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Best and Brightest® Designation 23 Years Running

Brio Living Services is proud to announce that it has received the designation of Best and Brightest Company to Work For® in West Michigan. Brio has received this honor every year since 2003.

This national program honors organizations that “are truly innovative in their employee engagement execution,” according to a press release by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR): “Only companies that distinguish themselves as having the most innovative business acuteness and human resource practices can be bestowed this honor.”

Jennifer Kluge, President and CEO of NABR and The Best and Brightest Program, emphasized that “these companies have excelled by prioritizing their workplace culture. By putting their employees first, this exceptional group of top-tier leaders has created a strong foundation that sets them apart as leaders in their industries and communities.”

Each company is evaluated by an independent research firm on such key measures as Compensation, Benefits, and Employee Solutions; Employee Education and Development; Creative Wellness and Wellbeing Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement, and Retention; Recruitment and Selection; Leadership, Strategy, and Company Performance; and Work-Life Blend to name a few.

“We don’t take for granted that this is a recognition we have received for several years. We focus on this achievement each year and work hard to sustain this quality measure,” said Michelle Baldwin Henderson, Chief Human Resources Officer for Brio Living Services. “We know that our team members have a choice to serve at our organization or many others. We are honored they continue to choose Brio to care for older adults. We are thrilled to receive the Best and Brightest certification again this year.”

NABR has over 25 years of experience in identifying best human resource practices and providing benchmarking for companies, like Brio Living Services, that continue to be leaders in employment standards.

Brio Living Services was honored, along with other West Michigan Best and Brightest Companies to Work For®, at an event on May 21, 2025 at The Pinnacle Center in Hudsonville, MI.

To learn more about the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® program, visit thebestandbrightest.com. For more information about Brio Living Services, go to MyBrio.org or visit MyBrioCareers.org to join our team in a job you’ll love.

New Robots Serve Up Smiles

Bonnie and Jasper are the latest additions to the Assisted Living dining room at Brio Living Services’ community, Porter Hills Village, quietly delivering meals, piping hot, from the kitchen to the residents.  “They have quickly become a vital part of the dining experience,” says Ann Marie Villareal, Senior Director of Dining Services of the pair of robots that have recently joined the dining team.

The size of the Assisted Living dining room previously meant the wait staff had a lot of walking to do. “It’s a hike to get from the kitchen at one end to tables at the far end,” explains Ann Marie. “Now the robots can do much of the traveling back and forth.”

“The robots have been an awesome addition to the team, allowing them to spend more time with residents and tend to their needs more efficiently,” says Chef Manager Dante Owens. The robots are programmed with routes to each table, but will stop if anything is in their way. The cooks place plated meals on the robots’ three shelves, and the robots deliver them to the tables where servers are ready. The robots also help bus tables at the end of the meal.

“We love our robots!” says Andrea Darling, a retired health and physical education teacher who has lived at Porter Hills Village for 5 years. “We’re really fascinated with them.”

The robots look friendly with their animated eyes. They can say “Good morning,” play music, even sing “Happy Birthday.”

Brio is also excited to add robots to the Chelsea Retirement Community dining team. The robots have been a welcome addition at Assisted Living and are now being introduced at the Fireside Grille in Dancey House Independent Living. As we continue to pilot the robots, we look forward to adding them at more Brio locations to assist our teams.

“No jobs are going away,” Ann Marie is quick to add. “The robots are helping to make our servers more efficient. It’s really surprised us all that they are so helpful. They’re not a gimmick. They are truly beneficial.”

At Brio Living Services, we are committed to excellence in all areas of senior living, including providing quality dining experiences for our residents.

UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Scholarships Benefit Avenues Member Navigators; Enhance Health and Wellness for Avenues Members

In April, the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation celebrated its Scholarship recipients, part of the Foundation’s Team Member Support Services program, at two reception events. Two of those Foundation Scholars are Avenues Member Navigators Princess Mahabir and Jessica Lincolnhol.

Princess began her career at Brio Living Services in 2018 as a med tech in the Birch Court neighborhood at Porter Hills Village. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she transitioned to her current role at Avenues, later pursuing nursing school and earning her LPN. Jessica also worked at Porter Hills Village, leading the Martindill Wellness Center, for two years prior to the pandemic. She has now been with Avenues for the past year.

Avenues by Brio Living Services is a life plan community at home program for adults 55 and up. With a focus on individuals’ health and wellness, the Avenues team provides personalized navigation services for its members to help them remain living as vibrantly and independently as possible in their own home.

Both Princess and Jessica are pursuing certifications in Wellness Coaching, thanks to their scholarships from the Foundation. Both say this added credential will be beneficial in their roles with Avenues members.

“We provide very personalized health and wellness coaching for our Avenues members who want to be proactive in maintaining their health and fitness as they age,” says Jessica who also holds certifications in yoga and personal training. “My favorite piece is the wellness side, visiting members in their homes to help them work on strength so they can lift a grocery bag or their grandchild, or to help them improve their balance.”

Princess echoes this sentiment. “The Wellness Coach certification will elevate my role as a Member Navigator and empower our members throughout their aging journey. Our members thrive when they have input into their goals and the wellness path they wish to follow. It’s an honor to walk alongside each of our members, helping them feel confident in aging well and remaining independent in a place they call home.”

Avenues Executive Director Paige Hendrickson says, “The strength of any organization lies in its people, and Princess and Jessica have certainly enhanced the Avenues Wellness Team. With their Wellness Certifications, Princess and Jessica tailor our Members’ lifestyle programming with empathy and creativity. Their presence and guidance make a difference in someone’s life every day!”

Jessica, who was a caregiver for her own grandparents, says she wants to share her experience with others. “Stepping into this role was like a dream job. It’s in my makeup, to help people where they are. I feel blessed to be in this role.”

With three children attending college, Jessica is grateful for the assistance she has received through the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation Scholarship. Princess encourages other Brio Living Services team members to apply for the Foundation Scholarship, adding, “If you feel a desire deep within to pursue higher education, a career, or your dreams, but you face financial barriers, don’t hesitate. Don’t let anything stand in your way.”

The UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation has provided more than $881,000 in Scholarships to 171 team members since the program began in 2014. There are three Scholarship rounds each year; Brio team members may apply for up to $3,000 per semester with a cap of $12,000.

Learn more about Avenues by Brio Living Services or the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Team Member Support Services Fund. Visit MyBrioCareers.org/ to find out more about a career you’ll love.

Focus on Faith – Podcast Shares Voices of the Village

As we celebrate Older Americans Month in May at Brio Living Services, it is important that we honor the older adults we serve for their many contributions throughout their lives. Each has a unique and important story to share. This year, the theme for Older Americans Month is Flip the Script on Aging. As the older adult population continues to grow in the U.S., it is vital that we transform how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging, to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions.

What better way to do that than to give older adults the chance to tell their own stories! Thanks to the state-of-the-art recording studio at Porter Hills Village (PHV), part of Brio’s recent renovations to PHV’s common areas, and the expertise of Chaplain Carl Pace, technology is helping residents share their life stories through a monthly podcast, called Voices of the Village.

Carl has been the Senior Pastor at True Light Baptist Church in Grand Rapids for ten years and has recently joined the PHV Spiritual Life team as a chaplain as well. He has his own podcast, called Every Day Pastor, to “help people with their faith walk,” says Carl. “Maegan Garlock, Director of Lifestyle and Wellness at PHV, thought the residents might be interested in creating their own podcast. It provides an opportunity for residents to share their life experiences, reflect on their spiritual journey, and try out the recording studio.”

Resident Kay Fellinger, a retired teacher, shared her story of growing up in Iowa and her grandparents who started a Methodist Church. “I was kind of nervous at first, but it’s a fun thing to do,” says Kay. “People who listen to the podcast—even my kids—say, ‘I didn’t know that about you!’ Carl is very easy to talk to, and the equipment is top-notch.”

Carl adds, “All of us have a calling in our life. The podcast is a good way for residents to get to know each other and find commonality. It also gives residents the chance to learn about the technology, that it’s something they can all use and it’s not scary.”

Currently working on his doctorate, Carl offers Bible study for residents and rotates with the other chaplains to provide Sunday worship service. “I enjoy the sense of family among our team and the residents we serve,” says Carl.

To listen to Voices of the Village, visit: Voices of the Village | Carl Pace, or to read more of our residents’ and team members’ stories, check out our Blog at https://foundation.mybrio.org/blog/. 

Meet Our Donors: Pat Winton Remembers Wife, Elaine, and Honors Her Caregivers

“We did everything together. She was my first mate,” says Pat Winton of his wife, Elaine, who passed away in February 2024 after living with frontotemporal dementia for seven years. Pat’s great appreciation for the care Elaine received at Chelsea Retirement Community’s Towsley Village Memory Care Center has led him to make a pledge to support the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation’s Team Member Support Services fund. This fund provides resources for team member Scholarships and Emergency Aid. After Elaine’s passing, he knew this was something he wanted to support.

“Elaine was so well cared for in the Fall Neighborhood [at Towsley Village],” Pat shares. “Renae Tomshany and so many others took such good care of her. At the end, if Renae was working in another neighborhood, she would still come and check on Elaine.”

Pat and Elaine were married for 62 years. They met in Flint, MI while Pat was a student at General Motors Institute (now Kettering) where he earned his degree in mechanical engineering. He later received his master’s degree from Wayne State University. Pat’s career began at GM, then led him to management, and finally as president and co-owner of Globe Tool and Engineering Co. in Dayton, Ohio. Their three children also work in the engineering field.

Pat and Elaine loved to travel, often as part of Pat’s work which took him to many parts of the world. As Pat neared retirement age, he started a new career with his U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton captain’s license. He and Elaine would spend weeks each summer cruising the Great Lakes where they logged thousands of hours on their boat, the Eleana, named for Elaine and their daughter, Deanna. They also sailed boats from boat building companies to deliver them to their buyers.

A resident of Brio’s The Cedars of Dexter since 2019, Pat enjoys his independence there, yet it was close enough to CRC that he could be with Elaine each day. Pat is involved with the Cedars Chips writing group, started by a former Cedars resident, Paul Schubert. As a result, Pat has written a book, Farmed Out in Ontonagon County, which tells of his difficult childhood.

“I hope my story of overcoming adversity will help someone realize that they can persevere and be successful overcoming problems in their own life.”

Learn more about the communities that make Brio Living Services so special, or visit the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation to find out how your support can make a big difference in the lives of older adults and our team members.

Controlling Stress During Stress Awareness Month

As April marks Stress Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how stress affects our daily lives and learn effective strategies to manage it. In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become an unwelcome companion for many of us, impacting our physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.

Before diving into stress management techniques, it’s important to understand how stress can affect our bodies and minds. Chronic stress can lead to various health issues, including:

Physical symptoms:

  • Headaches and muscle tension
  • Digestive problems
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Weakened immune system
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Fatigue 

Mental and emotional effects:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Mood swings
  • Memory problems
  • Decreased motivation
  • Emotional eating

Effective Stress Management Techniques

  1. Meditate! Taking just 10 minutes daily to practice mindfulness or meditation can significantly reduce stress levels. Find a quiet space, focus on your breathing, and let your thoughts pass. Apps like Headspace or Calm can also guide you through this process
  2. Physical Fitness! Establish an exercise routine that works for you, as physical activity is a natural stress reliever. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga session, or high-intensity workout, exercise releases endorphins – our body’s natural mood elevators. Thirty minutes of exercise per day is recommended.
  3. Get some sleep! Maintaining healthy sleep habits is essential for stress management. Create a consistent schedule and develop a relaxing bedtime routine, including limiting screen time, reading a book, or taking a warm bath.
  4. Set boundaries! Learn to say “no” when necessary and establish clear boundaries between work, family, and personal life. This is especially important in our increasingly connected world, where work can easily spill into our downtime.
  5. Manage your time! Poor time management often leads to increased stress. Some strategies to try are to-do lists, setting realistic deadlines, and prioritizing your most important tasks.
  6. Maintain social connections! Strong social support networks can help buffer against stress. Make time for friends and family, join community groups, or consider talking to a therapist if you need professional support.
  7. Eat healthy! A balanced diet can help your body better cope with stress. Focus on limiting caffeine and alcohol, staying hydrated, avoiding excessive sugars, and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.

Implementing Stress-Relief Strategies in Daily Life

The key to successful stress management is finding what works for you and making it a regular part of your routine. Remember that stress management is not one-size-fits-all. What works for one person might not work for another. Explore different techniques and develop your own personal stress-management strategy.

Through our mission, vision, and guiding beliefs, Brio Living Services is committed to supporting our team members, residents, participants, elders, and family members in living a full and balanced life. To learn more about our services and options, visit our website.

Cook Valley Estates: A Brand to Match the Community

In October 2024, the Brio Living Services Marketing team embarked on a journey to create a brand and logo that signifies the individuality, welcoming feel, and unique services that Cook Valley Estates provides. Focus groups were held with residents and outside prospects to gather information on how to best embody what our community truly represents.

Based on these focus groups and a thorough immersion process, the Marketing team felt it was important to connect to Cook Valley Estates’ vibrant lifestyle and all that it symbolizes. Our goals for a new brand and logo were simple: maintain the name of Cook Valley Estates, while better representing, visually, how special the community is. We also wanted to be sure Cook Valley Estates could stand out in the very competitive Grand Rapids retirement community market.

After an exciting day of celebration on April 16 with team members and residents, we are proud to introduce the new logo for Cook Valley Estates:

“This new brand and logo has been a long time coming for Cook Valley Estates, and it finally gives visual representation to match what life is really like for the residents. This logo will undoubtedly stand out in the local retirement community market and continue to set Cook Valley Estates apart as the premiere standard for independent living in Grand Rapids,” shares James Kelly, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Brio Living Services.

The leaf element of this logo symbolizes the distinct beauty of the campus grounds, while the geometric detail within the leaf represents the individuality and freedom of our residents and team members. The vibrant and natural colors reflect the many ways to grow and enjoy life at Cook Valley Estates.

Jessica Scheuerman, Corporate Creative Director for Brio Living Services and the creator of the logo, states, “it was very important for the colors in the logo and design elements to represent what the residents shared was a favorite feature of the community, which was nature. The residents at Cook Valley love the walking paths throughout campus and the wildlife.”

The leaf is also a connection to our overarching organization, Brio Living Services, which contains a tree as the main feature of the logo. These two logos, along with the sister community of Porter Hills Village, all complement one another, just as our communities do.

We thank our residents and team members for their support and valued feedback along this journey. There is much to look forward to at Cook Valley Estates, and this is just the beginning!

Avenues: Offering a Feeling of Security and Independence

Dr. Bobbi Thornburg, a retired radiologist, recently became a member of Avenues by Brio Living Services. Avenues is a continuing care at home program that allows you to age in the home you love.

Bobbi grew up in Nebraska, completed X-ray tech school in Colorado, then worked in Tucson while completing her undergraduate degree part-time. Bobbi decided to go to medical school and came to Michigan in 1990 for a radiology residency. She started her career at Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

In 2012, Bobbi and her partner purchased their dream home in coastal California, but her partner became ill with lung cancer the following year. They were able to be married in their California home before her partner passed away. Bobbi retired from her career as a radiologist during the COVID pandemic.

At this point, Bobbi realized her friends and support system were in Michigan. Her parents in Nebraska had passed away, and her younger brother and his family live in Kansas. “What do you do when you don’t have family close-by?” Bobbi says. “You never know—your life can change in an instant.”

Bobbi decided to stay in Michigan in the home she remodeled, with Asian and vegetable gardens and her chickens. She learned about Avenues from friends of hers who are members. She made a call and joined Avenues in October.

“They do a thorough vetting process,” says Bobbi about Avenues’ executive director, Paige Hendrickson and team. “Paige met with me and told me about the program. Katlin Mills, Sales Advisor, is wonderful, very smart and compassionate. Jessica Lincolnhol was assigned as my Avenues navigator I can go to with questions. We really clicked.”

For Bobbi, the best part of Avenues is the feeling of security it provides for her. “It has taken away a great deal of anxiety for me and worrying if I would need some kind of help in the future. Now, I have someone to call. It’s really nice to have that—to know someone is there, and they’re a good team.”

If aging in place in the home you love sounds like the perfect way to retire, learn more about how you can become an Avenues member!

Brio Announces PACE Partnership in Southwest Michigan

In an effort to grow home- and community-based services available to older adults in the region, Region IV Area Agency on Aging and Brio Living Services have agreed to partner to support the critical community-focused work of the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) of Southwest Michigan.

Effective April 1, 2025, the new partnership will allow PACE of Southwest Michigan personnel to focus on hands-on, quality care, while many administrative functions will be supported by Brio’s extensive team of PACE experts.

“Together, our organizations’ ability to share widely recognized best practices, knowledge and administrative leadership will achieve superior outcomes and create more opportunities for local older adults to participate in our program,” said Michael Zdrodowski, executive director of PACE of Southwest Michigan. “Our team members can focus on providing the best care possible, while Brio provides administrative support. It’s a win-win for all of us.”

PACE of Southwest Michigan opened the Day Center in St. Joseph, Michigan in Sep. 2012 and has since served more than 759 total participants. The partnership originally consisted of Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, and Corewell Health Hospice and Palliative Care.  Corewell Health will remain as a key community care provider to PACE of Southwest Michigan participants so their care and supports can remain local and close to home.

“We began with a small team of caregivers, physicians, and social workers, and enrolled 64 participants during our inaugural year,” Zdrodowski said. “Since then, we have expanded to over 100 professionals who currently serve 250 participants throughout Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Southwest Michigan.  We partner with more than 90 local and regional service providers to ensure that participants can successfully age in their own homes and communities.”

Luke Reynolds, Brio’s chief of home and community-based services, said, “We are excited to welcome PACE of Southwest Michigan to the Brio family and delighted to have Mike and his team join us on our journey to better serve older adults.”

This decision follows six months of due diligence that was carefully considered by the boards of PACE of Southwest Michigan, Region IV AAA, and Brio Living Services.

“We have worked thoughtfully to ensure not just the right skillset fit, but the right ethos and culture fit for all the PACE of Southwest Michigan team members and the people they serve,” said Steve Fetyko, Brio Living Services’ president and CEO. “We are deeply honored to partner with Region IV Area Agency on Aging to support the wonderful work of PACE of Southwest Michigan and are excited about our future together.”

“We are honored to support the vital work of PACE of Southwest Michigan. This partnership aligns seamlessly with our mission of ‘Offering Choices for Independent Lives’ and expanding home- and community-based services (HCBS) options,” said Christine Vanlandingham, Region IV Area Agency on Aging CEO. “By assisting individuals in their setting of choice, we enhance their quality of life and ensure they can age with dignity and independence. Our longstanding commitment as a founding partner to PACE of Southwest Michigan emphasizes our dedication to providing comprehensive care and support to older adults within our community.”

“This partnership is not just about expanding Brio’s footprint,” added Reynolds. “It’s about embracing new opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of the older adults we care for. Together, we are stronger, and our commitment to providing exceptional care is unwavering.”

With the addition of PACE of Southwest Michigan, Brio is now a partner or full operator of four of Michigan’s fourteen PACE sites. Learn more about Brio’s PACE centers.