By Steve Dickie, CEO

A look back at 2022, there is much to be thankful for and a lot that happened at Trinity Woods. It is truly amazing that last year we welcomed 69 new people to the Trinity Woods neighborhood!

In addition to serving new people there were several milestone accomplishments:
• Crestwood celebrated its 10th Anniversary: Everyone enjoyed and reflected on how Crestwood contributed to the transformation of campus.
• Three New Villas: The construction of these homes enhanced Sandusky Ave.
• Owens Park Opened: The area with its beautiful landscaping, stunning water feature, and lighted walking path is a wonderful addition to campus. The finishing touch will be the installation of the outdoor exercise area early next year.
• Putting Green Refurbished: The putting green has attracted experienced golfers and others who just like to “putt around”! The indoor golf simulator is scheduled to be installed early next year, so you can hit the links all year long.
• Reopening Mabee Point: We celebrated the reopening of this area of the Health Center, which promotes the expansion and improvement of short-stay rehab.

My Dad used to say, “Progress is our most important product.” Trinity Woods will make great progress in 2023 as we continue to reinvest in the community. Plans are in place for major projects like replacing the roofs on the Patio Homes and Lakeside Homes, carpet replacement in the Crestwood common spaces, and road repairs. The furniture is to be replaced in the Charter Oak Restaurant, the Crestwood game room, and the Members Club room. We also celebrate the way that philanthropy benefits the Trinity Woods community: we received donations to honor our employees, aid with benevolent care, and grants to invest in tomorrow’s healthcare professionals.

So, as I say goodbye to the past I rejoice in the many new opportunities that will be provided to Trinity Woods in 2023.

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

“Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking before the Ebenezer Baptist Church in 1968

Every third Monday in January is a national holiday to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK Jr. Day). Dr. King is best known for his leadership during the American civil rights movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s (a wave of activism contesting racial segregation, discrimination, disenfranchisement, and injustice). From 1955 to 1968, Dr. King led several efforts to eliminate Jim Crow laws and other forms of systemic racism that hindered the mobility of people of color in the U.S. From sit-ins to marches, Dr. King championed demonstrations that combined nonviolence with direct action.

“NOTHING IN ALL THE WORLD IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SINCERE IGNORANCE AND CONSCIENTIOUS STUPIDITY.” Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963, Strength to Love)

Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech from the 1963 March on Washington is one of his most celebrated. In it, Dr. King envisioned a world with equal justice for all people under the law. He went on to earn a Nobel Peace Prize and see the passing of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Towards the end of his life, Dr. King’s advocacy emphasized the importance of economic justice in the fight for equality and racial liberation. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, where he was supporting Memphis sanitation workers in their strike for union recognition, better safety standards, and livable wages.

MLK Day matters because it recognizes Dr. King’s legacy of service while inspiring us to serve in our own ways. According to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), MLK Jr. Day is a federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, and Americans are encouraged to spend this day volunteering to improve their communities.

Many things Dr. King advocated for during his lifetime (racial justice, economic equality, affordable housing, labor rights, etc.) are issues we continue to grapple with in 2023. The fight for justice is ongoing and we can use this day to reflect on the work Dr. King started and take responsibility for the work we still have left to do.

National Day of Service

Trinity Woods invites residents and employees to participate in a food drive for Restore Hope. There will be boxes set-up in the Community Life Center Ehlers Entrance and the Spann Wellness Center seating area to collect donations. Please make sure to drop off your nonperishable food items between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on January 16. Please see the Wellness supplement for specific types of items that are needed.

Trinity Woods is proud to announce Jerome Steele as the new CFO and Vice President of Finance. Jerome has been serving as Director of Finance. Prior to joining the staff of Trinity Woods Jerome was the Vice President of Finance and CFO of Bacone College in Muskogee, where he oversaw the business office and led strategic planning and implementation of financial policies and procedures. He comes to the position with a wealth of knowledge in business consulting and developing corporate business plans and marketing strategies for his clients.

Steve Dickie, CEO at Trinity Woods, states, “Jerome has over 30 years of experience in management, finance, marketing, and manufacturing. He is a welcome addition to our leadership team.”

Jerome earned his bachelor’s degree and his master’s in business administration from Oral Roberts University. He is married to Yourlunda and has four children Olivia, Michala, Montavion and Alayah. The Steeles are founders of Amazing Grace Christian Center in Tulsa. Jerome has volunteered with Youth at Heart, a not-for-profit organization that helps teenage boys and girls develop life skills. His hobbies include reading and golfing.

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the financial oversight of Trinity Woods as CFO and VP of Finance,” said Jerome. “The company’s mission of serving the Trinity Woods family in the spirit of Christ is what inspires me to promote continued financial accountability and integrity as we care for our community members.”