Vision 2030
Expanding Possibilities for Aging Well at VMRC
Expanding Possibilities for Aging Well at VMRC
I have served on many boards, and as all my board experience has done in the past, my work here has touched so many areas of my life. My fatherin-law who served many years on this board and both of my parents lived here. My sister-in-law, brother-in-law and his wife live here now and have given volunteer hours to VMRC in the past and the present. And many of my dear friends are part of this community.
I joined the board in 2013 and became chairperson in 2015. During this time, I’ve witnessed incredible growth, change and progress. Together with my fellow board members, we’ve navigated challenges and celebrated many achievements. It’s been an honor to work with such dedicated individuals who bring our mission to life every day.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to our residents, staff and partners. You are the heart of this community.
A highlight of my tenure has been helping select and support VMRC’s leadership, most recently welcoming our new CEO Jake Bell. Each leader has brought unique strengths that have guided the organization through different phases of growth. Jake brings a great deal of experience with him and I’m confident he will lead with excellence, fresh vision and with a forwardthinking approach.
In 2025, I will step down from the board. Though it will be bittersweet, I do so with optimism and confidence for the future. The foundation we’ve built together is strong, and I know this community will continue to thrive. Lastly, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our residents, staff and partners. You are the heart of this community. Every smile, every act of care and every moment of connection reflects what we stand for. You have made my time here richer than I ever imagined.
Thank you for your trust, support and dedication. It has been a privilege to walk this journey with you.
Sincerely,
Jackie Hartman, VMRC Board Chairperson
As I reflect on my first six months as CEO of this extraordinary organization, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for the future. It has been a period of rich learning and immersion, and I feel deeply privileged to lead an institution that has touched so many lives over the past 70 years.
In this short time, I have seen firsthand the incredible dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our donors, partners, residents and their families. Your shared commitment to our mission has inspired my vision for a future that honors our proud heritage and enthusiastically embraces new opportunities.
As we look ahead to the next five years, I am eager to begin a strategic planning process that will shape a future filled with expanded possibilities for aging well—a vision that we will bring to life together. We will take a holistic approach to our operations, striving for efficiency where needed but always intending to reinvest in what matters most: our residents and staff.
One of my top priorities is to further strengthen our commitment to the visual arts. Our annual juried art exhibition has become a hallmark of our organization, setting us apart in meaningful ways. I believe there is tremendous potential to expand our support for creative expression within our community and beyond.
I am truly excited to be part of this next chapter in our organization’s journey. With your continued support and the guidance of our shared values, I know we will achieve extraordinary things together. Let us move forward confidently, embracing the opportunities ahead and building an organization that not only thrives but also inspires.
Thank you for being a vital part of this wonderful community. I look forward to the incredible journey that lies ahead.
With gratitude and optimism,
Jake Bell, CEO
Expanding Possibilities
An array of campus programs delighted residents this year, punctuated by a 70th anniversary celebration that took place in July. This celebratory year was filled with opportunities to reflect on the past while having fun. Notable campus speakers, such as J. Miles Coleman from Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball with the UVA Center for Politics helped us look to the future.
Life at VMRC This year, Crestwood’s enrichment initiatives made a significant impact on residents in assisted living and memory care. Notable highlights include taking 17 residents to the Rockingham County Fair and hosting 6 large community meals for special occasions since February. Crestwood Memory Care achieved Silver certification in the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle, with all assisted living residents receiving name tags to enhance community interaction. Memory Care residents participated in 17 6
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Amazing Experiences & Spaces for Optimizing Health
Our New Starcraft bus lets everyone know who’s arriving! All of our off-campus drivers have a Commercial Driver’s License and with our new Starcraft bus, we are really going places! Now more than ever the three buses in our fleet are scheduled for new destinations and old favorites!
We also have team members dedicated to getting residents safely to and from medical appointments five days a week.
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7 visits to The Farm at Willow Run to assist with produce washing, and an average of 2-3 off-campus trips occurred monthly. Events like the Spring Festival attracted 102 participants, while the inaugural Antique Car Show delighted residents and families. The annual Fall Festival featured a DJ, a petting zoo and more. Friends and neighbors from the community joined residents to celebrate the start of a new season.
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Expanding Possibilities
Meet Carolyn Wilson, our 2023 Claude Hess Distinguished Service Recipient of the Year. She enhances the VMRC community by planting and distributing flowers, engaging neighbors to beautify Willow Run and other campus areas, seeing her work as a way to share God’s beauty. Learn more about Carolyn here:
Our Volunteers in Action
More than 300 Active Volunteers
VMRC Express Cart Volunteers Provided 2,700 Rides
30,041 Total Hours Served by VMRC Volunteers
Student Impact by the numbers
6 Universities
8 Schools 2 Tech centers
Through Purpose & Spiritual Contemplation
Ash Wednesday – beginning the season of Lent. United Methodist pastor, Steve Hay, shared a message entitled, “Ashes and Chocolate Hearts.” He reminded us all of how while we are mortals made of dust, we are God’s beloved, and dwell with Christ in us.
Additionally, Pastoral Care expanded its impact during Lent with the “Stations in the Street” exhibit featuring 12 artworks by Scott Erickson in the Oak Lea Courtyard. A dedication service united residents, team members and community leaders. The event was highlighted in the March 29 edition of the Daily News Record.
Residents Paul & Joyce Brunk, Roman Miller and Victor Berger participated in the service along with Chaplains Steve Landis and Carmen Miller.
Expanding Possibilities Through Excellence
VMRC has been on a year-long journey to achieve gold-level Montessori credentialing for its Memory Care program, continuing Maria Montessori’s legacy by challenging assumptions about dementia care. Having achieved bronze and silver levels, we’re close to our goal. Key principles of the Montessori-inspired Lifestyle include:
Promoting equity, dignity and respect for residents and staff.
Recognizing that responsive behaviors indicate unmet needs, which can decrease in supportive environments.
Prioritizing meaningful engagement to enhance the quality of life through purposeful activities.
Encouraging independence by offering minimal assistance to maintain abilities.
Focusing on strengths to foster meaningful community roles.
Acknowledging that individuals with dementia can still learn new skills.
And Innovation In Supportive Living & Nurse Education
Training Future Certified Nurse Assistants & Developing Our Staff
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We’ve held 3 in-house trainings this year and successfully graduated 14 Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA). Through our partnership with Harrisonburg City Schools, 28 area students completed their clinical training at VMRC and became CNAs, many joining us as employees.
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This year, a new policy offers financial support for staff pursuing nursing careers, with three employees currently enrolled.
Expanding Culture Through Art
We are excited to grow the visual arts in our community, transforming VMRC into a more vibrant destination for both art lovers and artists alike. Art adds a rich, purposeful touch to everyday life, infusing our spaces with creativity, inspiration and a deep connection to the human spirit. We believe in the transformative power of art for people of all ages. It nurtures the soul, sparks curiosity and promotes lifelong learning, inviting everyone to experience the beauty and depth of visual expression. Stay tuned as we shape the future of art at VMRC, new exhibits and engaging experiences await!
To see all of the paintings in our 2024 National Juried Art Exhibition.
Dracena, by Heidi Brueckner, won Best In Show at the 2024 National Juried Art Exhibition
Countless Visitors To Our Park Gables Art Gallery
Art at VMRC by the numbers:
1 National Juried Art Exhibition
3 Jurors
80 Artists
93 Works of Art
4 Community Art Exhibits
Art work featured in the Art Guild of Greene County Members’ Showcase
Noelia Núñez, a Staunton Virginia artist, stands near one of her paintings at her onewoman exhibit, Shenandoah Dreams
Watercolor Artist Lois Kauffman stands near her painting, The View at Hazy Mountain Vineyard, during the 38th Annual Shenandoah Valley Watercolor Society Members’ Show
Expanding Possibilities
VMRC is among the top ten largest employers in Harrisonburg, Virginia with nearly 500 employees shaping the experiences of residents every day. To meet the needs of current and future VMRC neighbors, we work around the clock to grow and strengthen our workforce. Since the start of 2024, we have hired 135 new team members!
Successful nurse recruitment enabled VMRC to reopen Showalter House in Woodland Park and grow capacity in Transitional Care.
At summer’s end, we successfully held our first job fair since before the pandemic. Focused on nurse recruitment, this event brought us 3 new nurses and 7 nursing assistants!
By Expanding Our Team
Chuck Corley Recruiting Manager
Meet our two newest members of the Human Resources Department.
Chuck comes to us with more than 20 years of recruiting and leadership experience. Most notably, he orchestrated the successful nurse hiring event. Chuck has also taken on the interim leadership role of the Staff Culture and Belonging Committee, showing his dedication to bringing in talent and supporting the work of cultivating an inclusive and engaging work environment.
Thomas Stallings, MSW Director of Organizational Learning & Development
Thomas joined the VMRC Human Resources Team as Director of Organizational Learning and Development this past spring. Since his arrival, he has created an Organizational Career Progression Pathway, a roadmap for each VMRC/role to chart new opportunities and required credentials for employees seeking to advance their careers.
More employees are staying with VMRC this year compared to last year. This is why we didn’t need to hire as many as we did during 2023. We strive to be an employer of choice in the Harrisonburg area by building a culture of belonging and collaboration. Engaged employees have a higher retention rate!
Expanding Possibilities
Dining by the numbers:
Fueled by passion and pride, our dining team serves up excellence every day, turning hard work into memorable meals.
This year, our Farm at Willow Run became USDA-Certified Organic! It’s a label that means our farm produces food in a way that promotes ecological balance without using synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms. Our farm is now part of a relatively small group of producers that meet strict requirements for soil management and other factors meaning the food we grow is genuinely organic!
> 109 full-time and part-time employees
> Serve an average of 24,000 meals a month (almost 288,000 a year)
> Serve meals out of 3 main kitchens located in 3 of Crestwood’s 6 neighborhoods, and 8 houses in the Woodland Park neighborhood
> We catered more than 100 events this year
By Keeping Things Fresh!
Farming by the numbers
< Growing over 30 different crops across 4 seasons
< 3 acres of main field growing space
< 10,600 square feet of greenhouse “high tunnel” growing space
< 40,000+ pounds of food annually
< 30,000 pounds of VMRC compost annually – 50 tons finished
< 70% of the seasonal vegetables used in VMRC
Dining services
Expanding Possibilities Through Giving
Our generous donors create a world of good when they support VMRC’s work. Take a look at the impact YOU made this year!
Philanthropy by the Numbers
We gained 179 Showalter donors who made gifts of $1,000 or more.
We partnered with Eastern Mennonite University to redo the Park Woods Trail to make it accessible for our residents.
$54,200 raised for Habitat for Humanity’s Suter St. project in Harrisonburg.
$69,000 for the Memory Care Endowment through the annual golf benefit.
$534,000 raised through the Compassion Fund to support individuals who have outlived their resources.
Total cash giving reached $1,287,787.
We gained 10 new Visionaries and raised $4 Million in new and planned gifts.
All amounts reflect fundraising from Oct. 1, 2023 – Oct. 1, 2024.
Our 2024 Philanthropist of the Year
Expanded Our Possibilities
Meet Joanne Lockhart!
A resident and dedicated supporter, Joanne has demonstrated incredible generosity. Because of her generosity, VMRC residents and staff have a brand new bus to take residents to different sites and enrichment opportunities across the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. Thanks to Joanne, we’re truly going places!
Expanding Possibilities To Fund The Future
Statement of Financial Position
Assets 2024 2023
Liabilities and Net Assets
Expenses
Revenue
Operating income for 2024 reflects the conclusion of ARPA funding.
Expanding Possibilities For A New Future
We are guided by a Mennonite ethic of service, justice, peacebuilding and stewardship. We value differences and strive to create a place of belonging. We lead collaboratively to inspire hope, meaning and growth in aging.
As we plan for VMRC’s future, we’re paying attention to cultural and demographic shifts that will transform the aging experience. Christ-centered organizations like ours have a unique opportunity to meet the emerging needs of an increasingly older society by reflecting our stated values. We look forward to the future and our journey to prepare for what’s to come. By 2030, VMRC will stand as a beacon of expanded possibilities for older adults, demonstrating that retirement is not an end, but a continuation of God’s calling on our lives.
