Pilgrim Place - What's New

Beginning August 16, Sue Fairley becomes Pilgrim Place’s Vice President for Health Services with an office at the Health Services Center, announced Bill Cunitz this week. Read Sue's background

In an effort to protect the environment and take advantage of new technologies, our annual report is now digital and on our website. This online report combines our usual set of facts, figures and donor lists with features that showcase some of the bold initiatives undertaken in 2009 to ensure the future of Pilgrim Place. Check it out.

In the latest edition of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging's (AAHSA) publication, Future Age, the first article about Generative Thinking features Pilgrim Place.

Click here to read the article.

Construction on the new Norton Garden Apartment/Administration and Pitzer Friendship Court/Amistad Apartment Buildings is coming along swiftly! See the latest photos of the Campus Development Project in this two-page update!

At a ceremony held to celebrate the completion of campus-wide energy use assessments, a new initiative was announced that calls for Pilgrim Place to reduce energy usage by 25% over the next five years. For details of the event, read article in Claremont Courier by reporter Landus Rigsby.

Children from the second grade at Oakmont Elementary School in Claremont recently created a colorful patchwork quilt of a poster that was titled: “Making Change in Claremont Through the Pilgrim Place Community Experience." In 24 illustrated vignettes, the students drew pictures that describe the scope

and breadth of Pilgrim Place's effort to bring hopeful change to our world.

See the beautiful Pilgrim Place campus and fascinating residents in this brand new video!

At ceremonies held in Washington DC in June, Richard Harris will receive the 2010 Arnold Goodman Award - named for an individual who set a standard of excellence and commitment to the work of UNA-USA that each year recognizes outstanding leadership among its chapters and divisions.

Ward McAfee was inducted in the "Hall of Fame" for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. Ward was a member of founding faculty for the university - and the first dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The Institute of Antiquity and Christianity, located in Claremont, has installed an annual lecture in honor of its founder and long-time director, James Robinson. Under his direction, IAC grew to international stature and became an vibrant center of shcolarly activity.

Jane Douglass and her work are to be featured in an exhibition at the International Museum of Reformation in Geneva, Switzerland - and will become part of the permanent collection at the Museum.

Leo Marmol became a Fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology, the hightest level of clinical psychologists in the U.S.

Donna Ambrogi and Linda Vogel led a session entitled, "Everybody Needs a Patient Advocate," at the 2010 Aging Services of California Annual Conference in Long Beach.

Gesine robinson has been invited to present a paper at the international convention of the Society for New Testament Studies in Berline. The paper, "An Update on the Gospel of Judas," will be part of the SNTS Apocryphal Literature Seminar.

As founding member and officer of the United Methodist Commission on Status and Role of Women, Jeanne Audrey Powers was featured in a Methodist publication on women to celebrate Women's History Month in March.

Ruth Harris was one of three women featured in the Boston University School of Theology, Focus for Winter, 2009/10 - for her role in building the World Student Christian Federation, the Frontier of the Mission Program, and the Mission Intern Program has strengthened ecumenical witness and action.

Beryl Moore was recipient of the Inland Valley Hope Partners' 2010 Founder's Award during an annual meeting to honor work of volunteers.

Watercolor Landscapes by Henry Hayden were featured at the Claremont Community Foundation's art gallery throughout the month of June.

Yasuko Fukada Shorrock performed an organ recital at the Claremont United Church of Christ - that included Toccata and fugue in Dorian Mode, J.S. Bach, Symphon6y #4: Adante Cantabile C.M. Widor.

See the changes on campus in this latest construction update!

We are delighted in the progress being made on the Pilgrim Place Campus Development Project! This two page update shows roofing the Norton Garden Building and the process of preparing the land and foundation for the Pitzer/Amistad Building. The construction time-line continues to anticipate resident occupancy of Norton Garden in December 2010 and Pitzer/Amistad in May 2011. Please contact Director of Admission, Janet Cromwell, for more information and to reserve one of the remaining apartments!

Visible progress is made each day in the Pilgrim Place Campus Development Project! This three-page update shows the framing of the Norton Garden Building and preparations for the Pitzer/Amistad Building.

Rev. Arthur “Art” Lawrence Cribbs, Jr. is a pastor of the San Marino Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC) in San Marino, CA. Prior to joining the West San Gabriel Valley congregation, he served as pastor of Christian Fellowship Congregational Church (UCC), San Diego, where he founded the church’s Community Outreach Foundation; the Coalition for Justice that addressed excessive force by law enforcement; co-founded Concerned African American Clergy and Laity that focused on HIV/AIDS; started refugee and immigrant outreach for Sudanese and Somali families; and produced and hosted the television special, “Stories of the Soul: Life after 9/11” for which he received an Emmy Award. Before becoming a full-time pastor, .Arthur served as executive director of the United Church of Christ Office of Communication and brings to the board an extensive background in broadcast news and talk radio.

Lynn Diamond is a physician specializing in geriatric medicine with a private practice in greater Claremont. A graduate of Brandeis University and Pitzer College, she received her medical training at the Stritch School of Medicine at Loyola University. Her internship was at UCLA Medical Center (Harbor General Hospital) with residency at the University of Texas Health Service Center. In 2008, Lynn was awarded the “Teacher of the Year for Family Medicine Residency Program” from Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.Lynn and her husband, Dr. Gary Kates, and two children moved to Claremont in 2002 when he received an appointment at Pomona College.

A social worker with a master's degree from UC Berkeley, Leslie Adams has dedicated her professional life to working with children and families in distress, becoming a specialist in the field of pediatric palliative care. She currently serves as Program Director of Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition, a California organization devoted to changing the way children receive comfort and compassionate care alongside curative treatment. In addition, she works as Community Liaison for Providence Trinity Care, the only pediatric hospice in LA and Orange Counties. Leslie and her husband Jacob moved to Claremont in 2006 when he joined the faculty at Claremont Graduate University.

A resident of Pilgrim Place, Eleanor Scott Meyers grew up in Merriam, Kansas but was drawn into various forms of ministry, both lay and ordained. She founded new organizations and created board structures to guide them, sat on local, regional and national boards, and served as an organizational consultant to various kinds of nonprofit boards. She taught at Union Theological Seminary and St. Paul’s School of Theology before being called to the presidency of Pacific School of Religion. In decision-making groups, Eleanor enjoys a reputation as a bridge builder and good communicator. Since arriving at Pilgrim Place in 2006, she has provided leadership to a revitalized arts program.

“We are delighted with the quality and depth of experience that these four individuals bring to a 'heads-up' visionary Board that embraces the challenges of a rapidly changing senior environment,” commented Pilgrim Place President/CEO William Cunitz. [December 11, 2009]

We rejoice in the progress that is being made in the Pilgrim Place Campus Development Project. This two-page update illustrates recent developments in the Norton Garden and Pitzer/Amistad Buildings.

John Pixley, regular columnist for the Claremont Courier, shared the good news of this year's "Festival Thanksgiving Story." Read story...

At the Health Services Center, new models of caring and living that move away from staff-oriented daily schedules – toward resident-centered care - continue to be explored.

To help in achieving this goal, Pilgrim Place has contracted with LaVrene Norton and Steve Shields from Action Pact – a national organization of Culture Change Consultants and Trainers –to conduct a two-day assessment of this community, its residents, staff and volunteers. Based on their campus visit, this team of professionals will make recommendations that will assist us to develop the steps needed to implement culture change (or creating a “home for the elderly” where residents are able to achieve their highest level of independence).

In early October, Alida Bray, CEO of History San Jose, visited Pilgrim Place and the Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art. Her visit is part of a Museum Assessment Program (MAP) - sponsored by the American Association of Museums - that the Museum Friends Board and Pilgrim Place undertook last winter.

The Museum Assessment Program involved a ‘self assessment’ by members of the Museum Friends Board and Pilgrim Place staff that included a review of the collection, its exhibits and programs, and the Museum’s relationships with other museums in the area. With significant experience and expertise, Alida's assessment and final report will provide a firm basis for establishing strategic goals for the Museum’s future that will focus primarily on enhancing outreach into the community.

August 25, 2009

Pilgrim Place entered a volatile bond market two weeks ago and emerged with the sale of
$26,500,000 in tax-exempt and taxable bonds to be used to finance a multi-year campus
development project. At the end of several hours of activity, all bonds were committed
with interest rates ranging from 5.00% to 6:125% — far below the not-to-exceed limit of
7.5% set by the Board of Directors in early July.

“Thanks to the efforts of our traders at Cain Brothers, the relatively low interest rates at
which our bonds were sold will save Pilgrim Place many millions of dollars in interest
payments over the next 30 years,” announced President/CEO Bill Cunitz. “And now
with the bond funds successfully transferred to all appropriate accounts, we are ready to
move ‘full steam ahead’ on the construction project that has involved many years of
preparation,” he continued.

Developed to position Pilgrim Place as a strong and viable senior community for generations
to come, the 20-month construction project will consist of additional housing for
independent residents, new administrative offices, an assisted living facility and a remodeled
resident activity center (to be named the Napier Center for Creative Change in
memory and continuing the legacy of long-time Pilgrim Place residents Joy and Davie
Napier). Demolition at the site of the 13-unit Norton Garden Apartment/Administration
Building will begin August 31.

Significantly, with all the newly-constructed/remodeled buildings to be certified by
LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) and registered with the U.S.
Green Building Council, Pilgrim Place becomes the first free-standing senior community
in the U.S. to have such a designation.

August 1, 2009

Dining Room Morrison Dining Services' monthly publication features Pilgrim Place's resident commitment to locally grown, organic, and healthy eating options. Resident-initiated discussions have led Morrison to develop new and innovative ways to establish sustainable dining practices within Pilgrim Place and other senior living communities. Once again, Pilgrim Place is on the cutting edge of healthy living and environmental causes. You'll enjoy reading the full article in The Morrison Way magazine.

At Pilgrim Place's 3rd annual "Catch the Spirit of Pilgrim Place." over 200 residents, staff and community friends enjoyed authentic African cuisine, artifacts and drumming ... a silent auction with proceeds to benefit residents in financial need ... and a program featuring three residents, Ron Evans, Ruth Brown and Dean Gilliland who served Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria respectively.

In an evening that celebrated the partnership Pilgrim Place shares with community friends, Al and Ruby Beily were recognized for their dedicated volunteer service as recipients of the 2009 Volunteers of the Year Award. Al was a member of the Pilgrim Place Board of Directors for 11 years, serving as Treasurer Chair of the Finance Committee, and a member of the Executive Committee, while Ruby was not only a member but chair of the Food Services Committee for many years. Al also has been a member of the the Board of the Petterson Museum Friend for 10 years, serving as Financial Coordinator during most of his tenure. Click here to read the Claremont Courier's coverage of the event.

Pilgrim Place distinguishes itself in many ways - ways that make it virtually unique among non-profit, multi-level retirement communities. One of these ways is the amount of volunteer labor that Pilgrim Place contribute to the smooth functioning of the community. Recently, Pilgrim Place resident Gordon Douglass undertook a study to determine just how significant that volunteer help is financially. Click here to read results of Gordon's study along with Moderator Dean Freudenberger's reflection (page 2)

Pilgrim Place recently received $52,570 to assist with program development and facility improvement at the Health Services Center. The grant will allow us to expand our Enrichment Center Adult Day Program - a partnership with Community Senior services. This program is carefully designed to enhance the quality of life for seniors with cognitive and physical limitations by providing meaningful social, recreational and restorative activities. And, importantly, family members serving as caregivers are given a respite. In addition the grant will fund the repair and rebuilding of a secure fence around southwest patio at Health Center, also used by Enrichment Program, and purchase of a 4-passenger electric cart.

Ground Breaking Ceremony Held

Before an audience of residents, staff, city officials, project planners and community friends. President/CEO "officially" launched Pilgrim Place's multi-phase Campus Development Project (see photo). Others who gave brief remarks were: Board Chair John Mills; Town Meeting Moderator Jane Douglass; Aging Services of California Jack Christy; and members of Claremont's City council, including Mayor Pro Tem Corey Calaycay, along with Linda Elderkin, Sam Pedroza and Peter Yao (see photo). The Pilgrim Pickers, led by Jim Manley who composed two songs for the occasion, entertained the audience with musical selections (see photo).

LEED-Certified Project!

Consistent with Pilgrim Place's commitment to move toward a "green" future, the multi-phase project will incorporate rigorous energy-efficient and sustainable standards allowing the project to be awarded LEED-certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Once completed, Pilgrim Place may be the first free-standing retirement community in the United States to have not one, but three such buildings!

Click here to view details, including building renderings and floor plans.

Even as we enhance our residential campus life, Pilgrim Place is joining other long term care providers across the country to change people's attitudes about nursing homes. Moving away from the traditional model that forces residents to adapt to the daily routine of the staff, Pilgrim Place is moving toward a much more resident-centered model. We anticipate that a "greenhouse" or "Eden Alternative" option will transform the culture of the entire Health Services Center in the coming months and years. For more information

One of the first steps to be taken to change the culture of our Health Services Center will be to introduce steam table or buffet-style dining, since centralized tray service seems to be incompatible with enhanced dining in long term care. A steam table or buffet service brings the signs, sounds and smells of good food into the residents' dining room, allowing choice, change of mind and appetite stimulation with point-of-service dining. We are grateful to Morrison Senior Dining for their creative approach to resident dining satisfaction.

To achieve a more comprehensive approach to culture change at the Health Services Center, capital is being sought to hire a consultant who will guide our clinical and administrative staff through the initial process of re-thinking how we operate and make decisions about resident care during 2009.

Much has been written about this concept of enhancing the quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents by de-institutionalizing long-term care and transforming the nursing home environment into one centered on the residents. You will find the following articles helpful and encouraging.

Culture Change Almost Home

A Program of Educational Outreach
The Pilgrim Place Petterson Museum of Intercultural Art contains revolving exhibits of international fine art, folk art and material culture covering many centuries of human history. Now teachers and other groups can check out boxes of these beautiful treasures from various geographic regions of the world for the purpose of providing a hands-on educational experience for students and group members. Learn more...

Pilgrim Place Resourcing Partners was launched several months ago to link the talents of Pilgrim Place residents with specific needs in the wider community. Under the leadership of resident Paul Minus, Board president John Mills and a steering committee, the group has identified specific areas where Pilgrims' expertise and experience will be offered to institutions in the greater Southern California area. Learn more...

McCabe Grant Enhances Quality of Care at the Health Center

Thanks to a $69,000 grant from the B.C. McCabe Foundation, Pilgrim Place will be installing a wireless nurse call system so that our staff can communicate silently, more efficiently and with less distraction to residents, staff and visitors. In addition, new flat-screen, 19-inch televisions with specialized wireless headsets will be purchased that will enhance the quality of life for residents ... especially for those who are non-ambulatory and rely on television for their connection to events around the world, as well as for those who have varying degrees of hearing loss. Moreover, without the intrusive noise from existing TV sets, each resident will be able to use and enjoy his or her own television.

Claremont Named #5 Best Small City in USA
Money magazine has updated its list of the best 100 Best Small Cities in the United States, and Claremont ranked #5. The article extols the city's attributes which include our charming Village of shops, restaurants, an Art Movie Theater and a new upscale boutique hotels, its many trees and the colleges (the "the city of trees and PhD's"), its proximity to mountains, Pacific coast beaches and LA.