United Methodist Homes in Shelton wins Mature Media Awards

SHELTON - United Methodist Homes was a winner in the 30^th Annual National Mature Media Awards Program. 

The program, presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the senior market, recognizes the nation’s best marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs designed and produced for older adults.

UMH, a local not-for-profit senior living provider based in Shelton, offers independent and assisted living, enhanced assisted living, early memory support, skilled nursing, and short-term rehab. Among the organization’s award-winning communities are Wesley Village (Shelton), Middlewoods of Farmington (Farmington), and Middlewoods of Newington (Newington).

The organization received a Merit Award for their e-book, “7 Myths about Life in a Senior Living Community,” in the category of publications and editorials for senior living. 

The book provides honest insights to common misconceptions about life in a senior living community.  It also discusses the anxiety many people have about making a move and addresses, with transparency, the issues of independence, cost, lifestyle, relationships, differences between assisted living and skilled nursing care, and more. 

The resource was designed and produced under the direction of UMH Digital Media and Marketing Manager Tracey Haughton.

“We see many seniors and their families overwhelmed by difficult emotions and misguided assumptions when they contact us for help,” said Elizabeth Schave-Bemis, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for UMH. “For a lot of people, the idea of moving to a senior living community brings great apprehension about quality of life. Our goal with this book was to offer credible information that would provide a more accurate picture of real life in a senior living community and promote a greater understanding of its benefits.” 

To download the free ebook, click here or visit: (https://offers.umh.org/7-myths-about-life-in-a-senior-living-community).

Additionally, UMH was also awarded a Merit Award for their digital publication, “A Legacy of Caring: How Connecticut’s United Methodist Homes Changes Senior Care for the Better”. The article takes a closer look at the legacy of United Methodist Homes senior living communities in the Hartford area. As stated in the article, “Over the last two decades, these communities have emerged as optimal solutions for seniors looking to continue leading meaningful, active lives in the Farmington and Newington areas of Connecticut while receiving the award-winning care United Methodist Homes is known for.” 

To read more, click here or visit: (https://storystudio.ctpost.com/2020/04/22/a-legacy-of-caring-how-connecticuts-united-methodist-homes-changes-senior-care-for-the-better/).

All entries were judged by a distinguished panel of mature market experts from across the United States for overall excellence of design, content, creativity and relevance to the senior market. 

To request the 2021 complete list of winners, visit: (https://seniorawards.com/mma_main.html).

To learn more about UMH, its mission and longstanding history of care and service to older adults and their families, visit www.umh.org or call 1-877-929-5321.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Valley United Way announces communications coordinator's resignation

Becca Toms

SHELTON - Valley United Way’s Board of Directors announced this week it has accepted with deep regrets the resignation of its current Communications Coordinator, Becca Toms, effective Dec. 23. She has accepted a new position as Communications Coordinator with UConn Extension. 

Toms has been working at Valley United Way since late June 2019. 

Originally brought on to help with United Way’s “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens in addition to fostering relationships with local businesses, Toms took on a variety of roles and responsibilities at the local United Way, playing a key part in the United Way’s Communications and Resource Development work.  

David Kennedy, VUW’s Interim President and COO commented, “Every so often, you get to work with an exceptional leader who inspires, improves your organization, and is universally respected for integrity and transparency, while being a fun team player who makes everyone’s work better. That’s what Becca has been for Valley United Way. We are grateful for her service and we will miss her very much, though we are excited for her to have a new opportunity that fully uses her skills and passions.”

Previously, Toms worked at Massaro Community Farm and had been working in the non-profit agriculture field for the past seven years before taking her position at United Way.  

After changes in the organization occurred in the fall of 2019, her responsibilities were modified at VUW to assist during the transition period. Part of this was taking on more of the communications needs, developing for VUW a social media presence, and supporting the organization as it went through its strategic development work. 

At the same time, she also worked to shift responsibilities of the “Grow Your Own” Neighborhood Gardens to Massaro Community Farm for the 2020 growing season.

Since spring 2020, Toms has been working part time with Valley United Way and simultaneously providing support to farmers through multiple programs run out of the UConn Extension Tolland office - where she will be continuing to work in an increased capacity. “While I enjoyed working with and in the Valley community during my time at Valley United Way, I’m excited to be able to give more attention and time to working within the agriculture community in CT, where I have invested a lot of time and passion over the years,” Toms noted.

Looking forward, Valley United Way will distribute the tasks Toms has been responsible for to different staff members and is also looking into other creative partnerships to continue the communications and social media work she has established.

“It won’t be easy to replace Becca as she moves on to the next steps in her career,” says Kennedy, “but we are grateful for the community and resources we have at United Way to continue our work of ‘Strengthening Families, Helping Individuals in Crisis, and Preparing Youth to Succeed’.”

As a leading philanthropic organization in Lower Naugatuck Valley, Valley United Way improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the community through philanthropy, volunteerism, and collaboration. 

For more information about the organization, visit www.valleyunitedway.org or contact David Kennedy, Interim President/COO, 203-538-6341.

This is a press release from Valley United Way.

TEAM, Inc. in Derby names development, communications manager

Lisa Savoid

Who? Lisa brings more than 20 years of experience in communications, sales, marketing and advertising, and development. 

Lisa’s previous work experience includes the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Cumulus Media in Bridgeport, Journal News, Digital First Media and AT&T Communications. 
She is currently involved in Ansonia’s Board of Education Community Conversation and Joel E. Smilow Clubhouse Advisory Board. 

What? Lisa will work with CEO David Morgan and the leadership team to increase public awareness and her leadership responsibilities cover TEAM’s entire service area throughout the Greater Valley region and surrounding communities. 

Why? After experiencing the for-profit industry and non-profit, she discovered her passion is to make a difference in her community. 
“Shortly after returning to the for-profit industry in 2018, I realized my love for non-profit and desire to return. I joined TEAM because I wanted to make a direct impact in my community," Savoid said.

This is a press release from TEAM, Inc.

Derby school board recognized by CABE for educational communications

Sharing press release from Derby Public Schools: