Saint Francis — Manchester continues legacy of love, attention
Saint Francis Home – “the place where love never grows old” – is turning 50 in 2023, and the Richmond assisted living community is marking the occasion by rebranding and hosting several events throughout the coming months. Saint Francis — Manchester will continue to provide assisted living care under its new name and logo, which were revealed on Thursday, Sept. 22, at Legend Brewery in Richmond.
The logo resembles a stained glass window with a cross formed in the space between the window panes to reflect Saint Francis’ connection to faith. The multi-colored stained glass symbolizes the diversity of the residents and staff, while the bird honors St. Francis, who is known for his love of animals.
The community functions under a model that subsidizes a portion of the cost of care for some residents, according to the organization’s website. More than 90% of its residents do not pay the full monthly cost of living there due to limited or no financial means. As a result, Saint Francis relies on donations and grants to help fill the gap.
Residents are offered an array of activities, including arts and crafts, Zumba, gardening, live music, book clubs, and outings to local museums, parks and Richmond events. Dedicated licensed staff members assist residents with their daily needs, from nurturing their bodies with food and medicine to nurturing their souls with prayer and friendship.
Residents also have access to physical, occupational and speech therapy. Mass is celebrated weekly in the chapel.
Bruce Slough, executive director of Saint Francis — Manchester, said an “infusion of people and capital” to the Manchester area has “fundamentally changed the complexion of Richmond for the present and foreseeable future.”
“In addition, we decided it was time to move beyond the institutional label ‘home’ because we are an assisted living community committed to high quality care,” he noted. “More than just a place to live, Saint Francis — Manchester is a place of meaningful connections and community.”
Slough said that Bishop Walter F. Sullivan specifically chose to locate Saint Francis in an underserved community.
“All resident care is based on the fundamental Catholic belief that human life is sacred, and every person is precious. We foster, in the Franciscan tradition, a sense of community where we are all brothers and sisters − a family. As a faith-based nonprofit, we base our assisted living care, programming and decisions on these beliefs and values versus focusing on profit making.”
‘Feels like home’
Deacon Chris Malone, who serves as Saint Francis’ board president, believes the community is the perfect example of love and faith in action.
“Day by day, I give thanks for the good work being done by all who support Saint Francis,” he said. “I am inspired by the joy, faith and kindness of the staff and volunteers who work together in amazing ways to support our residents. I am humbled by the many in our community who faithfully contribute their time, talent and financial support in aid of our shared mission. I am in awe of the dignity, resilience, perseverance, good humor and patience of the residents of Saint Francis who daily create a community of love for and acceptance of one another. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to grow in faith through my encounters with the Saint Francis Home community.”
Dawn Bishop is a member of Saint Francis — Manchester’s board, but before that, her mother was a resident. Her mom, who suffered from dementia for a decade before she passed, had been spending $5,000 a month at other facilities. After three years, her money was running out, and Bishop knew she had to find a new home for her mother.
“I don’t know what I would have done without Saint Francis. I thank God constantly for his goodness in sending us Saint Francis Home,” she said. “I had the opportunity to see other assisted living facilities; she was in two prior to Saint Francis. Neither of those came close to providing the love and attention she received at Saint Francis.”
That love and attention, along with compassion, support and the sense of family Slough referenced, are felt by current residents and staff.
Donald Durrette worked for Saint Francis for a decade. He lived the mission firsthand and carried it with him as he returned to visit residents. In 2021, he became a resident and said he truly feels like he’s home.
“I see that everyone who lives here all have crosses to bear. This place lifts up spirits!” he said.
Resident Holly Owen agreed.
“I had been working and had a period of illness where I was not able to take care of myself and take my medications right,” she said. “When I came here, I quickly felt like I was where I needed to be.”
Strong community
Christy Heinen became the community’s development director in 2020 after serving in the same role at St. Joseph’s Home, run by the Little Sisters of the Poor until their departure from the Diocese of Richmond, for 18 years.
“I feel so blessed that I was able to come to Saint Francis and continue supporting the care of the elderly who have limited financial means,” she said. “I really think that throughout its history, Saint Francis has been living in the shadow of the Little Sisters, and now people are finally discovering it for the first time and are absolutely amazed that it has been here for nearly 50 years.”
The community’s strength has helped it get over many obstacles, most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. Slough explained that it was challenging to keep residents healthy and happy during quarantine. Staff was stretched thin, and Saint Francis was forced to halt new resident admissions.
Saint Francis has long partnered with FeedMore to help provide residents with nutritious meals, but because of supply chain issues, food donations ceased for four months, and expenditures soared. Saint Francis also had to cancel its annual Blue Grass and Blue Crab Festival, one of its main fundraisers.
Despite these challenges, Saint Francis continued to care for its residents with the same level of love and attention.
“That is why Saint Francis — Manchester is more than a place to live. It is a place of meaningful connections, faith in action and a hallmark of Richmond. It is a community worthy of your prayer and support,” said Slough.
Editor’s note: To learn more about Saint Francis — Manchester, visit saintfrancisrva.org.