ELIZABETH SOTO


WHY I SERVE F


Tell me a little about yourself… I was born in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. We migrated to Chicago, IL, where my father worked in a factory. I attended the University of Puerto Rico and earned my MAR from Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico & Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart IN. In 2005, I completed a doctorate in ministry with an emphasis on International Feminism.


In 2020, I co-edited Liberating the Politics of Jesus: Renewing Peace Teology through the Wisdom of Women. I am passionate about women’s issues, racial justice and community development for the underprivileged.


I am a loving mother of two young adult married daughters. I lost my husband, Frank Albrecht, to Familial ALS in August of 2024. I have been a proud resident of the southeast part of Lancaster City for three decades but I continue to return to Puerto Rico frequently to care for my 94-year-old mother who is experiencing dementia.


When did you first hear of Landis Communities? We knew people who were residents of Landis Homes. My mother-in-law lived with us for several years but eventually moved to Landis Homes where she lived the remainder of her life. She was well cared for and we were grateful.


When did you realize you wanted to be a part of the organization? When I read that Landis Communities was building Landis Place on King, I reached out to a resident from my church and she connected me with Larry Zook. Affordable housing is very important to me so I shared the vision for this new project and offered to help.


What happened then? I helped the team to translate the marketing materials to Spanish. I wanted local residents and business owners to understand what was happening in the neighborhood so I visited with them and shared


orty-three individuals volunteer their time and talents as members of one of the five boards of directors overseeing Landis Communities and its affiliates. Tis column features a member of one of the boards and lists those who serve with the highlighted individual.


printed information. When it was time to meet with potential residents, I conducted sessions in Spanish. I was also interviewed on the Spanish-speaking radio station.


Elizabeth Soto


How did you come to join the Landis Quality Living Board? Evon Bergey approached me to join the board. As a board member, I could be in the forefront of moving it further out in to the community. I hope to bring more diversity to the clientele of future projects. I want to help those who are vulnerable or who may not have resources to have a safe and affordable home.


serves on the Landis Quality Living Board of Directors


How has your role with Landis Quality Living affected your life? I am at an age where I am dreaming about where I want to be while I age. Trough LQL we can explore and think about what the options are for me and many others. It is important to me that whatever I dream for me, I want that for others.


Why do you serve on the Board of LQL? I serve because LQL is looking for innovative ways to create attractive options for people to live life to the fullest. It brings me hope to be part of a housing solution for those aging.


LANDIS QUALITY LIVING BOARD MEMBERS


• Johncey Mathew, Chair • Susan Waterfield, Vice-Chair • David Hernley, Treas. • Judy Zimmerman Herr, Sec. • Mary Ellen Groff • Ben Lesher


• Gerald Horst • Mike Oberholtzer • Kevin Ressler • Elizabeth Soto • Keith Stuckey


Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2026 • 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20