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President- Jane Chagnon
Hello Everyone!
My name is Jane Chagnon and I've been working with Elders for over 30 years. I've served both on the MAPA board and MNSWAP board in the past and am excited for the opportunity to serve as your President. I've worked the gamut of Long Term Care, Memory Care, Assisted Living and Independent Living. I love being able to be a part of residents' lives and to know that I can make a difference in their quality of life. It has been my privilege to work in this profession and to serve residents who have already given of themselves to their families and respective communities. Pay it forward!
Please feel free to contact anyone on the board with your questions or suggestions.
Jane Chagnon, ADC
Johanna Shores
Vice President- Nancy Schwartz
Hello Everyone!
My husband Kory and I live in Andover and are currently empty nesters to our 2 sons Jake (21) and Erik (19). We have many family traditions and love to spend time especially during holidays. Our newest adventure is family motorcycling and call ourselves the "Schwartz Gang!" My golden retriever is Clara, she is an avid hunter and beloved family member. I am a huge MN Vikings fan and attend all the home games. I love camping, movies and time with family and friends. Oh, and I love to play bar bingo! I have worked in activities roles, serving seniors, since 1994. I am currently serving as the Life Enrichment Services Director for Presbyterian Homes & Services. My favorite activities to lead are drumming and laughter yoga. I serve dually as our MAPA Vice President and as the region 6 (MAPA) representative for our bigger organization MNSWAP (MN Statewide Activity Professionals). Be sure to come say "HI!" at our next MAPA get together!
Nancy Schwartz, CTRS, CDP
2845 Hamline Ave North
Roseville, MN 55113 612-655-0579
Education- Melissa Zentz
Hello Everyone!
I have been working with elders for the past 5 years and have been a member of MAPA since 2014. I am excited to bring my passion for education and elders to the MAPA board, and in early 2019 I completed my NCCAP certification to be an Activity Director. Currently, I am the Activity Director with Ebenezer at Orchards of Minnetonka, and love every moment of it. I work with Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care.
Prior to working with elders I was a stage manager in the Theater industry. I worked all over the Twin Cities and did a couple of regional and national tours before deciding I wanted to spend more time at home with my family and to have a work/life balance. Once I started working with elders I never looked back. I get to use all of my theater and event skills and know exactly where I am making a difference in the world.
In my free time, I am an avid knitter and yarn spinner; if I'm wearing a sweater, more than likely I've knitted it. I also love to spend time outdoors in the warmer months and am trying to learn to love the winter.. maybe this will be the year I succeed.
Melissa Zentz, ADC
Orchards of Minnetonka
10955 Wayzata Blvd
Minnetonka, MN. 55305
952-525-7205
Molson35@fairview.org
Secretary- Jess Demeules
Hello!
I am looking forward to serving on the board as your secretary. It is always a joy being around like-minded passionate people that care for the elderly. Growing up, my favorite after school program was volunteering at Sunrise Senior Living. I remember participating in activities with the residents and listening to their stories. I truly felt like the luckiest kid, to be there and absorb their insight about life. After that every summer I volunteered at Colonial View Apartments serving wherever I could.
After graduating from Concordia College in Moorhead, I was trying to figure what career path would best fit my strengths and passions. I have been the volunteer coordinator at YMCA Cass Clay, HR assistant at Sleep Number, and received my yoga teacher certification in Costa Rica. After conversations with my mom she reminded me of my love for the elderly community and encouraged me to return to the field professionally!
Starting my career at Meadow Ridge Senior Living as an Activities Director was a joy but I wanted to return to working at a non-profit and found my home and senior tribe at Episcopal Church Homes as the Life Enhancement Director. In my free time I enjoy organizing/house projects, practicing yoga, cooking, planning themed parties and spending time with the love my life, Andy.
Looking forward to connecting and collecting more ideas on how to support the amazing seniors that we serve.
Jess Demeules
Episcopal Church Home
1879 Feronia Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651-632-8816 ext 116
JDemeules@episcopalhomes.org
Treasurer - Jennifer Lachermeier
Greetings everyone!
I joined MAPA in 2015 and became Treasurer in 2016 at the suggestion of our speaker that day, Julie Reginek, who later became my college instructor. I graduated December 2017 with an Activity Director degree from Ridgewater college and most recently became NCCAP certified. I have worked for LMA for 8 years, where I started in housekeeping. One day, in 2012, our campus administrator asked me if I would like to try activities and I never looked back! I worked in the Long Term Care Unit for 2 years and for the past 4 years I have been working closely with the Assisted Living and Memory Care units. Prior to LMS I worked with Adults with Developmental Disabilities for over 10 years. I live in the very small down of Winsted, MN with my husband Philip, son Benjamin and fur babies, Max and Ruby. We also have a daughter Taylor, who happens to be a Teacher in the Koala Bear Daycare at LMS so I get to see her daily. I love spending my free time reading, playing card games and riding motorcycle with family and friends. I love learning everything I can about our "greatest generation" and am so thankful for MAPA and the education it provides. I look forward to meeting you!
Jennifer Lachermeier
Life Enrichment Coordinator
Lake Minnetonka Shores
4559 Shoreline Dr.
Spring Park, MN. 55384
952-471-3951
Hospitality- Cindy Vega
Previous to this field I was the Public Relations Chair for my student group at the U of M, and the Outreach Chair for our Midwest Umbrella Organization so you could say I love working with people. I also went to school at Anoka Tech for Medical Assisting and after six months of working in a clinic, I decided my heart was with my residents and returned to them at Iris Park.
At home I have two wild sons, Leo(3) and Noah(1), with my husband Juan. They keep us very busy but it really is a joy to have them in our lives. In the summer we like to get our family together for a cookout at the lake, in our winters we enjoy going to Pho Hoa after Mass for a great bowl of soup. I like to think I'm the pinterest Mom and try to get my kids to craft but they hate crafts- so I'm glad my residents enjoy our pinterest projects.
I would love to exchange ideas and get connected with you, so please feel free to reach out.
Communications Chair - Theresa Perkins
Thank you for the warm welcome everyone!
Membership- Karren McRae
Hi Everyone!
I always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, and that's what I went to college for. While in school, I became a stay at home mom. Going to the "gym" was part of my daily life. So, I became a Group Fitness instructor and soon found myself back in school working on a degree in Health and Exercise Science. I became a Fitness Coordinator and then a Director for the YMCA. While there, I was on the committee for Active Older Adults for the YMCA of the Twin Cities. I fell in love with older adults, they had the best stories about life! Two knee injuries sent me in a new career
direction.
I started as a Life Enrichment Coordinator for VOA- The Homestead at Maplewood. With zero experience, I was the only activity person for the building-covering both AL and MC. Many of the skills I learned while working on my Elementary Ed. Degree applied to working with seniors. Since then, I've opened two Senior Living buildings and at the end of 2015 I made a change to be a part of the Green House Model of Care at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota- The Gardens in Saint Paul. Long Term Care is very different than Senior Living! I miss my active seniors, but I love the 1:1 time that I have now!
In my "free time", we keep a boat slipped in a marina in Red Wing, MN and we spend all summer out on the Mississippi River. In the winter, if I'm not hibernating behind my iPad or watching Netflix we are snowmobiling. I have been a member of MAPA since 2015 and have served on the board since 2019.
Karren McRae
Episcopal Homes of MN-The Gardens
1860 University Ave. W
Saint Paul, MN. 55104
Office: 651-272-4956