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Earth Day Observance

Sun, April 21, 2019 Published by

EARTH DAY OBSERVANCE…On Friday, April 26th, the residents and staff of Beatitudes Campus are participating in the 2019 Earth Day Observance with what has been termed a “Protect March”. The Marchers will gather outside The Bistro at 10:00AM Friday morning and then proceed to The Everett Luther Life Center. Join us!

National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month

Sun, April 7, 2019 Published by

April is National Occupational Therapy (OT) Month and, as such, Success Matters would like to celebrate the culminating work of two wonderful OT doctoral students on Campus, Chandler Somers and Katie Holmes.  The role of an OT has been described as a blending of science, creativity, and compassion, in order to help individuals live their lives to the fullest.  While working on their doctoral capstone projects over the past four months, both Katie and Chandler have certainly exemplified these qualities, and we’re proud to share their accomplishments. 

During their time on Campus, both Katie and Chandler have been revising and expanding the Success Matters Empowerment Platform in Plaza View Assisted Living. The Empowerment Platform involves a holistic interview to learn about residents’ unique backgrounds, interests, and hobbies. It also includes various wellness screens to provide residents with personalized strategies and recommendations to live a safe, active, and engaged lifestyle.

As part of her individual capstone experience, Chandler has just finished up leading and analyzing the efficacy of the Beatitudes Campus 6-week SAFER Stepping falls prevention course. This course is offered two to three times per year, and involves exercises targeted to improve balance, as well as discussion about potential fall risk factors. Chandler spent time researching current best practices for falls prevention, in order to provide background and evidence for the course. The data collected from participants across the 6-week program indicates that participants did, in fact, have decreased falls concerns and increased knowledge about various fall risk factors, including medications, vision, hearing, nutrition, and brain health.  If you are interested in participating in the next SAFER Stepping course starting in July, contact Jessica at #16110 to get added to the list.

Katie’s culminating individual project involved creating and leading the workshop Tools for Stress-Free Living, an 8-week program focusing on the concept of resiliency and emphasizing the ability to find the positives despite adversity or struggles. Discussion and activities included heart-focused deep breathing, engaging the senses, exercise, reframing personal stories, mindfulness, and journaling to facilitate healthy coping strategies. The goal was to engage the participants on both an individual and group level, fostering growth, reflection, and reciprocal learning. On average, participants decreased their perceived stress levels by 15% over the course of the 8-week workshop.

Throughout each of these projects, Katie and Chandler made wonderful connections with residents and staff, explored practical and creative interventions for the wellbeing of older adults, and served as a valuable resource on Campus.  Perhaps most importantly, they learned so much from their experiences with you all and are truly grateful for their opportunities at Beatitudes Campus. 

If you would like to join Success Matters in thanking Chandler and Katie for their tremendous work, and wish them well in their future careers as OTs, please join us in the Plaza Bistro on Thursday, April 25th at 10AM for treats and refreshments.

Opportunities to get Involved

Sun, August 19, 2018 Published by

Multi-Faith Food Drive and Native American Film and Drumming

The Beatitudes Campus has always been a place where residents continue to learn and grow, and participate fully in the wider community. There are some events coming up over the next few weeks that offer you the chance for just that.

The first event coming up is a food drive sponsored by friends of Campus, the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Arizona (ISBA) founded by Azra Hussain. It has been an honor to participate in food drives with ISBA in the past as they strive to heal and help those in the community.

This Multi-Faith 9/11 Food Drive is a way to honor those who died on 9/11/2001 by bringing people of many religious traditions, ethnicities and ages together to care for those in need in our community.  Both residents and employees are encouraged to participate in the food drive.

Labeled food donation boxes will be set up in the lounges of the apartment buildings around campus. We are asking for peanut butter and tuna only to be donated as these are items that are always in need at local food shelters. Simply place your donations of peanut butter and/or tuna in these boxes when it is convenient for you between Monday, August 20 and Sunday, September 9. 

Another way you can support this food drive is by making a monetary donation in cash or check. If by check, make it out to Beatitudes Campus and on the memo line (at the lower left-hand corner of your check), write “Food Drive”. You can drop off your monetary donation to Chaplain Peggy’s office or call Nancy Splain at x18484, or Kimberly Bravo at x18465 to coordinate drop off/pick up of your donation.

Last year we were able to assist two different local food banks through your generosity.

Another event coming up is a screening of the short film, “We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For” – Hopi Prayer and Prophecy brought to Campus by award winning documentary filmmaker Fidel Moreno. Fidel is a water and peace activist who identifies as Huichol, Yoeme and Mexican-American. He will also be able to give us an update on the happenings at and his participation in the gathering at Standing Rock regarding protection of our water resources.  Following the viewing of his film we will have the unique opportunity to witness and participate in traditional Native American healing chants and drumming. Mark your calendars for Friday, August 31 at 2:00 p.m. in the Life Center for this unique, inspiring and educational experience.

Our outside community is a blessing to us by offering these amazing opportunities to serve and grow and by allowing us the gift to be a blessing in return.*

MORE FILM FESTIVAL FUN!

Sun, August 5, 2018 Published by

Last August you told us how much  you loved  the First Annual Film Festival! Your Lifelong Learners Committee now proudly presents the Second Annual Film Festival. Again, the Festival provides a cool, entertaining break from the dreaded “dog days” of August.

Mark your calendars for Thursday, August 23rd and Friday August 24th. On both days in the Life Center you will enjoy two FREE movies and popcorn. These films feature seasoned, award-winning performers in positive stories of “Reconciliation: Hollywood Style” this year’s Film Festival theme.

Here’s the schedule:

On Thursday, August 23rd—the first film begins at 10:00AM; the second movie will begin at 1:00PM. On Friday, August 24th—the longer first film begins at 9:30AM, the second film at 1:00 PM.

There’s no need to “sweat the heat”  between each day’s films—as an optional buffet lunch will be available in the Life Center. Use your B-Card to purchase each day’s lunch tickets in advance at the Plaza Bistro. Each ticket costs $6.50 per person, per day ($13 for both days). Remember, this is optional—but tickets are required in advance if you would like to have lunch catered by our wonderful Dining Services team.

You will enjoy four chances to win a $25 Harkins Theater Gift card! Drawings occur after each movie.

You spoke, we listened! On Thursday morning Jessica Meyer returns again this year. Using her vast knowledge of successful aging, she’ll introduce the movie, I’ll See You in My Dreams, and hold a discussion based around the film.

On Friday morning, Arlyn Brewster of Carnegie Hall fame returns to introduce Fried Green Tomatoes. Arlyn later leads discussion and recaps this award-winning motion picture.

High Society concludes our Second Annual Film Festival starring superb performers whom we all adore. Its music will gladden our hearts.

Here’s a recap of all films and times and a synopsis of each:

Thursday, Aug. 23rd  at 10:00AM: I’ll See You in My Dreams (Blythe Danner & Sam Elliott). Love prevails: A long-time widow who is a retired singer experiences two new chances at love.

Thursday, Aug. 23rd at 1:00PM: The One Hundred Foot Journey (Helen Mirren, Om Puri)  Fierce culinary competition yields to cooperation. Love prevails.

 Friday, Aug. 24th at 9:30AM: Fried Green Tomatoes (Jessica Tandy & Kathy Bates) Curiosity about a nursing home patient produces self-discovery, courage, and newfound joy.

Friday, Aug. 24th at 1:00PM:  High Society  (Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly, Louis Armstrong). True Love triumphs over boredom and novelty, greatly aided by glorious music and stellar acting.

Remember, an optional lunch will be available each day and tickets are $6.50 per person, per meal.*

Power of the Purse 2016 – A Huge Success!

Mon, November 7, 2016 Published by

Power of the Purse 2016 was a phenomenal success in every way possible!

As the signature fund-raising and friends-raising event for the campus, Power of the Purse transformed the campus into a festive atmosphere on Sunday afternoon. It was a party on a grand scale, where gently loved designer purses of every stripe and color were auctioned off. Nearly 400 guests enjoyed great food and wine, wonderful friends, and, of course, lots of purses!

For those of you who are new to the campus, Power of the Purse is the signature fundraising event for the campus. This year is our sixth year of producing this event, and we have raised a half-million dollars for the campus over these scarousel-01ix years. Why do we do it every year? We do it for you, our residents! All the proceeds we earn from Power of the Purse are directed to support initiatives and programs for the campus, such as our commitment to assist residents who may be in need of financial help because they have outlived their own personal assets. Proceeds also help advance our programs, to help ensure that you have the greatest opportunity for living life at the highest potential.

Power of the Purse is a premier example of the campus at its best! It was a joy to see so many of our residents attending and participating on Sunday! A good number of you from all parts of the campus were around watching the tent go up on Saturday, as well. Who knew that Central Park Mall could be transformed into an elegant red-carpet venue?

More than one of you told me how happy it made you to see all the people milling about – it made me happy, too. Bringing “younger” people to the campus absolutely helps us change the stereotypes about aging and retirement communities. Over and over, in one conversation or another, I heard comments like, “I had no idea this community was so vibrant.” One of the Washington High School students told me that “These people are so cool!” We, of course, know all about the “coolness factor” of our residents, but how wonderful to have the larger community understand as well!

On behalf of the Fund Development team, our boards, and all the staff here at the campus, I would like to thank each one of you – our residents – for your support of this event. So many of you made contributions, purchased tickets, donated purses and helped to spread the word. With an event of this scale, I know it was also an interruption to daily life here. I am grateful for how cheerfully you accommodated all the festivities. You are such great ambassadors for the campus.

I’d like to thank our talented and dedicated staff – who dreamed, designed and orchestrated a spectacular day for us. Every department on campus stepped in to pull it all off. Cheers to our Dining Services team who never cease to amaze us with creative food and service. Our facilities teams were everywhere doing everything you can imagine to get the campus ready. Our accounting, admin, housekeeping, human resources, marketing, security and spiritual life teams all had important roles to play. Staff members from every department across the campus volunteered their time on Sunday afternoon for the cause. Everyone went the extra mile.

I am extremely grateful to our event guests and to the 25 sponsors who provided such generous support to the campus.  A special thank you goes to our Title Sponsor, The Weitz Company, who has supported Power of the Purse since the beginning and in a multitude of ways. I also want to thank our Presenting and Partner Sponsors – BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, Morrison Community Living, David Davies, Merrill Lynch, Beatitudes Campus Auxiliary and JP Griffin Group – for their generous support.

Hats off to the Power of the Purse Steering Committee, co-chaired by Monique Bontrager and Jennifer McKee. They met throughout the past year to help plan for this great event. This dedicated group of women has been securing donations – designer purses and other auction items – to make this day a great success. They spent countless hours prepping and preparing the purses for auction. A special thanks goes to Nancy Stouffer, our purse guru, who has been a champion of Beatitudes Campus for years.

My thanks to each and every one of you for being part of Beatitudes Campus and for helping us to live out our mission and values. Indeed, we are all blessed.

Below, find an extended video tour of the event:

https://www.facebook.com/BeatitudesPowerofthePurse/videos/1780857785510462/