FEBRUARY 2026
A Day On, Not Off: Celebrating MLK’s Legacy
PPH held its 8th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2026. Three student-leaders and a teacher from nearby Northeast High School joined for a “day off that they made a day on,” sharing reflections on Rev. Dr. King’s life and legacy.
PPH residents and team members also shared their perspectives on service, community, and keeping Rev. Dr. King’s vision alive.
This year, our residents' service project, "Joy of Books," supported Rhawnhurst Elementary School's mobile library. And in return, students donated gift bags full of
snacks and other goodies. (PPH has a long tutoring partnership with Ms. Collins, a Kindergarten teacher at
Rhawnhurst.)
For more from this event, please visit our Facebook page.
PPH resident Mildred Fleury celebrated her 100th birthday in January with a cheerful gathering in PPH's Social Hall, surrounded by family, friends and neighbors.
Neighbors from her floor sang "Ain't She Sweet," one of Mildred's favorite songs from the "Roaring Twenties."
State Representative Anthony Bellmon (right) stopped by to present Mildred with a citation as did Kevin Rigney (left) on behalf of State Senator Christine Tartaglione.
To read more on her milestone celebration and her secrets to living to 100, featured in the Northeast Times, click here!
Five PPH staff members awarded Schea Scholarships
Congratulations to the five recipients of the 2025 Eberhard and Helen Schea Endowment Fund for Healthcare Education Scholarship!
Each recipient shared that support from the Schea Scholarship helps alleviate the financial burden of higher education while allowing them to gain the knowledge and skills needed to further PPH’s mission of providing a caring senior living community where residents can achieve their highest possible quality of life.
Meet the 2025 Scholarship Recipients
Vincent Barrett
Wellness Coordinator
Vincent is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting at Temple University. He understands the importance of having a concrete life plan and strong financial safeguards, which has inspired his goal of becoming a Retirement Financial Manager.
Karenjoy Camba Recreation Therapy Specialist
Karenjoy is pursuing a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at Drexel University. She aspires to work clinically with the aging population and expand her expertise in dementia and memory care through evidence-based research.
Karenjoy strives to create positive, welcoming experiences in geriatric settings and make communities less intimidating for those who may feel wary.
Maria Raheem Ayotunde
LPN-PC
Maria is enrolled in an LPN-to-RN program at Berkeley College. She views healthcare as a calling — to serve, heal and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
Advancing her nursing education will further enhance her ability to serve the PPH community.
Marette Spencer
CNA-PC
Marette is taking courses toward earning her Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) certification, further strengthening her professional skills in long-term care.
Medjina Stephar
Human Resources Generalist
Medjina is earning her MBA in Human Resources Management at Temple University. Medjina prides herself on being an advocate for fair workplace practices, she is deeply committed to advancing PPH’s mission by fostering a culture of compassion, inclusion and employee development.
The Eberhard and Helen Schea Endowment Fund for Healthcare Education was established in 2007 to support continuing Healthcare education programs, which promotes the overall well-being of PPH residents and staff. Since its inception, 35 employees have been awarded scholarships with a total value of $46,630.
The fund is named in honor of longtime PPH supporters, donors, and residents, Mr. Eberhard “Ebbie” and Mrs. Helen Schea. Ebbie was the manager of the PPH Board of Pensions and an emeritus member of the PPH Board of Directors, while Helen was a member of the PPH Auxiliary. The Scheas’ children, Fred Schea and his wife, Kathleen; and the late Caroline Schea Lloyd and her husband, Jim, established the endowment to honor their parents’ memory and continue the family tradition of generosity.
• To view REACH, visit PPHFamily.org and click REACH Newsletter under the About menu.
• For News and REACH archives, click Press & News under the About menu on the PPH website.
• You can also view current and past editions of REACH by visiting the PPH Library, Learning Center or Tech Center (across from Tabor Market). Icons are located on each computer's desktop.
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Eberhard and Helen Schea
Left to right: Vincent Barrett, Karenjoy Camba, Maria Raheem Ayotunde, Marette Spencer and Medjina Stphar.
Maintenance team member recognized for helping hand
Yvette DeVictoria of PPH's Maintenance team was recognized as a PPH Guardian Angel in January! She was honored by PPH residents Helen McBride and Carol Starling-Love for her kind demeanor, expertise and willingness to help ensure that their aparments are a comfortable place to call home.
"Always responsive to my (and others’) requests, Yvette is patient, kind and very skilled," said Helen. "She has been an invaluable help to me in setting up and organizing my apartment, so it truly is my home!"
Yvette is no stranger to the PPH Guardian Angel program — this marks her fifth recognition since its inception in 2018!
"Yvette, on behalf of the PPH Board of Directors, leadership, residents and team members, we thank you for your hard work and dedication to our residents. That is what is important to us every day — our care and compassion," said Senior Director of Advancement Marianna Calabrese.
Recognize Someone Special
If you are a resident who is interested in recognizing a team member, or a resident-family member who wants to express your gratitude and appreciation for the compassion a team member has shown your loved one, contact Senior Director of Advancement Marianna Calabrese at 215-697-8508 or mcalabrese@pphfamily.org.
Employee of the Month: Andrew Denelsbeck
Congratulations to Andrew Denelsbeck on being named PPH Employee of the Month!
Andrew plays a key role in making PPH a great place to work and live. His dedication, hard work, and positive attitude inspire those around him each day. PPH is grateful for the difference he makes through his commitment and excellence.Thank you for doing “Whatever it takes!"
Where to Find Us?
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PPH Website - pphfamily.org
Volunteer of the Month: Elizabeth Coyne
Congratulations to Elizabeth Coyne, who is PPH's Volunteer of the Month!
Elizabeth is a dedicated community volunteer, who visits PPH every week to help in Pathways' Recreational Therapy department. She helps to transport the residetns for entertainment and Bingo and also with many activities throughout the year. Thanks so much Elizabeth for all you do — you are an asset to PPH's volunteer program.
Yvette DeVictoria (right) was honored as a Guardian Angel by resident Helen McBride (left) and Carol StarlingLove (not pictured).
Reflections — The Importance of Effective Listening
By Pastor Earl Scott PPH Chaplain
As we move into February, a month often associated with love, connection, and attention to one another, it’s a good time to reflect on a simple question: How well do we listen? Listening is more than hearing words—it’s about truly understanding the person speaking.
While sleeping in the temple, God calls Samuel three times. Each time, Samuel runs to the priest Eli, believing Eli is calling him Eli realizes it is the Lord calling the boy and instructs Samuel on how to respond, transforming his confusion into a focused, attentive posture.
• Interrupting: Cutting others off suggests low value for their input.
• Judging: Evaluating content before fully understanding it.
• Emotional Filters: Listening through personal biases rather than objective understanding.
How can we improve our listening skills?
Most people listen at only about 25 percent efficiency, meaning we may forget or distort 75 percent of what we hear. Studies indicate that 50 percent of information is forgotten immediately, increasing to 97 percent within a week. Sometimes, we listen with the intent to reply rather than to understand.
In 1 Samuel 3, the boy Samuel, serving in the temple under Eli, learns to listen to God’s voice. Initially confusing God’s call for Eli’s, he patiently follows guidance to respond, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening". This obedience marks him as a faithful prophet, hearing difficult messages and obeying.
Following Eli’s instructions, Samuel replies to the fourth call with: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening".
Samuel receives a difficult, humbling message regarding judgment on Eli's family. Despite fear, he faithfully tells Eli everything God said, establishing him as a trustworthy servant.
This pivotal moment marks the beginning of Samuel's role as a prophet, illustrating that true listening leads to obedience and a closer relationship with God.
What are some barriers to effective listening?
• Multitasking: Engaging with devices, checking email, or not focusing directly on the speaker.
Celebrate Black History Month at PPH
By Carol Drummond PPH resident
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) honors Dr. Carter G. Woodson's 1926 launch of " Negro History Week" which later became Black History Month (BHM). For 2026 ASALH has set the theme for
BHM "A Century of Black History Commemorations."
Black History Month 2026 encourages all of us to honor the countless Black Americans whose courage shaped our nation's story. As we explore the achievements in art, science, politics and culture, let us reflect on the ongoing fight for equality and justice for all.
• Be Present: Focus on the speaker without distraction (put away phones).
• Active Engagement: Use nonverbal cues like nodding, maintaining eye contact, and offering encouragement.
• Suspend Judgment: Listen to understand, not to criticize or fix the problem.
• Reflect and Paraphrase: Summarize what you heard to check for accuracy, which demonstrates care and ensures understanding.
• The 70/30 Rule: Aim to listen 70 percent of the time and talk 30 percent.
Effective listeners make the speaker feel heard and understood, which builds trust and improves relationships.
At PPH, we continue to celebrate Black History Month year after year, focusing on ASALH 's official themes and holding events that highlights those core values.
For events, activities and movie gatherings, please see the IL calendar, PPH channels 2 and 4 and bulletin boards.
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.