Ecumen Century Club: Happy 101st Birthday Evelyn LeSuer
Ecumen honors Evelyn LeSuer, a resident of Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., who is 101.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 100th Birthday Bernice Farber
Ecumen honors Bernice Farber, a resident of Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., who is 100.
Ecumen's 2016 Philanthropy Report to the Community
Learn more about our fundraising efforts, innovative programs and those who support our changing aging efforts in Ecumen's 2016 Philanthropy Report.
Ecumen Bethany Community Receives Workforce Grant To Help Recruit and Retain Caregivers for Seniors
Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., has received a $25,000 Workforce Solutions Grant from the LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation to help recruit new employees to senior care and to retain them after they are hired.
While demand for senior care in the Alexandria area is increasing, the available workforce is shrinking. Ecumen Bethany Community is using the grant money to develop a multi-faceted education and training program that includes mentoring and community outreach. Bethany is creating a “peer mentor” program for newly hired nursing assistants to support them during their first 90 days of employment. Experienced employees will help train and guide them in a structured approach to becoming familiar with their new jobs. Also, becoming a mentor is a new path for established employees to grow their careers and compensation.
“We’ve found that most turnover in senior care happens in the first 90 days of employment,” said Matthew Fischer, Executive Director at Ecumen Bethany. “Having experienced peers guide new employees through the adjustment process is one way we can stay ahead of issues that might prompt new hires to leave.”
Additionally, Bethany is partnering with Alexandria Community and Technical College to create a program that will help educate younger adults on the benefits and rewards of a career in senior. “We believe we can recruit more young employees simply by giving them a better sense of what a senior care career is really like,” Fisher said. “There are a lot of negative stereotypes that we can overcome with accurate information and testimonials from current employees.” He said Bethany will be creating a video aimed at high school and college students to highlight senior care opportunities and the rewards of the work, as well as scholarships available to enhance employees’ careers.
LeadingAge Minnesota, the state’s largest association of aging services providers, was awarded the grant through a program funded by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP), a foundation that takes a strong interest in workforce issues in rural Minnesota. MCAP supported the $1 million Workforce Solutions Grant program to improve the experience of care for older adults by funding emerging and proven workforce strategies that increase the quality, quantity and capacity of the caregiving workforce.
Happy Birthday to Ecumen Bethany Community
Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria is 100 years old this year.
Unique High School Program Helps Students Become Nursing Assistants
A high school in Alexandria, Minn., has developed a unique program that allows students to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and help fill a pressing need for senior care workers.
Ecumen Century Club: Happy 103rd Birthday Eldora Clark
Ecumen honors Eldora Clark, a resident of Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, who is 103.
Teamwork and Training Save the Life of an Ecumen Bethany Community Employee
When Lynn Malvin's heart stopped, her coworkers at Ecumen Bethany Community saved her life with a well-trained quick response.
Ecumen Bethany Community Named Employer of the Year by Lakes Area Professional Women
Ecumen Bethany Community in Alexandria, Minn., has been named the Employer of the Year (in the large employer category) by Lakes Area Professional Women.
Ecumen Bethany Community Makes Lake More Accessible
A new ramp to Lake Winona makes access to the lake much easier and safer.