When you think Life Enrichment at Homestead Village, the first names that comes to mind our Karen Longenecker and her assistant, Maureen Deibert. Karen, with Maureen’s assistance, creates the wonderful programs each month detailed in the Adventures in Life. Karen has been our Life Enrichment Coordinator since 2006 and came to Homestead Village with 25 years of experience. In fact she will celebrate her tenth anniversary in August of this year. Maureen has assisted her for about five years. Karen has a degree in Psychology from Millersville University and is married to our chaplain, David Longenecker. Karen’s passion for life enrichment and her tremendous experience are on display every month as she helps to facilitate outstanding residential living life enrichment.
Numerous other Homestead Village staff contribute to quality life enrichment at Homestead Village. They include Ben Hayes, Katie Whallon and Virginia Lewis. Ben Hayes has helped coordinate the life enrichment in the Apostles Center since 2004.
Ben has attended both Alvernia and Imaculatta colleges working toward his Bachelors Degree.
He has participated in all of the major culture change activities in the Apostles Center and continues to actively develop and improve the life enrichment services, especially in Radcliffe House.
This past year, Katie Whallon and Ginny Lewis joined the Life Enrichment team as coordinators for our two memory support programs. Both have jump started their respective programs. Katie has revolutionized the programs in Fickes House with the assistance of House Coordinator, Rachelle Rineer. Ginny has continued the excellent programming in Gelhard House with the help of the nurse leader, Beth Tefsay.
Katie Whallon graduated from Gordon College with a degree in Business and minors in recreation and leisure studies, and non-profit organization management and social entrepreneurship. Ginny graduated from LaRoche College with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Gerontology Minor.
This team of dedicated professionals is making a difference in our community and the lives of persons served at Homestead Village.