Author: Hillary Smith

Various Positions Available in Four Locations

One month ago today, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency as a result of COVID-19. Not long after, Gov, Ralph Northam issued an executive order mandating the closure of non-essential brick-and-mortar businesses that can’t ensure social distancing. These actions, while necessary to help stop the spread of the virus, have left many without a job.

LifeSpire of Virginia is still hiring. Workers who have been displaced by the ongoing pandemic are in high demand at our four communities. From dining services to facilities and housekeeping crews and nursing staff, positions are available.

LifeSpire of Virginia is a dynamic, growing organization that is an employer-of-choice throughout Virginia. The company offers competitive pay and benefits, including generous time off, health and dental benefits, educational opportunities and a 403B match.

Additionally, during this time of uncertainty, LifeSpire of Virginia is giving employees who test positive for COVID-19 additional paid sick leave to be used for the self-quarantine period. Full-time team members diagnosed with a confirmed case will be granted an additional 10 days or 80 hours of paid sick leave. Part-time team members diagnosed with a confirmed case will receive their average time worked a week for a two-week period. For example, a team member that averages three shifts a week will be provided 48 hours of paid sick leave.

At LifeSpire of Virginia, team members are part of an organization founded in faith and compassion. Residents and co-workers become like family and can be proud of working in an environment where we treat each other how we want to be treated.  The work team members do every day provides an essential service to the residents we serve.

In accordance with the Governor’s order, the application and hiring process is being conducted digitally. Interviews will be conducted by phone or video chat and application materials can be submitted via email.

For a full list of available positions, visit our community’s careers pages below:

Jobs at Lakewood
Jobs at The Chesapeake
Jobs at The Culpeper
Jobs at The Glebe

When the Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation for all individuals to wear cloth face coverings, Jane Scott’s concern wasn’t for herself. Instead, her mind automatically went to her daughter, Rachel Ann, who lives at the Mary Louise Kelly Home—a group home for adults with developmental disabilities provided through Hope Tree Family Services. Upon hearing there was a need for masks at the home, Jane took up her needle and thread and enlisted the help of some friends.

“Family members and friends began to ask for them. Our son, Ed, voiced a need for the employees at his company, EcoSeptix Alliance. Then, Hospice of the Piedmont called for masks to use in their work,” Scott said. “Another Culpeper organization is waiting in the wings.”

Together, she and fellow Culpeper residents Bess Brooks, Peggy Blank, Judy Maxfield, and Joan Blackwell along with friends in the community Pamela Dolgan and Norma Allen have made dozens of masks.

“We turned out 91 for the group home. They will share with other Hope Tree homes. At this point we are probably close to another 100 completed,” she said.

When team members at Hope Tree received the package of masks, they were overwhelmed by the mask-makers generosity. Theresa Carneal sent an email to Scott because she was too emotional to call.

“I was expecting 10 masks, not this amount,” said Carneal. “This is so fabulous; we don’t know how to thank you for this. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!!”

Scott said as long as there is a need and they have materials, she and her friends will continue cutting and stitching masks. Donations of fabric or masks are being accepted at The Culpeper. Donations may be dropped off at the main entrance security checkpoint or by mail to resident services.

On April 7, LifeSpire of Virginia obtained 8,000 N95 respirators for distribution to caregivers in the assisted living, memory care and health care areas at each community as well as 9,600 surgical masks for all other staff to use. These supplies were distributed to the four communities on April 8 to supplement the personal protective equipment already in use.

“It is critical that the members of our teams and our residents are protected with proper personal protective equipment. We continue to work daily at securing our supply chain and are expecting additional deliveries to continue next week and the weeks after. We are grateful to our partners for assisting our communities to obtain facemasks and other supplies. The health and safety of our residents and team members are our top priority. We will continue to take all possible measures to keep this virus from impacting our residents, staff and families.”

Paula Bolton, LifeSpire of Virginia’s director of clinical services

LifeSpire of Virginia is home to more than 1,300 residents and the management teams at each community want to ensure that all residents have access to a cloth mask. Therefore, donations of fabric or masks are being accepted. Donations may be dropped off at the main entrance security checkpoint or by mail to resident services.

On March 31, Chesapeake resident Jack Lynch surprised his daughter, Becky, with a visit at her home in Hampton, Va. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it had been at least two weeks since the two had seen one another. It wasn’t the visit they would have liked to have had, but it was the safest.  

“The family planned a group meeting and they wanted to be sure he could participate. So, we helped them set up a Zoom meeting,” said The Chesapeake’s Program and Activity Coordinator Krystal Searcy. “I got the camera and Transportation Coordinator Regina Morris did the rest of the work. Becky was so happy to see him!”

Searcy has set aside time in her schedule to assist residents one-on-one with virtual meetings. She said her goal is to keep things as normal as possible, given the circumstances.

“The residents are so excited and so appreciative. They thank us daily for helping them,” she said.

Restricting visitors was an incredibly difficult but necessary decision for the LifeSpire of Virginia management team. Knowing how important it is for residents to interact with family and friends, LifeSpire of Virginia’s information technology team shipped iPads to each community to ensure people could keep in touch.

“The team is working closely with staff on-site to use technology in a way that we hope will keep our residents connected,” said LifeSpire of Virginia’s Vice President of Information Technology Robert Wilbanks. “We feel these connections are vital to the health and wellbeing of our residents and will do whatever we can to make it happen.”

Community team members are also taking advantage of inhouse television stations to broadcast important updates, live entertainment from team members and virtual workouts with fitness instructors. Residents can also receive assistance with online grocery orders to ensure they have access to everything they need. Additionally, the resident services teams have kicked digital activities into high gear with video-based Bible study, health talks and online games.

Residents, family members or friends can contact the communities directly for assistance in arranging alternative means of communication with loved ones. Questions may be submitted via email at [email protected].

As many Americans adjust to a new normal of working from home in a virtual office, it’s business as usual for millions of healthcare workers across the country. Nurses, doctors, servers, housekeepers and facilities crews at each of our communities have shown up for work every day to make sure things run smoothly for LifeSpire of Virginia’s more than 1,300 residents. These dedicated team members are quite literally on the front lines of the nation’s battle against Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In order to show support and express appreciation, the LifeSpire of Virginia Board of Trustees and management team began sending catered meals to each community on March 24. LifeSpire of Virginia’s human resources team has done outreach and placed orders at local restaurants in the areas surrounding our communities.

Stephanie Clower is the Director of Nursing at The Glebe and she says the meals are another way LifeSpire of Virginia has shown its support.

“I have said many times over the last three years that LifeSpire of Virginia and The Glebe are truly the best company and facility that I have ever had the privilege of working for. I am so thankful to be a part of this organization. Your kindness and concern for our staff during this difficult time is so very much appreciated,” Clower said.

“Our intent is to continue to thank our dedicated teammates for their efforts, ensure they are getting a healthy meal and hopefully free up some time and energy from the culinary team members who preparing and delivering meals to our residents at their homes,” said LifeSpire of Virginia President and CEO Jonathan Cook. “Additionally, we want to do our part to support the local businesses and economy during this very difficult time.”

Meals were provided by Bellacinos, Three Li’l Pigs, Town Center Tap House, Grapevine, Saucey’s, Sportspage Mechanicsville, Luigi’s, Shawn’s Smokehouse, Grill 309, Vinny’s Pizza and Pasta, Smoke and Brickhouse Tavern. Each restaurant is open for carryout or delivery services.

Because our team members are on the front lines, many may not be able to come to work because they have been exposed to the virus or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms themselves. Each LifeSpire of Virginia community maintains an employee crisis fund to which a staff member may turn to in times of need. 

At this time, it is challenging to know the full impact on staff, but we are grateful to have the crisis funds to help those who may experience true hardship due to COVID-19. LifeSpire of Virginia staff members have the option to support the crisis fund through a recurring payroll deduction and many do. A one-time, secure online gift may be made here. All gifts are 100% deductible and will provide immediate relief to those in financial distress.

“At the heart of the Foundation’s mission, we promise to care for our residents and provide them with essential services and programs to enhance their lives. Behind the scenes, our staff plays a major role in providing these services. Supporting the crisis fund is a wonderful way to let our staff know we appreciate everything they are doing to keep our residents safe, healthy and engaged.”

Vice President of the VBH Foundation Jodi Leonard

Rachel Wallis’s family is very close. Ever since she moved to the Chesapeake, lunches and have been a tradition. Seeing her children is something Rachel counts on which makes the recent visitor restrictions quite difficult for her and all residents. On March 13, the management team made the difficult decision to restrict visitors and guests except for end-of-life situations.

• 

• 

The time apart forced her family to get creative. On March 29, her daughters, Linda and Elizabeth, and son, James, traveled to the community where they were screened by Chesapeake team members for symptoms of COVID-19. Showing no signs of the virus, they made their way to the courtyard outside of Rachel’s home and set up a picnic lunch. She enjoyed her lunch on her balcony and the family enjoyed each other’s company from a social distance.

The family wanted to show their appreciation for the care being provided to their mom, all Chesapeake residents and do their part to encourage the community during this difficult time. Armed with chalk and grateful hearts, the family decorated the sidewalks around the campus in the hopes of uplifting spirits and with any luck eliciting some smiles from residents and team members.

• 

• 

• 

By now, most people across the world have seen the viral videos of neighbors in Italy singing together from their balconies at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic there. The video is a heartwarming moment in an otherwise challenging time for the world.

Seeing the popularity, residents at Lakewood decided to organize a similar sing-a-long at the community. Participants were virtually invited to join in at 3 p.m. on March 27. More than 100 residents sang “God Bless America” from their windows, balconies or at least six feet apart on the sidewalks and courtyards. Residents in all levels of care participated in the event.

Residents Douglas Johnson and Bob McEachern reached out to the resident services team who assisted in the coordination of the event. Johnson said it was an opportunity for the community to come together even though they are physically far apart.

When Marcia Osbourne received a knock on her front door on March 26, she was delighted to find fresh blooms delivered to her doorstep. Courtesy of Bloomia—a wholesale florist located in King George, Va.— residents at The Culpeper received a bouquet of tulips.

“My room looks more like spring is on its way! Thank you for the beautiful tulips and the vase is lovely,” Osbourne said. “What a wonderful thing for you to do!”

On March 23, The Culpeper’s Marketing Director Rose Wallace received a call from the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce. As a result of order cancellations amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomia was looking for homes for hundreds of tulips. Wendy Zelazny, director of member relations at the chamber, said she knew exactly where the tulips needed to go.

“We’re very aware of all that the residents and staff at The Culpeper are sacrificing at this time and I can’t tell you how excited I was when Bloomia reached out,” said Zelazny. “They’re the hardiest tulips you’ll ever see too—they last forever!”

Bloomia General Manager Werner Jansen sent a crew on the two-hour drive to deliver the blooms. He said he hoped the flowers brought residents joy. Upon learning of the donation, Betty Brooks in resident services went out and bought vases and delivered an arrangement of tulips to residents.

“During times like those it is crucial we support each other. Spreading some happiness during those dark and isolated days seems to be the perfect fit,” said Jensen.

It seems his mission was accomplished as residents had permanent grins on their faces upon receiving these very special deliveries.

“When I opened my door and saw the flowers, I felt joy! It was such a happy gift to get and I love arranging flowers. It let us know that others are thinking about us always,” said Culpeper resident Vicky Chung.

Bloomia will continue its tulip drop tomorrow, March 28, in downtown Fredericksburg, Va. The drive-by pick up locations are in front of the Historic Renwick Courthouse and in the Fredericksburg Visitor Center parking lot. Anyone who would like a bunch of tulips can simply drive up to these locations, roll down their car window and receive a large bunch to take home at no cost. The pickup stations will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.