A $7million assisted living facility for aging JW ministers?

by EndofMysteries 50 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  EndofMysteries

  http://www.lvb.com/article/20140204/LVB01/140209972/Serfass-to-build-$65M-assisted-living-facility

  Who is going to get to stay here? The GB, CO's?

  Beginning March 1, Serfass Construction Co. will build an assisted living facility at 2051 Bevin Drive, near Lehigh Street in Salisbury Township. The site is across from the Hyundai auto dealership.

  The project, Legacy Place Cottages, includes an assisted living and memory care facility in two new single-story buildings, said Matthias Fenstermacher, vice president of Serfass of North Whitehall Township.

  The $6.5 million project totals about 30,000 square feet. The assisted living facility is owned by Jah-Jireh Homes of America, a nonprofit that cares for aging Jehovah's Witnesses.

  "The site was picked because of its good location, about a mile from I-78 and 309," said Darbin Skeans, chairman of the board of directors for Jah-Jireh Homes of America.

  The project will be financed by a commercial bank. Skeans said the organization expects to select a bank by the end of the week.

  The project should be completed at the end of the fourth quarter, he said.

  The faith-based community is mainly for ministers of Jehovah's Witnesses, Skeans said.

  More than 20 local trades will work on the construction of the new buildings, and as many as 50 workers will be on site daily during the nine-month build, Fenstermacher said.

  "It's going to be absolutely beautiful; it's one of those projects that we are very proud of," Fenstermacher said. "It's definitely modern looking but cozy."
• 

  punkofnice

  This looks like more of a private business venture where the owner capitalises on elderly JW's. We have some of these in the UK. The one I am familiar with ended up being owned by a Muslim but still had mainly elderly JWs in it.

  I notice also 'local trades' are involved....doesn't seem like the free labour of the R&F drones.

  The GB will be retiring in absolute luxury from the money scammed from the R&F.
• 

  4thgen

  "We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States Branch Office of Jehovah's Witnesses or any legal entity used by it."

  http://jjha.org/

  http://jjha.org/video.html

  For almost 30 years, Jah-Jireh Charity Homes (JJCH), based in Great Britain, has been providing loving physical and spiritual care to aging brothers and sisters. These well-running homes are a testament to the blessings that come from the generosity, support, and hard work of the brotherhood. There are currently five homes in Great Britain with another under development. Similar not-for-profit homes are located in the Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Canada, South Korea, and Denmark. In recognition of the needs of older ones in the United States, the JJCH board of trustees has committed its support and assistance as care facilities are developed in the United States.

  There is a growing population of older Jehovah’s Witnesses in need of help, [duh!] paralleling a general demographic trend of larger percentages of those over 75 years old. While we know that the primary responsibility to care for older ones lies first with their families and second with the congregation, there are times when these arrangements do not suffice.
  
  Many faithful servants of Jehovah are unable to find a satisfactory care facility where their religious beliefs will be respected and supported. This is where Jah-Jireh homes can help.
  
  Jah-Jireh Homes of America, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, has been formed so that care facilities can now be established in the United States. A volunteer board of directors oversees all of the activities of Jah-Jireh Homes of America. All board members are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
  
  For more information about Jah-Jireh Charity Homes of Great Britain, please view this video.
• 

  EndofMysteries

  Yea you're right, I just looked up the company and it's in the UK but they are expanding to the USA. http://jjha.org/ they are charging $3,000 to $4,000 per month.

  Obviously no real JW, especially pioneer/CO/etc will be able to afford that on their $1,000 a month SS check.
• 

  emeth

  In the Netherlands there are also facilities like this. Its just for regular JW's , everyone can apply
• 

  emeth

  @EndofMysteries here in the Netherlands it costs about €1000 a month
• 

  4thgen

  So, cliques continue even with the JW elderly.

  Those who cannot afford it because they gave all their finances, time and effort are left to scrounge or take public assistance.

  Oh I feel the love!

  Well, they better continue their building program, because they have a niche market that will only continue to grow!

  A continuing stream of overlapping generations!
• 

  sir82

  This is interesting.

  Here is the website for "Jah-Jireh homes of America": http://jjha.org/

  And here is their board of directors (from that website):

  DALE BAKER, Grand Rapids, MI
  IN-SOO CHO, Pittsburgh, PA
  DARBIN T. SKEANS, (Chairman) Allentown, PA
  TODD STEIN, Bellefonte, PA
  CHRIS WEINING, Buckingham, PA

  Anyone know any of these guys?

  Isn't Dale Baker the guy who owned "Circuit Leasing", and whose daughter married the son of deceased GB member Schroeder?

  And here is what residents can look forward to:

  SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT

  Most important of all is the support that is provided to ensure each resident has a robust spiritual environment. The “small house” model reflects the leading edge design and organizational structure that allows the fully staffed care partners to be completely engaged with the operation of the house as well as the lives of the residents. This model of care creates an intentional community that honors autonomy and privacy, as well as provide opportunities for developing close personal relationships between residents, their families, and staff. A spiritually qualified brother will take the lead in coordinating spiritual activities including daily text consideration, weekly Family Worship night, mid-week field service arrangements, and transportation to all meetings and assemblies.

  Want to work for them?

  Currently, Jah-Jireh Homes of America is looking for ministers of Jehovah’s Witnesses that are qualified RNs, LPNs and CNAs. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please contact us.
  
  Aside from our trained staff, there are plenty of opportunities for brothers and sisters to volunteer their time and resources. Those that wish to volunteer their time to work with the residents must be dedicated, baptized Witnesses of Jehovah, who are in good standing in the congregation, and who have a sincere concern for elderly faithful ones.

  But be prepared to cough up some serious do-re-mi if you want to live there:

  How much does it cost to live at Legacy Place Cottages?
  Pricing is being finalized, but single occupancy rates will start at $3,000 per month for senior living; $4,000 for memory care. Double occupancy rates will be lower.
  
  Does Medicare or Medicaid cover my costs?
  Unfortunately, at this time, Medicaid in the state of Pennsylvania does not apply to assisted living. Efforts are being made to consider expanding coverage beyond skilled nursing facilities. However, at present there is no known timeframe for such a provision.

  $3-4000 a month? You can forget about COs & DOs being sent there. The Society wouldn't pay a tenth of that to help someone who has outlived their usefulness to them.
• 

  sir82

  While we know that the primary responsibility to care for older ones lies first with their families and second with the congregation, there are times when these arrangements do not suffice.

  Gotta love this.

  In other words, this place is for people who were stupid enough to accept the counsel about "responsible child-bearing in this time of the end" and not have kids, but not so stupid as to not save up a few million for their retirement.

  And I really love the part about "second with the congregation" - LOL! How many "congregations" have a program in place to care for physical needs of the elderly? I'm sorry, it sounded like you said "none" - is that right?
• 

  punkofnice

  From my knowledge of these pro JW homes, I have observed the following: Understaffing. Low pay for the workers. Workers afraid to have their say as the whole 'we're JWs' schtick is used against them. The Jehovah(TM) card is used to intimidate the workers and inmates alike. These schemes go from owner to owner due to financial difficulty. ...and of course as this is a business venture the elders keep out of disputes.