SPOTLIGHT: THE HEART OF SENIOR LIVING
An Apartment Where All Of Your Neighbors Are Like Family
By Sara Wildberger J
ust because you’re 18 doesn’t mean you can be completely on your own in this world. During the vulnerable
years between teen and adult, 18 and 22, everyone could use some support. Maybe that support could come from a grandpar- ent—or more than 130 of them. That’s the experience of two young men
now living and working at Maybelle Car- ter Retirement Community in Tennessee. Victor Malone, 19, and Jeffrey Tortorello, 18, had been two of five teens living in one house in foster care. But at 18, foster children “age out.” It’s a challenge nation- wide to give the support these young people need—and that’s the idea behind The Vic- tory Lap, which puts former foster children together with senior living communities. The Victory Lap program was founded by
Rosemary Ramsey, who has 15 years of ex- perience in senior living, most recently as vice president of strategic projects at Brookdale Senior Living. She explains the program: “The Victory Lap brings retirement
communities and child welfare agencies to- gether to improve outcomes for foster youth as they transition to adulthood. Currently, most kids who age out of foster care end up under-educated and under-employed, and many experience homelessness. The Vic- tory Lap leverages the kindness of seniors and the opportunities found in retirement communities to create brighter futures for these vulnerable young people.” Ramsey, Maybelle Carter, and Vitality
worked together with Omni Visions, a tri- state organization focused on helping aged- out foster children find long-term stability. “Part of the program is they both agree
to work at the community,” says Julie Pode- witz, chief sales officer at Vitality. “The community has a story in and of itself.”
36 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE MARCH/APRIL 2020 Fifth from left, Jeffrey, and seventh from left, Victor, with fellow staff. Maybelle Carter, a Vitality Living com-
munity, was founded in a spirit of embracing people as family: The property and original home were given to Maybelle Carter, leg- endary musician with the Carter Family, by another legendary musician, Johnny Cash, her son-in-law and one of many people she helped through difficult times. “You won't find a more vibrant, loving
community—not just the residents but the team members,” Podewitz says. “We’ve had some team members here for 30 years.” “Of course the residents love having the
young people here,” she says. “They kind of adopted them as their grandchildren. They’re part of the family.” The young men have a small independent
living apartment, work at least 10 hours a week in the community, primarily in dining, and also are required to work and/or con- tinue their education. The state mandates a
background check, health assessment, and drug screen, as for other workers. They also have a residency agreement to comply with community standards. Podewitz said the best factor for success
is to educate employees and residents and answer their questions before anyone new moves in. This helped make the move- in and the young men’s work training go smoothly. The new residents themselves are pleased
with their experience thus far. “It’s a unique experience that has taught me patience and given me the opportunity to succeed,” says Victor. “Living at Maybell Carter is an experi-
ence I will never forget,” says Jeffrey. “I truly care for each resident and feel like they are all part of my family.” For more about The Victory Lap, visit
thevictorylap.org.
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