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Meet one of PVM’s amazing veterans in our latest video. Your support makes their stories possible. 

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You Heard Hers When SHE Needed Help

Sister Edith Martinek is an 89-year-old resident at The Village of Hampton Meadows in Bay City. For 70 of those years, she has dedicated her life to serving God and putting those in need first.

In 2019 she REALLY needed your help. Your thoughtful donation to the PVM Foundation gave Sister Edith a new home that she could truly afford and let her continue her work of serving others in the greater Bay City community. THANK YOU!

Enjoy learning about Sister Edith’s life work and her path to PVM’s Village of Hampton Meadows, a partnership with Wellspring Lutheran Services. Your spirit
will be filled after reading it!

In 1952, at the age of 18, Edith Martinek took a different journey than many others her age. “I told my father I was called to serve God and wanted to become a nun. He asked me to wait a year, so I did. At 19 my mind had not changed. I was ready,” says a prideful Sister Edith.

Edith went to the Sisters of the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe, Michigan. After 6 years of study, she received an elementary teaching certificate. She taught kindergarten and first grade for 36 years. The majority of her teaching was in the inner cities of Michigan with some experiences in Miami and Minneapolis as well. “I was called to Miami to teach English to Cuban children. These children were refugees thrown out of their country.”

After 36 years of teaching, “I tied the millionth shoelace of a student and said to myself this is the last shoelace I will tie. It’s time for my next chapter of serving others.”

Sister Edith moved to the mid-Michigan area to provide Pastoral Care. “I loved the work and being directly connected to the church. I did this for 14.5 years,” says Sister Edith with a big grin.

At 77, she came to Bay City to be a full time volunteer at McLaren Hospital providing spiritual guidance for individuals in hospice care. If that was not enough she also answers phone calls for the local United Way and continues in both of these roles today. Service to others will always be Sister Edith’s guiding light.

“Each day I provide the spiritual care for those facing their last days, weeks or months. It is so special to spend those precious days with them. It fills my heart to serve them.”

In January of 2019, Sister Edith was dealt a big blow. “With very little notice my rent had tripled. I had one month to find housing that I could afford. The $670 per month I get in Social Security wouldn’t be nearly enough.”

Although she receives a bountiful amount of daily rewards, her life’s work of serving and caring for others did not come with a large paycheck or a retirement pension to rely on. She was facing homelessness.

Luckily a friend from church knew of The Village of Hampton Meadows, which provides affordable housing for low-income older adults.

“My prayers were answered! I met with Stephanie Cooper, the administrator, and a few weeks later I moved in.  I would have been crushed having to leave my spiritual care work in the community I call home.”

“Thank you donors! Your gifts created an opportunity for me to live in Bay City and continue meeting the needs of people facing their last months.” Sister Edith said with a tear in her eye.

Sister Edith has really made the most of her Hampton Meadows home, making lots of new friends and enjoying many wonderful experiences including the weekly Bible study group she leads.

Sister Edith’s path to Hampton Meadows was a smooth one. This was very fortunate, but not common.

“Edith was lucky. Typically The Village of Hampton Meadows has a 6 month waiting list. Routinely, I get calls from older adults living day to day in hotels, checking on openings. It breaks my heart. Bay City could use more housing,” says Stephanie Cooper, Administrator.

Your donation to the PVM Foundation allows PVM to build wonderful affordable housing for people just like Edith. Older adults that live exceptional lives, and do so much good but can’t afford housing without some assistance. When it was her turn to need some support, you were there!

Your donation matters! Thank you.

The post Sister Edith Has Listened to Many Prayers appeared first on PVM Foundation.

Your donation offered Helen a new path. A path that included a new home, new friends, new found dignity, and new hope for her future. 

Helen Crocker’s life was turned upside down after the sudden deaths of her husband and father. Mourning the passing of the two most important people in her life was even more difficult as Helen faced her new reality. 

Helen’s financial situation was grim. She was left with very, very little income and an apartment she could no longer afford. Furthermore, Helen did not have any local family support. The closest relative was a brother in Florida. 

“My husband, my dad, and I all lived together. It was wonderful. They handled the money matters. I was shocked to learn how little I really had on my own,” said Helen. A very small Veteran’s pension from her husband and a meager amount of social security was all she had to live on. 

As the seasons turned from summer to fall, Helen found herself sleeping in her car during those cold autumn nights. “I lived in the parking lot of local grocery story. The staff there were good to me.” 

Things couldn’t get any worse, right?! Well they did. Her car needed significant repairs. Years of deferred maintenance on the car came due. 

As winter approached things needed to change quickly. She found temporary residence at a shelter where she learned about PVM.

Helen’s husband was a proud Veteran. PVM has a Veteran’s preference program, which allowed her to move into The Village of Warren Glenn immediately and have subsidized housing she could really afford. Without this preference Helen would be looking at a 2-year wait. A wait time she did not have. 

What happens to others like Helen who are looking for low income/subsidized housing but are not Veterans?  “It’s tough, they have to look at other options. A family member, a hotel, or something else. Not a good situation. The waitlists are way too long. It is so heartbreaking,” states Stacey Klooster, Administrator of the Village of Warren Glenn.

Donors to the rescue! Because you make the decision to donate, PVM is in the process of adding 1,200 new affordable housing options in Pontiac, Westland, Port Huron, and Flint. 1,200 new housing options for someone just like Helen who faces desperate times.

Helen has found her groove and is loving having a place to call home. She has made many friends and has been involved in the Village Rummage Sale, participated in three events at The Village Victory Cup competition, and helped out at the Resident Thanksgiving Dinner. She’s looking forward to the Holidays with her new family and in her new home thanks to your donations. 

Your donation turned Helen’s life around. 

The post Helen’s Home was Her Car! You Gave Her a New Home at The Village of Warren Glenn. appeared first on PVM Foundation.

Rob’s overall health had an effect on his life, which ultimately led him to the brink of homelessness. Before he was 30 years old, Rob had two heart attacks and a very serious knee injury.

He had physically demanding occupations for all of 30+ years in the workforce. As he approached the age of 60, his bad knee had gotten significantly worse. “Bone on bone, I basically could not walk without serious pain.”

Rob’s life changed from being fast paced to being very sedentary. “I could barely get around. I had to rely on others to do almost everything. I felt like such a burden,” states Rob with despair in his eyes.

His physical health was continuing to decline. He also had several severe falls. One fall was so violent that his glasses became lodged in his forehead! Furthermore, he could not get to his doctor appointments due to lack of transportation. At that point, Rob realized things needed to change.

With limited family support, he went searching for options. Rob learned of Sunrise PACE adjacent to the campus of The Village of Lake Huron Woods in Fort Gratiot, MI (just north of Port Huron). “Sunrise PACE was perfect, they offered transportation and all the care I needed.”

With the help of $1 million in donations, Sunrise PACE was newly constructed and ready to serve older adults just like Rob.

However, Rob’s transition to receiving care at Sunrise PACE and moving into an apartment at The Village of Lake Huron Woods was anything but smooth. During a financial review, Rob was made aware of years of theft from his bank account without his knowledge. “The shock was traumatic.“

“For the first time in a long time, I got a clear picture of what I had in my bank account. I did not have very much,” states Rob shaking his head.

After his trip to the bank, he found all of his belonging on the front lawn. “I was kicked out and had nowhere to go. Sunrise PACE was immediately there to help.”

Sunrise PACE is a program where older adults receive all the care they need in one location. Everything from primary medical care, nursing, rehabilitation therapies, dental, vision and so much more. PACE stands for Programs for All Inclusive Care for the Elderly. Because of $1M in donations, Sunrise PACE had enough extra funding to build transitional housing, which provides a temporary home for those needing care. This is not the norm for other PACE Centers around the state. Way to go donors!

Rob moved in right away at Sunrise PACE transitional housing. A few weeks later, Rob moved into his new apartment home at The Village of Lake Huron Woods as a resident, just in time for the holidays. With Sunrise PACE right next to The Village of Lake Huron Woods it was so convenient for Rob to get all the care and rehabilitation he needed on a daily basis.

The Village of Lake Huron Woods offers Rob a home full of opportunities to meet new friends and build a new life. “I am starting to get know my neighbors and enjoy each day. Thank you to everyone who helped me get here.”

Rob’s story is not unique. Older adults face health and housing issues every day. Elder abuse, financial hardship, and mental strain are also commonplace among older adults.

Luckily, there was housing, care, and hope for Rob. Affordable housing is in such demand. Typically two year waiting lists are the norm. Rob did not have two years to wait. He needed housing immediately to avoid being homeless.

The post From darkness to hope for tomorrow appeared first on PVM Foundation.

“It wasn’t easy,” Dan Odom a 96 year old resident says about being quarantined in his 540 sq. ft. apartment during the pandemic. Yet, because of you, the donor, PVM was able to give Mr. Odom and many other residents a computer tablet to stay connected with his loved ones during those long months.

Your donation gave this 96 year old resident a new lease on life and changed Dan’s life in so many positive ways. We hope you enjoy this story of challenges faced and challenges met.

Mr. Odom has lived at The Village of St. Martha’s in Detroit for 3 years. He moved there after living at his home in SW Detroit for over 60 years. “Too many stairs to climb,” says Dan. That was the driver to move.

From day one, Dan got involved at St. Martha’s. Originally from Georgia, Dan would cook up his favorite down home recipes for the residents. Peach cobbler, pound cake and even baked a sweet potato pie for a Southern Thanksgiving Dinner. Dan was having fun and enjoying each day with all of his new friends at the Village of St. Martha’s.

Then COVID hit. Dan went from lots of social activities to being shut-in, by himself for over 3 months. No family, no friends, no church services, nothing. His daughter reflects, “The only human contact he had was when I would come over for a moment with groceries.” 

Dan was fortunate up until COVID because he was active and socially engaged. However, isolation and loneliness are real problems facing so many of us as we age. COVID just made matters worse for so many who are already feeling alone. 

In 2020, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a report on social isolation and loneliness. The report stated that: “43% of adults aged 60+ report being lonely.”

According to an American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study II researchers reported that social isolation increased the risk of early death. The research really shows that the magnitude of risk presented by social isolation is very similar in magnitude to that of obesity, smoking, lack of access to care and physical inactivity.”

Your donation to rescue! The Village of St. Martha’s, in Detroit was able to offer complementary Wi-Fi and Google Nest tablet computers to their residents (thank you donors!). This allowed them to be able to connect with loved ones and virtually travel the World from their homes.

That is when Dan picked up a computer device for the first time in his 96 years. “It opened a new world for me. Attending church, talking with my pastor and the best of the best- spending time with my great grandchildren,” states Dan. His days in quarantine prior to using his tablet were spent just watching TV alone.

His daughter reflects, “My Dad feels better about himself. He’s proud that he can use technology. Every day he is figuring new things out. In the past he was leery of technology and shied away from it.”

“Google is my friend! I ask it a lot of questions. Life is a lot better now. I want to personally thank each donor for the joy you have brought me,” Dan says with a smile from ear to ear.

The post Your Donation Opened Up a New World for Dan appeared first on PVM Foundation.

PVM resident David Simpson performing at the PVM Gala

David Simpson is a resident at Thome Rivertown of Detroit. Donors, you might recognize the name. Donations were vital in bringing Thome Rivertown to reality. I hope you enjoy hearing David’s story.

There almost was no story to tell.

He was the last resident to move in. Three months prior David had a heart transplant. If that was not enough, he was trying to put his life back in order after a divorce.
David entered Thome Rivertown frail and teetering on disaster. Seeing him today, you would never know. “Ever since I’ve been here, it has been a total blessing. Everything just started to fall into place,” David recalls.

David regained a passion and purpose for life. You see David, is a longstanding professional musician and artist. Performing during halftime for the Pistons, having a hit record and art displayed at the DIA.

After 30 years, David picked up his pencils. “I just started drawing at that point, and I haven’t quit since then,” said David.

His health and strength kept improving. To the point, he started singing and performing. Today he and his son regularly perform at Thome Rivertown. His celebrity status is back!

To receive a new heart was only half of it. Your donations gave David a new life and purpose. Drop by Thome Rivertown; there is a good chance you’ll see David with a mic or sketchpad in hand.

The post Change of Heart: David’s path to health and happiness–Your donations at work! appeared first on PVM Foundation.

Juanita Seller moved into The Village of Warren Glenn in 2014. “Well, I was at home by myself, my children had moved out and I just didn’t want to stay there by myself”, Juanita said. Juanita worked in Customer Service as a debt collector before retiring. It’s a job that wasn’t for everyone. “There were times when I took a dollar out of my pocket to hold their account open. I heard a lot of sad stories and stuff”, Juanita added. Being compassionate and helping others is something Juanita has done all of her life.

Juanita shared her story of growing up in Birmingham, Alabama during the 1960’s. “I don’t understand how people would

 take your life for no other reason than just because you were Black “she said. Juanita was one of the young people who took part in the Civil Rights demonstrations during 1962-1963. She participated in civil rights marches before the bombing of ‘the church’. The 16th Street Baptist Church was bombed in September 1963. The bombing killed four young girls – Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley and Denise McNair. 

Juanita was recruited by The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) to participate in youth demonstrations. “We had dogs charging at us, and they used firehoses on us”, Juanita recalled. Although, Juanita was not a member of 16th Street Baptist Church, she was part of the group of young people that met and planned there. Most of the young adults in the group went to high school together.

“We weren’t integrated. There were times when police officers would drive through the neighborhood with their guns hanging out the windows telling everyone to get in the house. The day of the bombing I was in the house. My house shook, we didn’t really know what it was. We always heard bombs. It was always a scary moment when we heard that phone rang”, Juanita stated. 

Juanita recalled, “They were always bombing the local NAACP/SCLC lawyer’s house. He never got hurt, but they bombed his house so many times they call that street that he stayed on ‘Dynamite Hill’. 

Juanita shared the January 6th riots were a flashback to her days participating in youth demonstrations. “We didn’t know if they would kill us or if they would show up and turn the dogs loose on us. All we could do is run. Once they caught us, they might beat us. You know, it was just crazy. All we wanted to do is just to be treated like human beings, that’s it! Nothing special. Just human!” Juanita moved to Michigan in 1969.

Juanita’s fighting spirit continues

Juanita has had health problems for quite a while. Her kidney problems began in the 1980’s. Being on dialysis was an all-day process. Treatments lasted for hours at a time and for multiple days. “I was there on the machine for 3 1/2 hours to 4 hours every other day. I had a transplant in 2001 and I’m so happy I got it! This year it will be 20 years”, Juanita declared!

Juanita has gone through many challenges and obstacles. She is able now able to sit back and reflect on these life moments. Juanita enjoys her new community and friends at The Village of Warren Glenn, and is now healthy, safe and comfortable.

Everyone has a story.
Take the time to connect with an older adult to learn his or her story. 

The post A long-time resident at The Village of Warren Glenn shares her story of growing up during the Civil Rights Movement appeared first on PVM Foundation.

Louise Rush, a resident at The Village of Our Saviour’s Manor in Westland

The promise of a healthy, hot meal every week can mean the world to an older adult. Every Tuesday, through a partnership with Healin’ Meals, delicious meals made from scratch were delivered to residents’ doors. These meals were packaged to be easily stored or reheated. Westland’s The Village of Our Saviour’s Manor resident Louise Rush said, “These meals are a blessing, and show compassion to help and feed us at the same time.”

Many residents are unable to cook, and rarely have hot meals. Another resident, Alice Finely, has had 3 hip surgeries and struggles to prepare her own meals daily. The meals provided were “much appreciated and showed true generosity of spirit.”

Alice Finely, a resident at The Village of Our Saviour’s Manor in Westland

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has isolated so many in their homes, having a sense of normalcy has been a relief to many residents. City of Detroit’s University Meadows resident Jean Mallory said “I looked forward to the meals every week. It meant I didn’t have to worry about cooking.”

Having a meal provided reduced grocery costs and helped with planning a weekly budget. “These meals have meant so much, and really provided healing. Not physical healing, but mental. Knowing someone is thinking about everyone who lives here and cares enough to send food for everyone is true kindness.”

$5 provided one healthy home-cooked meal (made from scratch) that was delivered to the resident’s door each week. With a majority of residents living alone, receiving minimal family support and not being able to drive any longer, these meals helped in so many ways.

The power of caring, good food and your kindness…Thank you for being a light for so many!

The post The Power of Home Cooking! appeared first on PVM Foundation.

The Village of Redford was in the midst of constructing a new edition to their campus. Residents from The Village of East Harbor took a road trip to Redford see the construction. That road trip lead to something very special. The idea/vision to build a chapel at The Village of East Harbor (Chesterfield, MI).

During the visit, the East Harbor residents toured The Village of Redford’s Patterson Chapel. Two residents, Waneta Hawes and Mary Keebler thought The Village of East Harbor should have their own chapel. On the bus ride back Waneta and Mary starting developing a plan.

From that day on the idea of a chapel really took hold. The residents rallied around it. With the support and encouragement of their fellow residents Waneta and Mary presented the chapel idea to the Village of East Harbor Board.

Waneta Hawes, resident and chair of the steering committee

Good news! The board was very supportive of a chapel. However, just like the Patterson Chapel at The Village of Redford money needed to be raised. No funds, no chapel.

The PVM Foundation was included to work with Waneta and Mary to raise $1.6M. Only a few months after seeing the Patterson Chapel at The Village of Redford, they were embarking on a major fundraising campaign.

A group of 10 residents, and few others from the community, formed the Chapel Steering Committee. The committee met the first Friday of each of month.

Waneta took the reigns as chair and was the face of the fundraising campaign (she was everywhere, spreading the good word!). Mary focused on the design of the chapel and worked diligently with PVM to construct a chapel to fit the needs of older adults.

Waneta’s first hand-drawn sketch of the chapel

Fundraising was slow at the start. However, once the drawings of the chapel were completed, things really gained momentum. Current and former residents, family members, board members and others gave and gave again.

Like in all fundraising campaigns, every gift matters, BIG TIME. It took 400 or so donors to build the chapel. All gifts made a difference, but three donations in particular made the chapel a reality, not just a vision.

Betty Heaton, Andy Lonyo and Gene Kleemann made leadership gifts. Each one gave for slightly different reasons, but all were galvanized with the notion of having a beautiful place to worship for the residents of The Village of East Harbor.

Gene Kleemann’s generosity prompted the naming of the chapel, The Kleemann Chapel.

“In their memory as a loving couple and great parents, this chapel is dedicated with the hope that many will utilize it for their peace of mind and enhancement of their faith whatever it may be.”

– Mr. Gene Kleemann

A little about Gene. He was born in Germany during war time. His family fled to Michigan with only 2-cents to their name. They settled in Detroit. Both his parents worked hard and provided Gene with a great life. Prior to making his naming gift, Gene joined the Chapel Steering Committee. He was considering moving into East Harbor at the time. Reflecting on a way to honor his parents, and seeing firsthand what the chapel meant to the residents, he made the decision to contribute to name it. Forever to be called the Karl & Frieda Kleemann Chapel – aka The Kleemann Chapel.

Gene Kleemann of the Kleemann Chapel was married at 90 in the chapel that bears his name

Coincidentally, Gene was married in the same chapel that bears his name. At 90 years young he was married for the first time. It was a wonderful celebration.

Regretfully Gene passed in December of 2019, and his funeral was held in the Kleemann Chapel.

With Betty, Andy, Gene and many other donations the $1.6M fundraising goal was met 6 months ahead of schedule. The money was raised nearly three years to the day that Waneta and Mary hashed out their plan on the way back from The Village of Redford.

The Kleemann Chapel represents the results of power of vision, hard work, generosity and passion. The chapel would not be here today without you the donor. Your gifts are contributing to the health and happiness of countless residents. Come visit The Village of East Harbor on Christmas Eve or any Sunday and you will understand the importance of The Kleemann Chapel.

Interior of the Kleemann Chapel

Again, thank you for your contribution. To the next 10 years and beyond!!

From the first shovel in the ground – to the last piece of stained glass – take a look at the construction photos from the building of the Kleemann Chapel below.

The post From Vision to Reality – How a group of residents built a chapel appeared first on PVM Foundation.