Insights

UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, Brio Living Services, and AARP Offer Presentation at the Annual Council of Michigan Foundations ConferenceThe Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) annual conference was held in Grand Rapids on October 12-14 and, this year, UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation was selected as one of the presenters. The Foundation’s President & CEO, Kelli Smith, CFRE, was…

Avenues by Brio Living Services: Focus on the Whole Person As Porter Hills’ Vice President of Finance from 2012 to 2014, Sue Stoddard was familiar with Paige Hendrickson, Executive Director for Avenues by Brio Living Services. “Paige and I had offices near each other,” explains Sue. “I was impressed with the rapport Paige had with…

Angela Edward Honored as Jackson Magazine’s Health Care AngelThome PACE social worker Angela Edward (now Lovejoy) was honored last month as one of Jackson Magazine’s 2026 Health Care Angels. Angela was one of 17 honorees, chosen from more than 80 applicants from across Jackson County. Patients, family members, colleagues, and community members nominated these health…

Foundation Launches Signature Luncheon SeriesThe UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation introduced its Signature Luncheon Series with Living Well: A Conversation on Health & Aging on September 24, hosted at the Cascade Hills Country Club.Dr. Bill Baer, President & Chief Medical Officer of Exponential Health in Grand Rapids, shared his insights surrounding preventive health, personalized care, and practical…

What Are the Odds of Needing Long-Term Care?When we think about retirement and the years ahead, most of us hope to stay healthy, active, and independent for as long as possible. And while none of us can predict exactly what the future will bring, planning for the possibility of needing additional support can help you…

Brio Living Services Names Julie Korson as New Chief Financial OfficerBrio Living Services announces that, following an extensive search, Julie Korson has been promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer for the organization, effective September 1, 2026. Korson has worked for the organization for nearly twenty years. She replaces Kalen Carlson, Brio’s CFO since…

Ray and Kay Kretzschmer: 71 Years of Happy MarriagePorter Hills Village residents Ray and Kay Kretzschmer recently celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. What’s their secret to a happy marriage? “I don’t know,” says Ray, laughing. “Patience, love. Open communication makes a big difference.”The couple married while Ray was studying to be a minister. He served…

Scholarship Spotlight: Zoie LangstonZoie Langston is able to balance work and school to achieve her dream of being a therapist, thanks, in part, to a Scholarship from the UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation. On the weekends, she is the unit clerk at Chelsea Retirement Community’s Kresge Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, where she has worked for the past…

Formal Rededication Event Marks Opening of Chelsea Retirement Community Chapel & Performing Arts CenterBrio Living Services and UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation celebrated the opening of Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC)’s newly renovated and expanded Chapel & Performing Arts Center at a formal rededication ceremony in this new space on August 26, 2026.Nearly 150 guests were on hand,…

Volunteers Across Brio Living Services Build Lasting ConnectionsAugust is National Wellness Month, and volunteering is a great way to promote health and wellness for yourself and others. According to research at the Mayo Clinic, volunteering, especially for those of us 60 and older, improves our physical and mental health, helps us stay engaged in our…

Protect Yourself from Fraud and ScamsAs technology continues to advance, scammers are finding new ways to target individuals, making fraud more common and increasingly difficult to identify. Adults aged 60 and older are cited by the FBI and the National Cybersecurity Alliance as the group most frequently targeted and suffering the greatest financial losses due…

Avenues by Brio Living Services Expands to West Michigan LakeshoreBrio Living Services announces that its Avenues program is heading to the Lakeshore! Effective September 2026, Avenues by Brio Living Services is bringing its unique services to Holland, Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and other lakeshore area communities.The only program of its kind in West Michigan and…