Finding the lessons in adversity

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has.

– the Rev. Billy Graham

 
By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services

I recently attended a meeting with some of our agency’s leaders in the Buffalo area and I found myself inspired when we took an opportunity to offer prayer requests. As you might expect sharing those moments left us with heavy hearts, yet we also saw sincere and gentle smiles begin to emerge with the stories. 

Whether supporting someone through medical challenges, loss or day-to-day moments of frustration, there was one common experience: On those most challenging days we all seem to walk away with grateful hearts. 

Adversity has a way of stripping away all but the most essential. The phones go unanswered, the paperwork is set aside, and appointments and emails are ignored – all are irrelevant in the moment. Our full attention is directed to being there for those we love. It is food for our soul.  It nurtures and strengthens us, sharpening us for the next challenge and opportunity.  It reminds us of the importance of why we’re here.

 I am thankful each day to witness the pureness of our care for one another.  It is inspiring. Thank you.

Focusing on faith and family

By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services

At Heritage Christian Services, we describe ourselves as family. We celebrate when our co-workers have weddings and babies – and we walk with them when there is loss, or things that are difficult to bear.

We have a tradition of focusing on faith and family every Sunday in our residential and respite programs, and we’re proud of the relationships that have come out of that. In fact, I’ve invited a few people to tell how setting aside time for relationships and spiritual growth has influenced their lives. You’ll find their stories below.

We are mindful of our staff members who work holidays and weekends, and we are always working on how we might be better able to honor their family and faith traditions, too.

Edie Fantaske started working at Heritage Christian the same day Lisa Peters moved into her apartment at South Forest, and they have been close ever since. Edie knows that faith and family are important to Lisa. “I think that singing in the choir brings Lisa total joy to be able to use the gifts that God has given her.”

“I love Sundays because I get to relax and get refreshed before the week coming up,” said Lisa Peters, who attends Holy Infant of Prague Roman Catholic Church in Cheektowaga and sings in the choir. “My mom and dad meet me at church every other week to pick me up afterward. They come to my church on Christmas and Easter to see me sing.”

When Lisa returns home on Sundays, she enjoys catching up with friends. “Sunday is a day I can dedicate myself to my church, my family and my friends at South Forest.”

Focusing on faith gives Lisa Jackson inspiration for the week.
“It gives me a sense of strength to push me forward and know there is a greater purpose in life.”

The men who live at the home on Fairport Road in Pittsford have been enjoying church for years – but it didn’t really become a natural part of Sunday until they made friendships there.

“We participate in several of the activities the church holds including bowling parties, pancake breakfasts and game nights,” said Lisa Jackson, who often attends Perinton Presbyterian Church. “And all of the men we support participate in the adult work camp that is held in the spring.”

Lisa has become involved with the church, too. “I was recently asked by a member of the church to also join the missions team and have attended several meetings. I took on the holiday food baskets and organized 11 families receiving a Christmas dinner.”

Now, Sunday is a day they all look forward to.

“Being so involved with the church I feel does change our overall perception on life and that we are here not to serve ourselves but to serve God and each other.”

 

A vision for 2014

By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services

This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to our new chairman of the board, Richard Vander Horst. Rich, who is a vice president with Wegmans Food Markets, has served on our board since January 2007 and we are so thankful for his time and expertise. His involvement with the organization dates back many years, an introduction made by his grandfather - a very faithful, dedicated supporter of Heritage Christian up until his passing. I’ve invited Rich to share a few words on his vision for 2014. Rich…

Richard Vander Horst

I’ve always enjoyed my time serving on the Heritage Christian board because of the great work that this agency does, and I think we have a lot to look forward to in 2014.

Certainly, there are challenges ahead for this industry but I believe Heritage Christian is focused on the right things – supporting relationships that are really meaningful for people with developmental disabilities and offering the kinds of experiences that matter to a person’s life.

People and their well being have always been at the center of the agency’s mission statement, and we can’t go wrong by keeping our focus there.

Welcoming the peace of Christmas

Marisa Geitner and Grandma Favro

By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services

Some of my most meaningful Christmas memories revolve around Grandma Favro. She lived about six hours away so she would come for extended visits in the summer and at Christmas – her favorite time of the year.

My brothers and I would all be busy with the hustle of the season while Grandma sat for what seemed like hours in front of the tree. Sometimes as we passed by the living room she’d pat the seat next to her on the couch and ask us to sit and look at the lights. She’d invite us to be still.

I always remember the times I did sit, the times I slowed down enough to welcome the peace of Christmas. And I think of that every year when my to-do list gets long and the noise of the season gets loud.

I make it a point to seek silence, to find quiet times to be present in the moment and present with God. That’s my wish for you this year, too. 

May you find time this year to unwrap the gift of Christmas. May you find peace.

Grandma Favro gave Marisa an angel the year she was born. It always sits on top of the Christmas tree.

Thankful for the hands that serve

By Marisa Geitner, president & C.E.O. of Heritage Christian Services

I started this year writing about family traditions and about the traditions that matter the most to us here at Heritage Christian. It’s only fitting that as we turn to this season of giving thanks that I’d count our tradition of compassionate care as one of things I appreciate the most.

We make it a point to hire the best people we can, but our employees have a choice in how they serve. For most of them, that choice is to serve with patience and dignity and love. They don’t just show up and coast through their shifts. They show up to make a difference.

And that’s what I’m thankful for, for the hearts and hands that serve here. For a glimpse inside those kind hearts, keep reading…

When I began working at Heritage it was just a job for me. I thought just for a short while, as I was finishing my degree. When you care for someone completely you can’t help but get involved in their lives and want to make a difference. In making their dreams and hopes come true I now better understand how to make things happen for myself and overall how to be a happier person. A true caregiver. I don’t think that part of me will ever change. To serve here means to care, care about people, care about independence, care about compassion and most of all care for yourself and your family better. – Emma Lange, direct support professional at the home on Clover Street

Eilleen Mendez and Maria Sanchez

It has been a humbling experience to have worked at Heritage Christian the past five years. It is like the analogy of a seed being nurtured and blossoming!  I have stayed at Heritage Christian because of the fulfillment that I feel in doing Christ’s work in action by being the hands,  the eyes,  the legs, and the voice of supporting the individuals that I have been blessed to know and support. – Maria Sanchez, assistant manager at the Nine Mile Point day program 

Sam Weinberg and Kelly Odrzywolski

I look forward to working with the young man I support each day. He always greets me with a big smile and says, "Hi Kelly!" As a habilitation specialist I get to go to fun places with Sam during the week as well as work on any skills around the house he would like to learn. It makes me feel good about myself to know I am making a difference in someone else's life and at Heritage Christian I feel that my work doesn't go unnoticed. – Kelly Odrzywolski, community habilitation specialist 

I feel like I’m doing what God wants me to do. I like helping people learn new skills so they can become more independent, and I enjoy the opportunity to build relationships with the people we support and their families. – Jennifer D’Addario, direct support professional at the home on South Forest

Carlton Maxwell

I came to Heritage Christian because I needed a flexible schedule, but shortly after getting hired I fell in love with the place and the individuals and Heritage became like a second home to me. I enjoy seeing the individuals grow and overcome obstacles that many feel they couldn’t do. I have been afforded the opportunity to learn and grow in a field that I knew nothing about. What gave me the confidence to stay was the values of Heritage Christian and knowing I already had these qualities in me and Heritage was just asking me to combine my values with theirs. – Carlton Maxwell, assistant manager at the home on Larwood