The Christian Village recognizes Lifetime Achievements

[August 25, 2015]  As part of its 50th anniversary this year, The Christian Village has presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to individuals who played an important role in its history.

Founding Board Member Carl Joliff, Volunteer Alice Davis, Steering Committee Members Earl Allen and Dorothy Streight and Employee Pam Hill have been recognized for their commitment to the senior living community.

Venetta and Carl Joliff with Jo Hilliard

In the early 1960’s, Joliff was one of the early church leaders to catch the vision of providing care for older adults who couldn’t care for themselves. He recruited other dedicated individuals, raised funds and traveled throughout central Illinois to spread the word about the new Christian ministry. He also served as chairman of the new organization.

Today Joliff lives at Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth, one of the 13 senior living communities of Christian Homes, Inc., the organization that grew out of the original Christian Nursing Home in Lincoln.

Alice Davis

Davis was a faithful volunteer at The Christian Village most of her adult life. She was a member of the first Christian Nursing Home Auxiliary Board and served on the home’s steering committee. She also was a Key Lady with Mt. Pulaski Christian Church.

Earl Allen, Jo Hilliard, and Dorothy Streight

Allen and Streight have served on the steering committee for The Christian Village for several decades. In that role, they’ve faithfully provided vision and wisdom to the organization. They’ve also been a liaison with the public, and a representative to supporting churches.

Chaplian Ryan Edgecombe and Pam Hill

Hill was recognized for providing 38 years of dedicated care to hundreds of residents and for serving as director of the George Gahr Memory Care Unit since it opened in 2000. Over the years Hill has accumulated a wealth of gratitude and love from both residents and their families.

The Christian Village is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with the theme of “Honoring God with a Faithful Past and a Thriving Future.”

The Christian Village currently offers Rehab-to-Home, long-term skilled nursing care, respite care and hospice care. Garden homes and apartments also are available for independent older adults.

The ministry has begun an expansion project which will add an assisted-living Garden Villa for memory care residents and a special wing for Rehab-to-Home guests.

[Jan Schumacher, Christian Village]