Celebrating Dignity and Compassion: Miriam Baer’s Story

At Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community (VMRC), we are dedicated to treating aging adults with dignity and compassion. This philosophy is found in all we do and is demonstrated in our Compassion Care program. Annually, thanks to the remarkable generosity of our donors to the VMRC Foundation, we can extend Compassion Care to 20-30 residents who, through no fault of their own, have exhausted their financial resources.

Miriam Baer has lived at VMRC since 1997 and has recently benefited from Compassion Care. Now a resident in nursing care at Woodland Park, Miriam’s nephew, Jonathan Shenk, appreciates the way VMRC staff care for his aunt by providing a homelike, supportive environment. “It feels completely different than any other nursing home I’ve been in, and it feels good.” Compassion Care is part of the soul of VMRC. From our founding 70 years ago until today, our community has continually prioritized caring for those in our community who no longer have financial resources to support their care.

Today, our Compassion Care needs are growing. Each Compassion Care resident needs $66,000 a year to make up the difference between what Medicaid pays and the true cost of care. For us, Compassion Care is not a burden, but a mission. Will you join us on April 17, 2024 for the Great Community Give and support VMRC’s Compassion Care Fund? In honor of our 70th anniversary, our goals on April 17 are to acquire 70 first-time donors and to raise $13,000 which covers 70 days of Compassion Care for one resident.