Trinity Village invites you to watch "Behind COVID-19" with Tania, our Nursing Administrative Assitant here at Trinity Village.

Through this series of interview videos go behind the scenes and meet members of the Trinity Village community, hear them share their unique perspectives of working, and serving others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trinity Village invites you to watch "Behind COVID-19".
Through this series of interview videos go behind the scenes and meet members of the Trinity Village community, hear them share their unique perspectives of working and serving others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, meet Fantu, our Cafe Coordinator here at Trinity Village.

Trinity Village invites you to watch "Behind COVID-19".
Through this series of interview videos go behind the scenes and meet members of the Trinity Village community, hear them share their unique perspectives of working and serving others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, meet Michelle, one of our Board Members here at Trinity Village.

Meet Jocelyn – a Personal Support Worker (PSW) at Trinity Village Care Centre.

Jocelyn’s journey with Trinity Village began as a volunteer. When she finished her schooling, she started volunteering Mondays to Thursdays from 8am to 2pm. “I have a hard time being still,” she says, “It gave me a lot of confidence – and allowed me to become familiar with the environment and the people.”

Jocelyn’s role allows her to be a big part of the residents’ lives, “I get to be myself with them, and they love it,” she says, “they appreciate authenticity.”

Something that has surprised Jocelyn about her role is the diverse types of dementia. “School gave me a foundation, but actually being around dementia has taught me acceptance and how to go with the flow.”

“I have a very strong connection with the team,” she says, “We are organized and hard-working, we are like a family.”

Jocelyn is a true believer in “you get what you give”. She gives happiness and respect and in return, she has formed true relationships and bonds with the residents she cares for and the people she works with.

Meet Julie – Lead Recreationist for the Trinity Village Adult Day Program (ADP).

Julie has been with Trinity Village for seven years. She started as a Recreationist in the Care Centre and has now been with ADP for six years. “I love being a part of the day program,” Julie says, “every day is different.”

As Lead Recreationist, Julie’s day goes by very fast. From setting up to program planning, her main focus is on the clients. “The emphasis is showing them [the clients] that life is not over. Keeping them engaged and active is also important; we may not have it all together, but together we have it all.”

Outside of work, Julie and her husband are avid travellers. Last year, they visited Croatia and Greece for five weeks. They have also visited New York City, Italy, Slovenia, Bosnia, St. Lucia, Cuba, Vegas, and are planning a trip to California for this year.

“If I could describe Trinity Village in one word, it would be – innovative. From a Recreation standpoint, we are always coming up with something new, and we aren’t afraid to try new things.”

Thank you for sharing your story, Julie!

The Opening Minds through Art (OMA) program facilitators and the Trinity Village community would like to congratulate Sophie Pettit on being the recipient of one of 2019’s France-Anne Sweeny “Making a Difference” Awards! 

The France-Anne Sweeny award is a Grade 11 Award and Graduate Award program available in all secondary schools within the Catholic and Public boards within Waterloo Region. The award, presented to Sophia, is the first level of the program. Each high school, through an application process, will select one Grade 11 award winner who will have a charity of their choice to donate to.

We are very honoured that Sophia has chosen the OMA program as the donation recipient.

The OMA program is an intergenerational art program where students are paired with Elders living with dementia, aimed at promoting their social engagement, autonomy, and dignity through the experience of creative self-expression.

During her time with OMA, Sophia – a now Grade 12 student at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute – learned about dementia, how to communicate with older adults with dementia and various aspects of the OMA program. Sophia had the pleasure of being partnered with Irene, who happened to turn the age of 100 during their eight weeks together. Sophia also has a Great Grandmother who resides at Trinity Village Care Centre.

 “Irene’s big heart radiated boundless warmth and kindness, and I was incredibly fortunate to get to be there with her to celebrate her 100th birthday,” Sophia says, “Irene left a clear mark on my life and I’m so glad that I got to spend time with her.”

We are very proud of Sophia’s achievements with the OMA program and she has certainly made a difference in enhancing the lives at Trinity Village.

OMA’s mission is to build bridges across age and cognitive barriers through art; thank you Sophia on helping us to continue building bridges with our community.

The OMA team and the Trinity Village community wish Sophia all the best for her future in volunteering and with her continued education.

The France-Anne Sweeny "Making a Difference" Fund is a fund within Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. For more information, visit their website at http://www.kwcf.ca

Kitchener, Ontario, December 12, 2019 – Trinity Village, owned and operated by Lutheran Homes Kitchener – Waterloo, is the first senior living organization in Canada awarded a Three-Year Term of Accreditation by CARF in five areas: (1) Adult Day Services; (2) Assisted Living; (3) Independent Senior Living; (4) Person-Centred Long-Term Care Community; and the additional recognition, (5) Dementia Care Specialty Program.

The CARF report notes, “Trinity Village is innovative and highly focused on person-centred care and best practices.” This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

“At Trinity Village, our mission is to create a caring community which values and fosters the worth and lifestyle of all,” states Debby Riepert, COO Trinity Village. “We are pleased to be recognized as a national leader in senior living. This wide-ranging accreditation is a public statement that Trinity Village has made a specific commitment to put the needs of our residents and staff at the center of everything we do and opened its service delivery and business processes to outside scrutiny to ensure they are of the highest possible quality.”

About Trinity Village

Trinity Village, a leading senior living community in Kitchener, Ontario since 1972. We believe that no matter what stage of life you are at, life is about continuing to grow. Having a purpose and value as an individual is imperative for a healthy mind, body, and soul. We focus on connectedness, relationships and finding joy in everyday life. We support an innovative culture of care in our efforts for residents, family, staff, volunteers, and partners to experience engaged and meaningful experiences.

Trinity Village is a not-for-profit, charitable organization owned and operated by Lutheran homes Kitchener – Waterloo, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Comprised of the Terraces, the Studios, the Care Centre and an Adult Day Program. Trinity Village is designed to offer progressive stages of living and specialized care. For more information about Trinity Village, please visit our website at www.trinityvillage.com

About CARF

CARF is an international, non-profit accreditor founded in 1966 that set standards of excellence for human service organizations whose programs and services cover the spectrum from youth to older adults in a variety of settings. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org

For more information please contact:

Debby Riepert
Chief Operating Officer
Trinity Village, Lutheran Homes Kitchener - Waterloo
2727 Kingsway Dr.
Kitchener, ON N2C 1A7
T: 519-893-6320 ext 250
E: driepert@trinityvillage.com

www.trinityvillage.com

Join our network of over 100 volunteers in this exciting new position, Annual Plant Sale Marketing and Sales Coordinator. 

Working closely with the Horticulture Manager, the Marketing and Sales Co-ordinator will further develop the marketing and sales strategy for the annual plant sale. Together, they will develop best plant selection for 2020 sales, marketing strategies, and sales location design. The Co-ordinator will follow through on marketing strategies and sales location design, while the Horticulture Manager will focus on plant material development and inventory control.

Click here for the official job description, duties and requirements. 

Meet Anna – volunteer at Trinity Village Care Centre since August 2018.

“My husband moved to the Care Centre and I started volunteering right away. I wanted to be closer to him.” Anna started as a dining room assistant and quickly started helping in other ways, whether through dancing with the residents or baking goodies for the staff.

When her husband passed, Anna continued to volunteer three to four times a week. “I formed a special bond with the residents, being here feels like a second home.”

“Whether it’s with a hug or a joke, it doesn’t take much to make someone smile. Just taking the time to show that you care about someone can go a long way.”

“I see a lot as a volunteer, and something that surprised me is how dedicated the PSWs and nurses are to their jobs. It’s hard work, and they continue to show up and put their hearts into what they do.”

When she’s not volunteering, Anna is busy with her five grandchildren, reading, cross-stitching, and watching Hallmark Channel movies. “I know those movies are sappy and silly, but they all have the same ending: a happily ever after…I had my happily ever after so I think everybody else should!”

Photo: Anna (right) shares a hug with a resident (left).

Meet Jennifer May – Activities Director at Trinity Village Studios.

Jennifer (Jenny) has been working at the Studios since February 2019. With a background in Therapeutic Recreation, she knew early on that she wanted to work with seniors.  

“I get to know the residents on a personal level, and I use what I learn to create meaningful programs and outings for them,” Jenny says, “It’s their calendar…not my calendar.”

Not only does she plan programs and outings, but she also spends time forming relationships with the residents, running focus groups, booking entertainment and more. “Each resident and I have our own connection, it’s important to form that type of bond because it shapes what I do here.”

Jenny has particularly loved working with the Wilfred Laurier University students that specialize in different areas, i.e. Music students to help run the choir, and Community Service-Learning students that work with the Horticultural Manager. “Trinity Village is a very team-oriented environment, everyone comes together – and it’s the outside partnerships that we have that make it even more special.”

One of Jenny’s favourite experiences at Trinity Village so far has been taking the residents to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton. “It was a moment that mattered; they were able to try a Virtual Reality Experience about the Berlin Blitz. It was so empowering for them to relive that moment in history.”

Outside of work, Jenny is a huge New England Patriots fan. Her most memorable vacation is seeing the Patriots play in Boston this year with her boyfriend. “It was definitely a bucket list moment; we have wanted to do that for a while.”

“What I do is special because I get to learn interesting stories about each resident on a daily basis. I learn something new every day.”

Photo: Jenny (left) completing a puzzle with Doris (right)