Left to right – Gina DiMaggio, Foundation Director LeadingAge Minnesota, Megan Jarvie, Recruiter, Stacy Mohs, Director of Connected Communities, Karisa Hoeft, Director of Operations, Tina Nibbe, Director of Communications and Marketing, Kari Thurlow, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota
ELK RIVER – November 19, 2024 – Guardian Angels Senior Services was recently awarded a $600,000 grant to help tackle a wide array of challenges facing older adults in rural Minnesota. Sadly, for far too many Minnesotans – especially those in rural areas – “aging” is associated with a decline in overall well-being. Whether it be a decline in physical, emotional, or mental health, or often some combination of the three, those living in rural areas of the state tend to find it more difficult to remain in their communities as they age.
Whether it be fragmented care and services, social isolation, lack of sufficient communication across the healthcare continuum, or an insufficient workforce, rural communities are facing an uphill battle when it comes to caring for our state’s aging population. That’s where the Connected Communities project comes in. Simply put, Connected Communities aims to help senior care providers create integrated community ecosystems that support older adults and transform the rural aging experience.
“This generous funding empowers us to bring our strategic vision to life, enabling us to expand our mission beyond our physical locations and deepen our impact within Wright and Sherburne counties. By collaborating closely with community partners, service providers, seniors, and their families, we are bridging the gap between independent living at home and the supportive care offered in senior living communities. Together, we’re building a network of support that meets seniors where they are, fostering independence while providing the resources they need to thrive.”
–Traci Larson, President and CEO of Guardian Angels Senior Services
“The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation has always recognized that many people living and aging in rural Minnesota face increased risks and health disparities due to a lack of physical, emotional, and social resources that support health and well-being. That’s why we’re so excited to award this grant funding to Guardian Angels Senior Services, who have a robust plan to tackle these challenges head on in a way that will tangibly benefit older adults, their families, and the community as a whole.”
-Kari Thurlow, President and CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota
About Guardian Angels Senior Services
Guardian Angels Senior Services is a faith-based, non-profit organization that has been a trusted provider of compassionate health care, housing, and supportive services for seniors and their families since 1965. Offering a comprehensive continuum of care, our services encompass independent and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, spiritual care, and life enrichment programs—all thoughtfully tailored to address everyone’s unique needs. Operating across multiple communities, Guardian Angels Senior Services creates warm and supportive environments where seniors can thrive, and families find peace of mind.
About LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is a nonprofit, intermediary grantmaking foundation. It is an affiliate of LeadingAge Minnesota, a Minnesota-based association of more than 1,100 member organizations and 65,000 caregivers providing quality care, services and support to more than 65,000 older adults in independent living, assisted living, adult day, home care and skilled nursing settings. The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation seeks to transform and enhance the experience of aging by incubating new ideas and concepts to support workforce initiatives, care redesign and research.
About Director of Community Connections – Stacy Mohs
Stacy Mohs has been with Guardian Angels since June of 2016 after working in the senior industry since 2003. Stacy’s interest in working with older adults began at a young age when she started working at St. Benedicts Assisted Living in St. Cloud as a Culinary Aide. Her passion continued as she remained working as a PCA in a Senior Care Community and Home Care while completing High School and later, college.
Following High School, she attended St. Cloud State University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology and her Master’s degree in Gerontology, giving her a more broad area of study to grow her career opportunities connecting with our aging population. Stacy has shown her dedication and attention to older adults in many areas of her career as well as education. Stacy completed her Master’s Degree Thesis on Successful Aging focusing on how older adults can live well with the importance of ensuring all health areas are protected and embraced including mental, spiritual, emotional wellbeing and health/safety.
Stacy had a vision of becoming a senior care and resource advocate, assisting older adults and their families find appropriate resources and services to live well and create a positive gaining experience. Career changes have led Stacy to this point. She worked with Cherrywood Advanced Living for 4 years following college as a Life Enrichment Manager and Special Services Coordinator where her job roles ranged from hiring and onboarding new employees to creating enriching activity programming, managing policy and procedures and spearheaded the volunteer program. In her time at Cherrywood Advanced Living she created a Memory Care Program, Essence, which was trademarked for the company, highlighting resident individualization, staff education and attention to enriching the lives of those served.
Her time at Guardian Angels has been in Marketing where she had an opportunity to grow connections and bonds with seniors and their families in our community as well as connect with local businesses and service providers to become a ‘go-to’ resource for families. She is also involved with our local Chambers through Guardian Angels as well as her small side business in Big Lake.
Currently, as the Licensed Assisted Living Director, she continues to have an opportunity to advocate and educate residents, prospects and outside community members in the opportunities for seniors in our communities. With her time at Guardian Angels, Stacy has used her background to grow within her career and the company and gain experience that has groomed her to be a standout lead for a Connected Communities project. She has a dedication and passion that can’t be taught and a way of growing relationships for the betterment of those she serves.
“We are blessed to have received the Connected Community Grant from LeadingAge! This generous support allows us to extend our mission beyond our walls and bring vital resources, education, and access to seniors and their families in our community. My vision is big, and I am excited to lead this initiative and ensure that more individuals can benefit from the programs and services designed to enrich their lives and promote well-being. Together, we will strengthen the bonds within our community and empower those who need it most.”
-Stacy Mohs – Director of Community Connections
Learn more at https://www.leadingagemn.org/about-us/foundation/
