{"id":1643,"date":"2025-09-05T13:06:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T17:06:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/concordia3.wpenginepowered.com\/concordia-at-rebecca-residence\/the-journey-here-amy-sept-2025-2\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T14:24:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T18:24:44","slug":"the-journey-here-amy-sept-2025-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/blog\/the-journey-here-amy-sept-2025-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The Journey Here: Amy (Sept. 2025)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Concordia Lutheran Ministries, we are blessed with a dedicated team of compassionate employees who help us carry out our mission of caring every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through our series of employee testimonials, \u201cThe Journey Here,\u201d we\u2019ll introduce you to team members, profiling their Concordia journey. The piece will be supplemented with a Q&amp;A featured in our Faith in Caring magazine, offering further perspective on how our employees work as the hands and hearts of our mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019re excited for you to meet <a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/locations\/concordia-at-sumner\/\">Concordia at Sumner<\/a> Director of Activities Amy Malone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-channeling\"><strong>Channeling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fidgeting hands. Racing thoughts. Amy likes to stay busy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Attention-Deficit\/Hyperactivity Disorder<\/a> (ADHD) which makes concentration difficult due to racing, evanescent thoughts. She uses her uniqueness to her advantage, speeding up when others might slow down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy mind works very quickly, and I cope in different ways.\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy channels her energy into every themed party, exercise class or a day out on the town. Through sheer excitement, she re-energizes the residents with a variety of fun and engaging activities they look forward to each and every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-shifting\"><strong>Shifting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 2007 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mercyhurst.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mercyhurst College<\/a> graduate, Amy worked in the dining room of an assisted living facility throughout high school and college. During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalreservehistory.org\/essays\/great-recession-and-its-aftermath\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Recession<\/a>, Amy\u2019s job search toiled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unable to find work in communications or public relations, she moved forward with what she had on hand. She had already grown fond of the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI always enjoyed being around the elderly,\u201d she said. \u201cI felt at ease with them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-5-copy.jpeg\" alt=\"Amy Malone and a colleague pose with a resident.\" class=\"wp-image-2334\" srcset=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-5-copy.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-5-copy-600x600.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-5-copy-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-5-copy-768x768.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Amy and a colleague pose with a resident.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Amy\u2019s fondness for the residents grew, she explored career possibilities in senior care. This led her to the activities department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI didn\u2019t find it,\u201d Amy said. \u201cThis job found me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Across a handful of years, she bounced between facilities. Before Concordia, Amy felt deeply connected to one senior care community where she worked for 5 \u00bd years. Then her husband found a new job, and the family moved. Amy had a tough time saying goodbye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI thought to myself, I\u2019ll never stay at any place as long as I stayed there,\u201d Amy said. \u201cThen I came to Concordia and proved myself wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-adapting\"><strong>Adapting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy found familiarity in her new environment through her interactions with residents. While the faces may have changed, she found new friends who shared stories, laughed at her jokes and genuinely enjoyed her antics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The residents needed her, and for the first time in her career, Amy felt unrestrained to meet their needs and expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;\u201cI\u2019ve worked in other companies where they give me a strict budget,\u201d Amy said. \u201cThey don\u2019t do that here. Concordia gives me whatever I need for the residents. If it\u2019s for the residents, they\u2019ll make it happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-6-copy.jpeg\" alt=\"Amy Malone poses with her husband following a 5K.\" class=\"wp-image-2335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-6-copy.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-6-copy-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-6-copy-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Amy poses with her husband following a 5K.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy also folded in her own unique experience into the activities at Sumner. She holds certificates as a dementia practitioner and Balloflex dance instructor. Amy also enjoys running and exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;\u201cI like to stay active and fit, and I like to bring that to Concordia,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also credits her staff, who brings their own unique spin to the role too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019d be nothing without my staff,\u201d Amy said. \u201cWhen you have a supportive team, you can do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learning\"><strong>Learning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When Amy started with Concordia, she only managed activities for assisted living. Today, she manages them across the entire <a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/locations\/concordia-at-sumner\/\">Sumner<\/a> campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As Amy continued to grow into that role, she discovered greater importance in her work. She believes people looking into retirement living truly value a fun and diverse activities program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1298\" src=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-4-copy.jpeg\" alt=\"Amy Malone, a 2025 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award distinguished finalist, pictured with Concordia CEO Keith Frndak and Concordia Board of Directors Vice-Chairman Rande Cassaday.\" class=\"wp-image-2336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-4-copy.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-4-copy-600x507.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-4-copy-768x649.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Amy, a <a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/blog\/2025-stephen-w-johnson-mission-award-finalists-celebrated\/\">2025 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award<\/a> distinguished finalist, poses at the award ceremony with Concordia President and CEO Keith Frndak and Concordia Board of Directors Vice-Chairman Rande Cassaday.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI still don\u2019t think people understand how much activities matter, but activities are huge.\u201d she said. \u201cWhen I see families touring, I don\u2019t walk away. I walk up to them and introduce myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Amy has learned a lot about her role and how to expand her career\u2019s horizons, she\u2019s also learned a lot from the residents, particularly in the art of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey knew how to do things right. Not the quick way. The right way. I want to learn from them,\u201d Amy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-exceling\"><strong>Exceling<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Amy has continued growing, and she loves seeking new opportunities to expand her skill set. It\u2019s easy to grow in a comfortable place like Concordia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;\u201cI thought to myself, \u2018I can do more with this. I can build on this,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her growth at Concordia has been supported by her dedicated staff as well as her husband and two children at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-3.jpeg\" alt=\"Amy Malone with her husband and two children.\" class=\"wp-image-2337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-3.jpeg 960w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-3-480x600.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2026\/10\/Amy-Malone-3-768x960.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Amy with her husband and two children.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Her family\u2019s calendar is often full, but she cherishes every free moment she can unwind with those she loves the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rooting herself in her family and her career allows Amy the ability to seek new horizons. She\u2019s excited to see how far she can go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGetting involved in things I\u2019ve never done before is growth to me,\u201d she said. \u201cGrowing within my role and in my community is important too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She has found perspective in the small, fleeting moments, and her cup fills up with each smile and laugh from the residents. Every day, Amy chases her peace within the chaos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">View all open careers at ConcordiaCareers.org and connect with us on social to learn more about our employee culture! And, to learn more about Amy\u2019s perspective on her Concordia career, check out the September issue of Concordia\u2019s Faith in Caring magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Subscribe today by emailing <a href=\"m&#97;&#105;&#108;&#x74;&#x6f;&#x3a;gi&#118;&#105;&#x6e;&#x67;&#x40;&#x63;on&#99;&#111;&#x72;&#x64;&#x69;&#x61;l&#109;&#46;&#111;&#x72;&#x67;\">giv&#105;&#110;&#103;&#64;&#x63;&#x6f;&#x6e;&#x63;&#x6f;&#x72;&#x64;ial&#109;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-check-out-other-journeys-from-this-past-year\"><strong>Check Out Other Journeys from This Past Year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/blog\/the-journey-here-kathy-dec-2024\/\">The Journey Here: Kathy (Dec. 2024)<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/blog\/the-journey-here-korey-march-2025\/\">The Journey Here: Korey (March 2025)<\/a><br><a href=\"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/blog\/the-journey-here-christy-june-2025\/\">The Journey Here: Chirsty (June 2025)<br><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Concordia Lutheran Ministries, we are blessed with a dedicated team of compassionate employees who help us carry out our mission of caring every day. Through our series of employee testimonials, \u201cThe Journey Here,\u201d we\u2019ll introduce you to team members, profiling their Concordia journey. The piece will be supplemented with a Q&amp;A featured in our [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2338,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1643","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-location-services"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1643","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1643"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1643\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2339,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1643\/revisions\/2339"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2338"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1643"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1643"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/concordialm.org\/rebecca-residence\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1643"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}