When Steve and Marion Jacobsen joined Albright Care Services by moving to RiverWoods Senior Living Community last year, they made the decision based on comfort and having confidence in plans for the future. The Jacobsens chose RiverWoods because they were attracted to its many conveniences and knew they would not have to worry about property maintenance, including mowing grass and shoveling snow. Albright provides a home for the Jacobsens that allows them to keep fulfilling their own mission in giving back to their community.
Steve taught science at Lewisburg Area High School for 24 years, and found it rewarding to inspire youth to discover, learn and grow in the classroom environment. His mission to help others continued after he retired from teaching and became the business manager of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. His work provided him with the opportunity to educate others about peace and social justice issues, which he still pursues as a member of the National Council of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Marion had served as a laboratory technologist and supervisor in the laboratory at Evangelical Community Hospital, where she played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Her career was dedicated to helping to improve others’ health.
Steve applied his experience and passion for social justice by helping to develop the Central Susquehanna Valley Mediation Center, Inc., where he continues to work as a volunteer today. The center offers the services of trained and experienced mediators to help people who are in conflict learn more effective ways to communicate. “Mediation is a way to help people in conflict to have constructive conversations. We equip them with the tools they need to listen better and be better understood by the other person,” Steve said. “I enjoy volunteering because I like to help people learn and take responsibility for discovering their own agency and move beyond the things that are blocking their capabilities.” Marion also continues to help others, as a trained Susquehanna Valley CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer. She assists the courts in determining what is in the best interest of abused or neglected children who are in the care of Children and Youth Services, and aids in seeking a safe, permanent and nurturing home.
“Moving to RiverWoods has freed up time for us to be able to concentrate on one of the things we love to do—volunteer,” said Marion. RiverWoods has provided the environment the couple needs to continue thriving, just as they have provided a safer and healthier community through their volunteer work. The Jacobsens are shining examples of being called to serve, and we are proud that they are part of our Albright family.
Albright, celebrating 100 years of providing service in the Susquehanna Valley, invites you to continue your mission by joining us at one of our six locations. Visit www.albrightcare.org for information on senior living, day programs, volunteering or giving.
