2018 ARGENTUM HERO: LEADERSHIP IN THE FACE OF A NATURAL DISASTER Lisa Thomas
Life Enrichment Coordinator Sabine Place, Orange, Texas Enlivant
When Hurricane Harvey tore through Texas in August 2017, residents and staff
at Enlivant’s Sabine Place in Orange, Texas, thought they had been spared. But not long after the rain stopped, the Cajun Navy was at their doors, informing them they’d need to release the nearby levy, which would force an evacuation of the community. The Cajun Navy began evacuating all 23 residents via boat to a church down the road. That evening, the staff and residents loaded onto buses with an eventual destination of a Hampton Inn hotel in Jennings, La., where they stayed for a month after learning their community was severely damaged. Following that stay, a sister community, Bailey Place, in Bunkie, La., was able to off er the residents another temporary housing solution for the next two months. Their last stop was Rose Place, another Enlivant community in Port Arthur, Texas, where they stayed until moving back home to Sabine Place nearly fi ve months after Hurricane Harvey hit. When Hurricane Harvey made landfall, Lisa Thomas, Sabine
Place life enrichment coordinator, was trapped at home with her family due to fl ooding. Just three days later, when roads cleared, Lisa joined her colleagues and residents at the Hampton Inn. When she arrived, she worked 12- and 24-hour shifts to allow other staff to rest who had been caring for the residents since the evacuation. Lisa quickly realized supplies were running out and morale was running low. She coordinated with local churches in the area whose mem- bers were willing to bring hot, home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the residents. She also secured donations for clothing, basic sanitation items, and even supplies for arts and crafts projects. When the move to Bailey Place came, Lisa arranged for a beautician to visit the residents to give haircuts, and while at Rose Place, the community was without a life enrichment coordinator, so Lisa gladly took on double duty, designing and scheduling activities for both communities. Lisa made a lasting impact at Enlivant’s sister communities during
their temporary stays. “If anyone deserves to be recognized it would be Lisa Thomas,” said DaLana Douzart, executive director at Bailey Place. “She touched our hearts and we will forever stay in contact with her. She is one of a kind.”
2018 ARGENTUM SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD James Arp Executive Director Belmont Village Westwood, Los Angeles, Calif. Belmont Village Senior Living
Through his passion for connecting with residents, establishing community
outreach programs, and supporting professional development for employees, James Arp, executive director at Belmont Village West- wood in Los Angeles, Calif., has created an exceptional community environment that’s hard to top. Since 2014, James has led the community into the Belmont Vil-
lage Presidents Club, which signifi es 100 percent occupancy at the end of each month—that marks 43 consecutive months at full ca- pacity, with a waiting list. Recent surveys have also shown that 100 percent of Westwood residents said they are given the opportunity to build friendships with other residents, while 94.8 percent said they were satisfi ed with the level of care they received. But anyone serving in senior living knows it’s never just about
the numbers. Under James’s leadership, Belmont Village Westwood has also become very involved in supporting the greater commu- nity, establishing a partnership with the Los Angeles-based JVS, a non-profi t organization that helps bring people out of poverty and locates career opportunities for them. James even off ers entry-level jobs in caregiving to the reliable and passionate hard workers who complete JVS HealthWorks® CNA training. “His commitment to community makes him a leader and role
model for his team inside and outside of Belmont Village West- wood,” said Susan Berger, director of sales and marketing for Belmont Village Westwood. James also encouraged his management team to get involved
by volunteering at a local food bank. Now, the team volunteers quarterly not just at the food bank, but by visiting VA patients and delivering much needed toiletries and other items, assisting with the Meals and Wheels program, and volunteering at the LGBT Senior Prom, among other activities. James’s spirit of caring was exemplifi ed by his actions during
the California wildfi res that ravaged parts of state in 2017. When sister community, Belmont Village Albany, was impacted by the fi res, James took in residents from other area communities and vol- unteered on weekends to manage the memory care neighborhood during 12-hour shifts.
MARCH/APRIL 2018
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