistic endeavor beyond designing scientific experiments. However, painting seemed to come naturally, first with still life and then abstract ideas formed in her mind.

Elaine says that painting gives her peace and centers her. Her medium of choice is acrylic on canvas. Her techniques include pour painting, large sweeping strokes and painting with a pallet knife. One of her favorite topics is outer space. The painting that won her the LeadingAge competition, “Little Dreamer”, depicts a small moon orbiting a large planet in deep space with pockets of light and color offering hope in the darkness.

The painting will be displayed with other winners on Thursday, September 14 at a gala and exhibition in Mechanicsburg, PA. After the gala, the exhibition will be on tour to various cities in Pennsylvania for a year, and will then be permanently housed at the LeadingAge PA’s Headquarters in Mechanicsburg, PA. All submissions will be showcased in a coffee table book titled “Ageless Art and Timeless Treasures”.

Congratulations Elaine!

Elaine with her painting, “Little Dreamer”

“Little Dreamer”

Bake Sale for Alzheimer's Awareness

On July 20, “Team PPH” hosted their Alzheimer’s Awareness bake sale for residents and staff. There were delicious baked goods, including cookies, donuts, cakes, and much more. All proceeds benefitted the Alzheimer’s Association

Employee of the Month: Alonna Bates

Alonna started with our Security Department at PPH August 2017. She was promoted to a corporal supervisor and has been acting as a trainer for the Security Department. Alonna provides quality service to our residents and goes that extra mile! We are happy to have her as part of the PPH family!

Congratulations Alonna!

Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes.”

Volunteer of the Month: Kate Genova

Congratulations go out to Kate Genova, Community Volunteer, who is the “Volunteer of the Month” for September 2023.

In the short time that Kate has been a PPH Volunteer, she has been a very dedicated and “eager to help” volunteer. Presently she is a cashier in Tabor Market. Kate has a great personality and really enjoys greeting and meeting all the customers who come into our market. She is a member of Silver Sneakers in our Wellness Center.

We are so grateful to Kate for choosing PPH, and for donating her time to us.

NEWS BRIEFS

★ COVID-19 protocols for visitors: Masks are no longer required by staff, residents, or visitors while on our campus, and employees are not required to wear masks when interacting with residents. Residents, employees, and visitors may continue wearing masks if they feel comfortable. Masks and PPE will still be required in some cases of isolation or if there is a significant concern for serious illness. Please advise your guests to refrain from visiting if they feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19.

★ Food Collection: The PPH Food Drive — a 2021 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service Project — will continue indefinitely, as long as PPH's neighbors are in need of food. Food will be collected the last week of the month, and then will be delivered the first day of the following month. There will be two collection sites: the vending machine area, located near the Wellness Center, and in front of the Security office. For more information, call Tom Sexton at ext. 8368.

★ Trips:  Fees for trips are now added to each resident's monthly bill (NO CASH). If you'd like to cancel, you must call the Business Office (ext. 8010) to have the trip fee removed.

★ Independent Living Residents Association:

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 18 at 2 p.m. in the Social Hall.

*(If subject to COVID-19 restrictions, this will broadcast on channel 7)

★ PPH Auxiliary: The Auxiliary's next meeting will be held in the Social Hall, and broadcast on PPH TV channel 7 on Tuesday, September 12 at 11:30 a.m.

Membership in the PPH Auxiliary is open to PPH residents, staff, and community supporters (only $5 per year). Dating back to its origins as the PPH Ladies Aid Society in 1889, the Auxiliary continues its initiatives to support the heart of PPH's fundraising mission, Benevolent Care, as well as supporting staff/ resident gratitude activities. Contact Auxiliary President Patricia Coyne at cameo1200@gmail.com or 8403 to become a member or for more information.

★ Bocce Ball: We are excited to announce the return of Bocce Ball! If anyone is interested, we will be on the bocce court every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Come on down for some friendly competition. Contact Kathy Nucero at ext. 8505 for any questions.

★ TED Talks: See the September calendar.

★ Veterans’ Meeting: The September Veterans’ meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 5, at 10 a.m. in the Learning Center. If you have not provided your photos for the Veterans video, please bring them with you to the meeting. Please contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8031 with any questions.

★ Volunteer Opportunities:

Our Volunteer Department is always looking for new volunteers. If you are interested in any volunteer opportunities, please contact Carol Cherrington at ext. 8027.

★ PPH Cornhole Tournament:

Join us on Thursday, September 21 in the Social Hall for our Cornhole Tournament for the Alzheimer’s Association. It is $10.00 to join, and you sign up by going to the Business Office. Sign-ups start September 11, and all benefits will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please contact Kathy Nurcero at ext. 8505 for more information.

★ Patriot Day Flag Raising:

On Monday, September 11, we will be hosting a flag raising in honor of 9/11. The event will take place at the Gateway Flagpole at 10:30 a.m., with the Philadelphia Fire Department, Philadelphia Police Department, Burholme EMS and PPH security being there. If you have any questions, please contact Bill Conaway at ext. 8031.

The grand re-opening of the Gift Shop

From July 24 – July 30, the gift shop was closed temporarily due to renovations. On Monday, July 31, we held our grand re-opening. These changes included the register being moved, merchandise being placed in different locations, and new shirts for sale. It was open from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

>>>Staying prepared, continued from page 1

tion is provided for residents so they can prepare themselves for the drills.” In addition, Ted is available to speak to residents at their floor meetings or any gatherings they might have to provide training.

One of Ted’s essential duties as Director of Safety and Security is to ensure his officers are well-trained to carry out disaster procedures. A recent example in August was an instance of a severe thunderstorm along with a tornado warning for Philadelphia County. PPH security was stationed in the parking lots and if a tornado did approach, a “code white” would be issued on the intercom and our Alert Media Communication system. Staff would then assist residents with evacuating their apartments and keep them away from windows.

Having an emergency supply kit is essential for any kind of emergency

“National Preparedness Month” is a great reminder for everyone to take the best precautions they can during any kind of disaster. Thanks to Ted’s leadership, residents and staff are prepared for emergencies when and if they occur either at PPH or outside of our campus.

For more information or questions regarding security at PPH, contact Ted Cannon at 215-697-8045.

>>>Sister Jeanette’s

Jubilee,

continued from page 3

While in California, she negotiated and managed the $2 million sale of a property called Marymeade in Los Altos, California in 1975. The property was left as a gift to the MMS community and the money was used to pay the U.S. government for back taxes some of the sisters owed. This enabled them to be eligible for government benefits such as Medicaid, and future healthcare and housing. Marymeade is now a city park.

Sister Jeanette believes she was born for nursing and contemplation. Here at PPH, she leads the prayerful life of a mystic and an intellectual. She takes power walks outside every day, exploring every part of the PPH campus, and is an accomplished golfer and a competitive bocce player.

Reflections

Greetings!

If you’ve attended PPH’s Thanksgiving services, you may be aware of Lawncrest Ministerium. Lawncrest Ministerium was composed of local pastors who gathered monthly to mutually encourage each other. The value here is that a wider relational context can help us to have a more refined self-understanding of our own social/cultural location. Pastor Jack Price has facilitated the monthly Lawncrest Ministerium gatherings, and this group for years has come to extend the table to local non-profit administrators and various social services organizations. This meant that the group wasn’t solely composed of Christian clergy anymore.

I “inherited” the role of facilitating this group’s meetings when I came to PPH. In the past year, I learned to collaborate with Rabbi August and PPH’s Jewish residents. Eventually Lawncrest Ministerium’s table was extended to those who represented faiths other than Christianity. A couple of months ago, Lawncrest Ministerium unanimously voted to rename this fellowship as North East Interfaith Coalition. (NEIC) According to the Chaplaincy Institute, “Interfaith is both a philosophy and a practice of living in harmony with all of Earth and each other at this critical time in our world.”

Many years ago, I thought interfaith meant dilution of my faith practice. It turns out that I am less selfaware as a Christian when I live in an isolated theological bubble. The South African philosophy of ubuntu (“I am, because you are.”) is a helpful framework of knowing. For example, I discovered new things about myself as a husband through 16 years of marriage that I would not have otherwise known about myself. I discovered new things about myself as a father through 14 years of parenting that I would not have otherwise known about myself. I discovered new things about myself as a clergy through 12 years of pastoral ministry. I discovered what I didn’t know about myself as a chaplain here at PPH. In other words new relational context increases and refines our own self-understanding. My faith did not get diluted as my relational contexts became wider. While working with people who practice different faiths at times made me I realize, “Ah! So this is what makes my worldview distinctly shaped by Jesus.” A freshwater fish doesn’t know what freshwater is – until it gets a taste of saltwater. Interfaith relational contexts sharpen all of us, as we dare to understand one another.

As we live in a world that recognizes diversity, Northeast Interfaith Coalition will seek to increase and widen our relational context. With wider relational contexts, we will better respond in times of need for peace.

Pastor Peter Ahn Director of Pastoral Services

THE PPH MISSION

Guided by Christian values, the mission of The Philadelphia Protestant Home is to provide a caring senior living community that affords its residents the opportunity to achieve their highest possible quality of life.