Contributed by Candyce Sylling: Josephine Caring Community was begun in 1907 with a gift of $10,000 and 10 acres of land to the Lutheran Church from Stanwood resident John Hals. This gift was given in memory of John’s wife, Josephine, who died from complications of childbirth, to build a home for old people so that everyone would have a place to live. The Old People’s Home was completed in 1908 and 26 seniors took up residence. This mission lives on in Josephine’s Vision which is “to be the community of choice where no one is left uncared for.”

Now known as Josephine Caring Community, JCC is a $20 million separately incorporated nonprofit social ministry organization affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The majority of Josephine’s partner churches must be Lutheran. Each church selects Delegates who connect their congregations to Josephine. It is the Delegates’ responsibility to elect the Board of Directors each year. The Board of Directors is responsible for policy and procedures of Josephine Caring Community. The majority of the Board must be members of Lutheran congregations. The CEO is responsible for operations.

Throughout the years, as the need for diversity of care became important, Josephine added more services. Josephine Caring Community now includes childcare, a Montessori program and an Early Childhood Advancement Program available to underprivileged pre-kindergartners. Josephine offers Rehabilitation for people leaving the hospital, Assisted Living in the Suites, and Skilled Nursing including Memory Care. Home Care services are available for those wishing to remain at home, with Home Health slated to become available by the end of this year. These programs embody the Mission of Josephine which is to be a “caregiving community for all generations.”

Plans are underway for the development of an independent living campus at Smokey Point and the expansion of the Stanwood campus to include independent living and additional Memory Care units at the Assisted Living level. A “Life Plan” will be offered, where the continuum of care will be provided from Independent Living through Skilled Nursing. A refundable entrance fee will be paid upon admission to Independent Living and the monthly care fees will not change, should the need arise for Assisted Living or Skilled Nursing care.

Reverend Eileen Burdick is the Spiritual Care Director of Josephine. Volunteers from partner congregations are welcome to assist in a variety of areas such as serving as a trained volunteer chaplain, or as a volunteer beautician, or interviewing residents and writing their stories. Contributing to the Christmas tag project and providing live Christmas trees are greatly appreciated as well. Prayers for residents, their families, and staff are gratefully appreciated, especially during this very challenging time.

The Spiritual Care Department now focuses on spiritual care for all residents, families, and staff. The Board of Directors, through the Congregational Relations Committee, provides communication with the delegates and pastors of the covenant (partner) congregations. This includes informational quarterly meetings with delegates and pastors and the Annual Meeting where Board of Directors’ candidates are elected.

Members of the Board of Directors’ Speakers Bureau are ready to share Josephine’s story with our partner congregations in a short message during a Sunday service.

Should your congregation be interested in hearing more about Josephine from our speakers, please contact Candyce Sylling (Member, Board of Directors Josephine Caring Community and Chair of the Congregational Relations Committee) at:

candycesylling@gmail.com 360-387-7512