“I was scared and wondering where I was going to live, for the first time in my life. I was also very depressed.”
—JESSIE CLARK
From Foster Parent to World Traveler: JESSIE CLARK’S JOURNEY OF SERVICE, STRUGGLES, & RENEWAL
Westland’s Village of Our Saviour’s Manor resident, Jessie Clark, has lived in Wayne County her entire life and had not ever left the County until recently. For over 50 of those years, she has dedicated her life to being a foster parent for children in need.
Enjoy learning about Jessie Clark’s life’s work and her path to PVM’s Village of Our Saviour’s Manor*. Jessie’s story reinforces the power of your donation to do something wonderful for an older adult that needs help and how that can also turn into the opportunity to even see more of the world!
Jessie Clark has always been and will always be a Detroiter. She was born and raised in Romulus, Michigan. “My mother was a single parent. With eight siblings, there was always a need for help. Someone in the neighborhood or the church helped us with things like
*In partnership with Wellspring Living Services
clothing, babysitting, and food. Kind people were always stepping up to help my family growing up. That is why I wanted to be a foster parent so I could help others,” says Jessie will a big smile.
Jessie and her husband, Buddy, lived in Inkster for more than 50 years raising seven children and many, many foster children along the way. Jessie had ten children living in her house during the height of her foster care. “How could my husband and I say no. Each foster child came to us in dire situations. No clothes, parents in jail or not around, to being hungry and malnourished. All needing love and continued support.”
After a few years, Jessie’s care for foster children was taken to the next level. On separate occasions the foster care program administrator called Jessie to ask for her emergency assistance. Two babies were left at different times at the hospital and needed homes. Jessie said yes and adopted both of them.
With a full household of children to care for, that left little time and extra money. Jessie and Buddy never really left the Inkster area or had anything just for themselves. “I was always busy and the money was spent, so travel was out of the question.”
Along the way, Jessie’s husband’s health started to decrease very quickly. He was suffering from an aggressive form of Dementia that caught Jessie by surprise. Buddy was admitted to a skilled nursing center. His care used up what little income they had.
Furthermore, Jessie found out her husband had forgotten to pay the property taxes for several years. “It was a shock to see what was owed. I now oversaw all the finances which I had never done. Buddy’s Social Security went to his care. I only made $650/ month through my Social Security. I was scared and wondering where I was going to live, for the first time in my life. I was also very depressed.”
After years of caring for so many in need, it was Jessie’s turn. Luckily, Jessie met the new administrator at PVM’s Our Saviour’s Manor*. The administrator talked about PVM’s Veteran Preference Program that allows Veterans to go to the top of the list to move in. Buddy was a Veteran and because of his service, Jessie moved into her new home.
“For the first time, I had extra time to focus on me. I had never traveled anywhere but had always dreamed of it.”
—JESSIE CLARK
Buddy regretfully passed and Jessie found herself in a new phase of life. She embraced her new life and newfound freedom. “For the first time, I had extra time to focus on me. I had never traveled anywhere but had always dreamed of it. However, I did not have many resources to go far. Thankfully, Our Saviour’s Manor had some donated monies in a Resident Activities Fund to assist me with my first trip outside of Detroit. The first trip was to Niagara Falls. It was amazing!” says Jessie with a big grin.
“The trip opened my eyes to the world! I now wanted to travel. My next trip was also from donations from the Activities Fund with friends from Our Saviour’s Manor to see the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. We had such a great time! My goal is to save enough money to go to Paris. I have dreamed of going to Paris since I was a child.”
“Thank you donors! Your gifts created an opportunity for me to live at The Village of Our Saviour’s Manor and to experience life outside of Inkster, Michigan. For this I am eternally grateful,” Jessie said with a tear in her eye.
Your donation to the PVM Foundation allows PVM to build wonderful, affordable/low-income housing for people just like Jessie. Older adults who have lived a life of service to others and do so much good but can’t afford housing without some assistance. The bonus was that Jessie has been able to finally see the world, through donations to the PVM Resident Activities Fund. Your donation REALLY matters! Thank you.
For more than 50 years, Jessie Clark dedicated her life to being a foster parent for children in need.
Jessie Clark and Our Saviour’s Manor Administrator, Graziella Bruner.
Shirley Houser, Resident at the Village of Redford
Joeseph Moore, Resident at the Village of Bethany Manor
Barbara Zoldos, Resident at the Village of Peace Manor
CALLING ALL FRIENDS & FAMILY —IT TAKES A VILLAGE!
FRIENDS & FAMILY - APRIL 1 TO APRIL 30
It’s Friends & Family time! When you make a gift during the month of April, you help older adults embrace the possibilities for quality living. Join our Villages with your support, today.
Your gift will help residents stay active and engaged. Hosting social activities like field trips, birthday celebrations, and physical activities go a long way to combating social isolation.
Designate your gift to your favorite Village and you could help unlock an additional $5,000 match, multiplying the impact of your generosity.
Make your gift today by:
• Visiting pvmf.org/friendsandfamily to give online
• Using the form below or the enclosed reply envelope
• Calling the PVM Foundation at 248-281-2040
Your gift today means more laughter, joy and health for an older adult.
Your past Friends & Family support has brought joy and health for older adults. Thank you!
Will you join us, today?
YOUR CONTRIBUTION COULD HELP UNLOCK AN ADDITIONAL $5,000 MATCH
MULTIPLYING THE IMPACT OF YOUR GENEROSITY!
DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GIVE PVMF.ORG/FRIENDSANDFAMILY
FRIENDS
SUPPORT LOCALLY - FRIENDS AND FAMILY APRIL 1 - 30
I would like to support a Village(s): ❍ Here is my gift of: $_______________________________________
To donate: call us at 248-281-2040, visit pvmf.org/friendsandfamily or use the reply envelope enclosed with this newsletter.
JOINING YOU IN EMBRACING THE POSSIBILITIES
Happy Spring!
Hi, I’m Sandy and I recently joined the PVM team as the Director of Donor Engagement. I have the privilege of supporting donors who have made – or are interested in making – a gift beyond their lifetime to help older adults embrace the possibilities at PVM.
A Bit About Me
• Experiencing every season is one of my favorite things about living in Michigan.
• I’ve dedicated my 25+ year career to helping people, like you, realize their hopes, dreams, and aspirations through philanthropy.
• My favorite parts of the job are building relationships and seeing the joy people feel knowing they are creating a lasting impact.
Have You Heard?
• Anyone can make a legacy gift. One of the easiest ways is to add a beneficiary designation for your IRA, Life Insurance, or 401k.
• There is no required amount to make a legacy gift. We have been blessed with gifts of all different sizes.
• You can designate your gift to a specific PVM fund, Village or the organization as a whole.
• When you make a gift beyond your lifetime, you join more than 250 members in the PVM Legacy Society. We can’t wait to welcome you.
Why Should You Consider Making a Gift Beyond Your Lifetime?
• You want to celebrate and care for the people and causes that mean the most to you.
• You believe in quality housing and services for all older adults.
• You know that every dollar makes an impact and is appreciated!
Have questions? Want to learn more? Let’s get together. You can reach me at 248-722-2101 or ssommer@pvm.org
As May approaches, consider making a lasting impact by including PVM in your legacy plans— helping ensure a brighter future for older adults. Visit pvmf.org/legacy to find out more.
SANDY SOMMER, DIRECTOR OF DONOR ENGAGEMENT
Did you know? DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY – SECRET TO A LONG LIFE?
PAUL J. MILLER, CFRE, PRESIDENT, PVM FOUNDATION
1988 the first acappella song to reach #1 on the charts was Bobby McFerrin’s Don’t Worry, Be Happy. If you were around in the 80’s, you know this tune and it’s probably now going to be stuck in your head!
If each of us follow the title of the song, will our life improve? Will we live any longer?
Did you know smiling could extend your life by 7 years! A Wayne State University Study looked at which Major League Baseball Players smiled on their 1952 baseball card to determine life expectancy. These results should keep you smiling!
1. Not Smiling: Average lifespan of 72.9 years
2. Partial Smile: Average lifespan of 75 years
3. Full Smile: “Say Cheese!” Average lifespan of 79.9 years
Because of your donation PVM can keep the residents smiling. Even those encountering major health issues, financial challenges and facing each day without a loved one that has passed on. Each month there are plenty of events at each Village to keep the residents active, engaged and of course smiling.
Your donation funds resident activities from birthday lunches, holiday parties, painting classes, trips to a Detroit Tiger’s ball game, to a night at the theater. These cherished events result in a lot of great memories, companionship, and lot of smiling faces!
Don’t Worry, Be Happy! Thank you for donating and keeping PVM residents smiling each day.
Paul J. Miller, CFRE President, PVM Foundation
Smiling faces! May be the key to a long life?!
