Faith Lutheran Receives Group Volunteer of Year Award

The Health Care Association of New Jersey has awarded a team from Faith Lutheran Church in New Providence its Group Volunteer of Year Award for the team’s work at Broadway House for Continuing Care in Newark. The award was given at the Annual Convention of the Health Care Association of New Jersey, which took place at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. The team is led by Pastor Jane McCready.
Broadway House is New Jersey’s only specialized care facility for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It is the residence of approximately seventy-five persons, about half of whom are men and half women. Most are between the ages of 35 and 45. Many are in wheel chairs. The programs of Broadway House include nursing, social services and recreational programs.
Since 2005, the team from Faith Lutheran has been visit ing Br oadway House twi ce a mon th, providing recreational programs, which include arts and crafts, bingo and painting. One-on-one help is welcomed by perso ns particularly disabled. Members of the team convers e with residents who are bed-ridden in their rooms. The Knit, Purl and Pray Group from Faith has knitted lap bla nkets, w hic h are va lue d by persons in wheel c hai rs. Members of Fa ith have donated new and used clothes to the residents.
At Christmas and Memorial Day, members of Faith and residents of Broadway House enjoy sing-alongs together.
Nestor Beard, Director of Activities and Interns/Volunteers at Broadway House says, “The residents are always ready to welcome the warm embraces of ‘Pastor Jane and Her Friends,’ who encourage, motivate, support and most of all love and appreciate the residents.” Broadway House gave the team its name.

(above l-r) Rev. Murdoch MacPherson, Nancy Coleman, Karin Miller, Doris Johnson, Larry Holt, Rev. Jane McCready, Carol MacPherson, Carol Suiter, Wendy Naratil, all of Faith Lutheran; James Gonzalez, President and CEO of Broadway House.