Nicol Brown, NHA, chief human resources and compliance officer for Homeland Center, has been named a 2025 YWCA Greater Harrisburg Woman of Excellence. YWCA’s Tribute to Women of Excellence program
As a nurse case manager for Homeland Hospice, Batya Kassner finds the collaborative spirit and teamwork “amazing.” “Everyone respects everyone else’s role that they play, and everyone is more than
Ginny Jones has been guided by miracles throughout her life. During times of darkness, support has found her and helped her take the next step. For her part, Ginny’s faith
In the early 2000s, Nancy VanKirk’s mother and stepfather lived at Homeland Center. From the attentive care they received, VanKirk knew that Homeland would be her home when the time came that she would need care. “It’s a very friendly,
Anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one knows the journey through grief doesn’t have a timeline. Memories can flood our minds at inopportune moments at the grocery store or at milestone events when there is an empty
Kristine (Kris) Crockett, RN, CHPN, Director of Homeland Hospice and Homeland Palliative Care, approaches life with an open mind, always looking for opportunities to serve others. For more than 25 years, she has provided compassionate end-of-life care as a hospice
When residents learn that their nurse at Homeland is the daughter of Homeland Center Director of Nursing Jennifer Tate-DeFreitas, they say to Jennifer, “Your daughter is such a great nurse!” “One resident will ask me, ‘Did you take Malani out
Our pets are loyal and trusted members of our family. Their unconditional love and friendship brighten our darkest days and make the good days even better. Research has shown that pets, especially dogs and cats, can even reduce stress hormone levels and increase levels of feel-good hormones. The undeniable comfort pets bring
Of all the things Dorothy Yoder loves about Homeland Center, her favorite is the van trips. Excursions take residents to lunch at a favorite restaurant or visit local sites. “This past Christmas, we went to see a park in Elizabethtown where every single tree was lit up and covered with
For most of her life, Mary Patti lived and worked in New York City. She loved the vibrant, energetic nature of city life. In many ways, Mary’s personality mirrored that of the city. She laughed easily and often and was always game for an adventure. To know Mary, was to
Hanukkah has meaning for everyone because it recalls a time when a small, devout family of defenders repelled a force of invaders, Homeland Center Chaplain Dann Caldwell told residents attending a ceremony commemorating the Festival of Lights. “This is all part of the shared history we have as human beings,”
On a Friday afternoon in December, the Homeland Center annual holiday party returned for the first time since 2019. The scents of homemade food wafted through the halls. Music filled the air. Santa posed for pictures. And best of all, Homeland residents hosted family and friends as they shared their
When she was in high school, Emma Lengyel was passionate about making people laugh. “I was in every play and musical,” she said. “I also enjoyed writing and art.” Today, Emma still makes people laugh, bringing a note of cheer to the days of Homeland residents in her vital role
Bernice Shaffer once lived in a nursing home where the food was dreadful. Then she came to Homeland Center, where she says her first meal and all the others that followed were wonderful. “Chicken and waffles,” she remembers. “I like it here.” Bernice arrived at Homeland during the pandemic and
Though Todd Carver grew up watching his father serve as a pastor in Hagerstown, Maryland, he wasn’t sure whether he wanted to take a similar path. When his parents offered to pay for one year of Bible college, he took them up on their offer and attended Lancaster Bible College
Charlie Hubbard was blessed with wood crafting and photography talents and an eye for intrigue and fascinating designs. “It’s a lot of fun,” he said of his intricate woodcuts now hanging in the Homeland Florida Room gallery. “It makes just about everything a little bit different when you use different
When it was time to choose a retirement community, Bonnie Clapp knew where she wanted to live. “I picked Homeland because I wanted a place with a good reputation,” she said. “They run a good place here.” Since August 2022, Bonnie has been a Homeland resident–enjoying the activities and crafts,