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Wenona Breazeals
Administrator and Green House GuideThome Rivertown NeighborhoodWenona has worn many hats at PVM and brings over 15 years� experience supporting and serving seniors. She serves as the Campus Administrator at the Thome Rivertown campus, along with her roles as Green House Guide, Educator for the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Green House Homes, and Housing Administrator. Wenona regularly speaks with community groups, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and visitors, providing tours and sharing the vision, development, implementation, and outcomes of Thome Rivertown. Through these engagements, she communicates lessons learned and practical insights from one of the nation's most innovative integrated housing, healthcare, and supportive services models for older adults.
E16 – Thome Rivertown Neighborhood: Affordable Housing and a Support System That Works
As the senior living sector continues to expand, most new development remains financially out of reach for older adults with low incomes. At the same …As the senior living sector continues to expand, most new development remains financially out of reach for older adults with low incomes. At the same time, affordable housing, healthcare, and supportive services are fragmented across multiple agencie…As the senior living sector continues to expand, most new development remains financially out of reach for older adults with low incomes. At the same time, affordable housing, healthcare, and supportive services are fragmented across multiple agencies, creating barriers for older adults and family caregivers seeking coordinated care. The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood offers a compelling alternative. Opened in 2013 through a collaboration among Pre…As the senior living sector continues to expand, most new development remains financially out of reach for older adults with low incomes. At the same time, affordable housing, healthcare, and supportive services are fragmented across multiple agencies, creating barriers for older adults and family caregivers seeking coordinated care. The Thome Rivertown Neighborhood offers a compelling alternative. Opened in 2013 through a collaboration among Presbyterian Villages of Michigan, Brio Living Services, Henry Ford Health, philanthropic partners, and government agencies, Thome Rivertown integrates affordable housing, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), supportive services, and Green House homes on a single campus. Designed specifically for low-income older adults, the model combines HUD-supported housing, affordable assisted living, comprehensive healthcare, and long-term care services within a coordinated system that promotes aging in community while reducing reliance on hospitals and nursing homes. We will explore the history, financing, partnerships, governance structure, and operational strategies that made Thome Rivertown possible. Lessons learned from more than a decade of operation, outcomes for residents and healthcare systems, and the successful replication of this innovative model throughout Southeast Michigan will be explored. Attendees will gain practical insights for developing integrated housing and service solutions in their own communities.Show MoreClick the title to see all detailsShow More
Margaret CalkinsBoard Chair and Senior Researcher, IDEAS Institute
Wenona BreazealsAdministrator and Green House Guide, Thome Rivertown Neighborhood
Susan RyanChief Executive Officer, AgingIN
Brian CarnaghiFormer Senior Vice President of Finance and Development, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
Margaret CalkinsBoard Chair and Senior Researcher, IDEAS Institute
Wenona BreazealsAdministrator and Green House Guide, Thome Rivertown Neighborhood
Susan RyanChief Executive Officer, AgingIN
Brian CarnaghiFormer Senior Vice President of Finance and Development, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No