Celebrating Service Coordinator Day
On September 19, Graceworks Housing Services celebrated the American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC) 2019 Service Coordinator Day. Service coordinators provide access to healthcare resources and help our residents navigate government benefits and programs so they can better achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. On average, one service coordinator links elderly, disabled and low-income residents to 18 supportive services and community resources each year. Take a moment to meet two Graceworks Housing Services coordinators who were recognized on September 19.
Beth Hayslip– St. Paul Trinity Community (Maysville, Kentucky): “Betty Osburn, resident of St. Paul Trinity Community, surprised service coordinator Beth Hayslip with cupcakes to celebrate her 8th year at the community! Beth also received several cards from other residents.”
Anne Mowell – Bethlehem Community (Richmond, Indiana): “Two residents from Bethlehem Community started to prepare meals for other residents once a month. Service coordinator, Anne Mowell, suggested that the once a month dinner could become a way for the entire community to be involved. A monthly schedule was created and every month, a meal is sponsored by one or two residents. A part of each monthly meal is provided from the Gateway Food Pantry, who delivers to Southview Church of the Nazarene, across the street from Bethlehem Community. Great food and a cost savings for all!”
Supreme Service with a Smile
Tim Catron is the maintenance technician for Bethlehem Community, located in Richmond, Indiana, and was awarded the 2019 Customer Service award for Housing Services. Tim is continuously thinking about ways to improve the appearance of the common areas and individual apartments. The residents know that when he says he will take care of something that it will be finished on time and properly.
“When we have a staff change, Tim provides coverage for maintenance until a new person is hired. He really keeps the wheels turning at our properties,” said Jane Starkey, site manager for Bethel Community in Rushville, Indiana. “He shows his commitment to Faithful Caring when he not only comes to take care of maintenance issues but also in how he is able to connect to residents at other properties he doesn’t know and reassures them that he is attending to their needs and that they are important.”
Staff are not the only people to speak highly of Tim. “Tim is always polite and makes a point of speaking to us when we cross paths in the hallways,” a resident writes. “He should be recognized for all his hard work!” Download and read an inspiring nomination letter from one of the residents here.
Community Partnership Dedicated to Serving the Homeless
Bethel Community, located in Rushville, Indiana, partnered in 2019 with a local organization called Mats for the Homeless. The organization started out as a way to recycle plastic shopping bags and create mats that are subsequently donated to homeless shelters throughout Indianapolis. The mats can have many uses such as a barrier between the ground, sleeping bag or blankets, or a cover of any kind. They are lightweight, easily rolled up, stored and carried from place to place. Mats for the Homeless approached site manager, Jane Starkey, about the possibility to meet in the Bethel community room once a month. Since using their space, Bethel residents are involved in the process of sorting and preparing the bags for cutting, looping and rolling into balls, which can then be picked up by the organization to crochet the mats.
