Each month, the Marketing Department sends out an e-newsletter sharing updates and stories about Vermont’s only Lifeplan Community. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about Wake Robin, this is a great way to discover the benefits and culture of our community.
The core of Wake Robin’s mission is to “create a sustainable dynamic community.” The Corporation recently achieved this goal through a major event. The Board of Directors unanimously supported Wake Robin’s leadership team’s decision to increase all 225 staff members pay by $2 an hour, thereby raising the minimum wage for entry level workers to $15 an hour. The change took effect in July.
This increase represents a significant investment by the non-profit organization in its people and their livelihoods. “This is huge,” one staff member said. “It was a complete surprise, and a welcome one. With cost of living always going up, Wake Robin took a big leap on behalf of its employees, and it’s a future my family and I look forward to sharing with this community.”
CEO Martha Maksym personally shared the good news with staff during group meetings throughout the day. “I am so happy we could increase our minimum wage to $15. It was a goal of mine by 2023, but circumstances pushed us to move more quickly. Our staff deserve the bump! They have been heroic during the past 18 months keeping Wake Robin safe and healthy.”
Wake Robin is committed to contributing to the state-wide discussion on the importance of hospitality and healthcare workers and continues to be a leader in the industry. The wage increase will make Wake Robin stand out as a premier employer, one who truly values its staff and invests in its long-term financial health. As organizations seek to fill many positions, this new policy from Wake Robin invites dedicated and compassionate individuals to join its workforce, receiving a livable wage even before the state of Vermont requires it.
Director of Human Resources Anne Levesque reflected: “We should care for our staff as they care for others. Ensuring that our employees feel valued is vital to us, and this pay increase for everyone shows that they mean so much for the success of Wake Robin now and into the future.”
Director of Dining Kate Hays
Congrats to Wake Robin’s very own Director of Dining Kate Hays who was a graduate among the 32nd cohort of the Lake Champlain Chamber Leadership Champlain program! The program is a professional development and community engagement endeavor which prepares grads to solve the biggest issues our community faces. The Chamber’s website describes the program as focused “on a different sector [each meeting]. Over the course of the class year, topics such as Human Services, Business and Economy, Government and Politics, Public Safety and Justice, Education, Healthcare, Energy and Environment, and Civic Engagement will be explored by the cohort.”
Wake Robin’s excited to have Kate bring her expertise to our entire staff. You can view all of the grads on the Vermont Biz website
Learn more about the Leadership Champlain program here!
It all starts with a good cup of coffee; talk smoothly flows after that first sip. Conversation topics range from how to make a good crepe and proper ways to fillet a pike fish, to name just a couple. Residents in their late nineties and early seventies join together, some arriving to Wake Robin this month, and some who’ve lived at Vermont’s only Life Care Community for decades. They call it Coffee Connections, and now that the state is over 80% vaccinated, they meet in person every Friday morning, ordering coffee, hot tea, and pastries from the Wake Robin kitchen and bringing plenty to chat about. “Coffee connections is like catching up with old friends,” one member said. “‘What’s going on in your life?’ and ‘how was your week?’ open up a world of conversation. There’s no agenda – it’s a space where we can learn about each other lives and truly feel connected to our neighbors.”
The Coffee Connections crew
Coffee Connections started as a need to meet the social challenges many residents felt during the restrictions of Covid. Staff brainstormed ways to make residents feel connected and not isolated. Exercise classes and Great Courses aired on 919, Wake Robin’s internal TV channel. Residents gave virtual presentations based on areas of their expertise, from sculpture to journalism.
Program and Events Coordinator Jena Necrason and Resident Services Coordinator Gretchen Roberge were motivated to offer more of a group dynamic solution. The goal was to create a virtual space where folks could have regularly scheduled social appointments. So Necrason and Roberge started casual Zoom meetings every Wednesday and Friday. “At the outset of the pandemic we realized it was crucial for Resident Services to still be approachable, especially during that difficult time,” said Roberge. “Coffee Connections provided that bridge for us and residents.”
Coffee Connections has met continuously since April 2020! Usually the conversation is open ended, but on two occasions the meetings were Thanksgiving and holiday themed. As Vermont increased Covid resistance, the group officially switched from virtual to in-person in May, when some restrictions were eased. What started out as a group of four to six people during the virtual meetings has now grown to a dozen or more! “It’s amazing that it’s in-person now,” one original member said. “It allows for anyone who’s strolling along to come on over and chat with the group! A resident who moved into the community just a few days ago joined and we were happy to have her, because we’ve all been in her shoes.”
Friendships have blossomed because of Coffee Connections. Bob and Alice, who moved here during the pandemic, became fast friends with Claire, a Linden Health Center resident, who came to Wake Robin when it was established in 1993. From first introductions on Zoom, the trio now meet regularly for meals. “Coffee connections has been a fantastic way of learning about people’s backgrounds and how they came here,” commented Claire. “I almost feel like a historian of Wake Robin in sharing all the transformations of the community. The group gatherings have been a real means to meet new residents and share my love of this place.”
Enjoying a good conversation
From empowering new residents to virtually meet their neighbors, Coffee Connections has matured into an informal and inclusive social group. Engagement is a major part of the Wake Robin culture. Whether you participate in pickleball, enjoy a larger group gathering like Coffee Connections, or prefer walking the trails with a single friend, there are many opportunities, small and large, to feel a great sense of belonging here.
Each month, the Marketing Department sends out an e-newsletter sharing updates and stories about Vermont’s only Lifeplan Community. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about Wake Robin, this is a great way to discover the benefits and culture of our community.
Andrea Longe knows Wake Robin well. She’s worked here for 19 years and started out as a receptionist at the front desk for 3 years. After earning her degree in social work, she moved on to the health services team. Now, as the Recreation Service Coordinator who manages programs for the Linden Health Center, she takes a person-centered approach in implementing ways to inspire and engage residents. Andrea curates the quality and experience of resident engagement, builds out calendar programing, and monitors the psycho-social-spiritual wellness of each resident. “I look at my job as collaborating with residents,” Andrea reflected. “What interests them? What’s something new they want to try? It’s important to really know our community in order to best serve them.”
Andrea loves her job!
The variety of events ongoing in the Health Center certainly reflect the diverse pursuits of residents. More than half of all Linden residents participate in daily exercises classes, which are offered both in person and through televised routines featured on WRTV, Wake Robins internal channel. Especially during the pandemic, Andrea noted that “fitness has been the most common outlet for residents.” Andrea and her recreation services team found ways to incentive cardio, too. A recent “Walking Challenge” prompted many residents to take part in an expedition in which over 300,000 steps were counted, and the winner was awarded a prize.
While day trips for Linden residents were paused during the pandemic, trips to restaurants, museums, and parks – just among a few examples – are a major part of the Linden experience, and fortunately they can soon resume. All Linden residents are vaccinated, and the first trip will be to the Shelburne Beach for a classic summer barbeque!
It comes down to relationships for Andrea and the rest of the Recreation Services Team. Relationships with fellow staff, residents, and residents’ families. The pandemic was a challenging time when families could not physically visit Linden residents, and Andrea recognizes the deep trust and support she and her team had from resident families. “Our relationships with families really strengthened because they relied on us to take care of their loved ones and we took that as our greatest responsibility.”
He supervises dining servers and welcomes residents to lunch and dinner, but many residents believe Dennis DeSimone, Dining Services Floor Manager, is the primary “cheerer-upper of Wake Robin.” Dennis sees his role in similar terms. “My main job is making sure residents are happy and all their dining needs are met.”
Dennis brings smiles to residents!
44 years in the restaurant industry, Dennis once owned and operated his own Italian restaurant and pizzeria. He’s worked in every role in the kitchen, from dishwasher, to cook, to server. The thing that makes him love his job is the interaction. He’s often the first point of contact when residents arrive for their meal. He makes sure to say hello and goodbye to everyone, and he personalizes every interaction. Approaching residents with a smile and good humor, Dennis is able to put residents at ease and make them feel included in a social environment.
Dennis plays a major part on the Dining Services team and collaborates well with chefs, servers, and the Director of Dining, Kate Hays. “He brings such great energy to the floor and a real personal touch,” Kate said. “The residents really respond to his cheerful demeanor and how he runs things.”
As he monitors the dining floor, Dennis sees how delighted residents are when eating fresh cooked meals. “I can’t emphasize enough the high quality of our food and the professionalism of our kitchen. Each recipe is prepared by experienced chefs.” Choosing a favorite meal at Wake Robin is hard because there are so many flavorful options, but if he had to pick one it would be the shrimp bake. “The fettucine mixing with the seafood is just unbelievable!”
When first arriving to Wake Robin, many things stand out. For some, it might be the community gardens and tennis courts; for others, the inviting neighborhood layout of the Linden Health Center. For Elise, who has lived at Wake Robin for 9 years, it was the décor. “When I first came here, I was blown away that all hallways were populated with framed fine art. It’s just so wonderful.” What was missing, Elise thought, was the local element.
“Lackeys” by Rett Sturman, oil on canvas
Construction renovations on the Community Center in 2019 provided such an opportunity. Expansion of the lobby area made for additional wall space to feature local artists. “Our thinking was,” Elise remembers, “that by bringing in local art, not only were we supporting local artists, but we were, in a sense, creating an art gallery at Wake Robin for all those who live here and who visit.” The residents formed the Vermont Artist Project (VAP) which was committed to acquiring original artwork by living professional Vermont artists for permanent display in the Community Center.
“December Morning Bike Ride” by Susan Larkin, oil on canvas
A big question remained: how to tap into the sprawling Vermont artists network to find pieces that fit with Wake Robin? VAP consulted UVM’s Fleming Museum, who recommended professional art curator Jessica Manley. Manley previously worked with UVM Medical Center in curating art for a new addition. “When Jess came along, it was like – thank heavens! We have a leader in someone who really knows the field,” Elise said.
Manley met with the VAP members and gleaned their artistic tastes, and then showed them Vermont artists websites. The members pored over works and when a majority of the 13 members liked a particular piece, Manley would bring it into Wake Robin for a final decision. Along the way (before the pandemic) the VAP group visited art galleries in Middlebury and Vergennes, and sometimes talked directly to artists themselves about a particular piece.
The VAP reviewed hundreds of works from over 85 Vermont artists. The group whittled down their selections to 30 art works, which now hang in the Community Center. The last acquisition stage occurs this month, as artworks in other mediums. including cut paper, fabric, and collage will be considered. Another interesting facet—Wake Robin residents and staff can submit their artwork to be chosen.
View from Mt. Philo
The Vermont Artist Project plans to create a written guide to the exhibit, with the hopes of having Manley lead a guided gallery talk sometime in the near future.
Elise sure was right. Wake Robin’s Vermont Artist Project has truly transformed the Community Center into a veritable art gallery for years to come!
Like a handful of other residents, Pat and Bill made Wake Robin their new home during the pandemic. They relocated from California and were eager to begin a new chapter of their lives in a quintessential four-season New England setting by Lake Champlain. “We fell in love with the environment,” Bill, a former public defender, said. “Wake Robin is our ideal place to be active both in our cultural pursuits, as well as in our exercise interests like swimming and hiking.”
L to R: Pat and Bill arrived to Wake Robin from California during the pandemic
While still living in California, Pat and Bill enjoyed the support from Wake Robin as they made their transition. The Marketing Team helped them finalize home choices through Zoom and FaceTime, and Wake Robin coordinated travel and lodging plans with them. “I’m so grateful to be here,” Pat, a career social worker, said. “When we arrived at Wake Robin and had to quarantine, we found the kitchen stocked with ‘Welcome Home’ food and gifts. The entire staff made our trip from California to Wake Robin possible because of their stellar communication, care, and dedicated manner to helping us settle in.”
Pat and Bill dove right into the Wake Robin lifestyle. They frequent the new fitness center often and swim laps in the Aquatics Center. They’ve also taken advantage of the one-on-one trainings offered by Wake Robin’s physical therapists. They’ve explored Wake Robin’s four miles of wooded trails, which is a great way to know the campus
Reflecting on the adventure he and Pat took, Bill was clear on how they’re doing at Wake Robin. “We know that this was the best decision we have ever made in coming to live here!”
Over the last year, The Wake Robin Marketing Team discovered the truth of the timeless proverb “necessity is the mother of invention.” The pandemic required that the campus close down to visitors, and in order develop relationships and engage folks interested in Vermont’s only Life Plan Community, Director of Marketing MaryBeth Dudley got creative.
Director of Dining Kate Hays gave a cooking webinar
Usually, on-campus events mostly bring in local people and those from the region. Going from live events to web events provided a tremendous opportunity to reach people from all over the country, and Wake Robin’s virtual programs attracted people from California, Texas, Florida, and a number of other states. People have truly come from all over the map!
Like many organizations, Wake Robin has utilized video conferencing to optimize its outreach. Marketing Admissions Planner Jane Mitchell helped curate topics to convey the scope of the community. “Nothing can replace visiting Wake Robin’s 136 acre campus in person. However, teaching interested parties about the in-depth care of the Linden Health Center, the many activities run by the Residents’ Association (WRRA), and how streamlined the admissions process can be – these are valuable insights that inform people in their decision making to come to Wake Robin,” Jane said.
Garrett Graff gave a presentation on history
Web events have taken two forms: webinars and group discussions. Webinars permit uninterrupted presentations, and can be informative about Wake Robin or just culturally interesting. In the spring of 2020, Wake Robin invited local historian Garrett Graff to delivery a presentation on his latest book.
At the beginning of this year, the Marketing Team organized a web event which focused on a very popular subject: mindful decluttering and downsizing. Regarding the experts chosen for the webinars, one Priority Depositor commented, ” The presenters have all been extremely interesting and have an amazing background for the work they do.”
A popular webinar on mindful organizing and decluttering
This spring and summer, informative segments on cultural life at Wake Robin will be offered. In May, a Q&A session will be held with the President of the Wake Robin Residents’ Association. You can find out more information here. Then in June you can find out about Inquire, Wake Robin’s Lifelong Learning Program, with Program & Events Coordinator Jena Necrason. Be sure to visit the News & Events page for all upcoming events!
