Director of Housing Receives State Award

St. Paul - April Myers of Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids has been honored by Minnesota's largest association of aging services organizations.

Myers, the Director of Housing for Good Shepherd, was recognized with the Senior Housing Leadership Award at the Aging Services of Minnesota Institute in Minneapolis in February. The Institute is the state's premiere event for professionals in older adult services.

"April exemplifies the core values of an exceptional senior housing director," said Barb Rebischke, the Vice President of Outreach. "She is highly regarded by the tenants and her staff as a dedicated housing director who strives for excellence, quality and high standards with the understanding that the tenants always come first."  Rebischke said it is an honor to recognize an individual who leads by example with efficiency and effectiveness.

In the 11 years since Myers began serving as the Housing Director at Good Shepherd, she has assisted with or participated in the development of many programs that promote and enhance the lives of older adults. Myers assisted in obtaining a $537,000 HUD Assisted Living Conversion Grant that renovated a 58-unit building into a handicapped accessible living unit.  In addition, Myers was instrumental in obtaining a grant to provide an on-site falls prevention program for tenants known as Matter of Balance.

Aging services' 1,000 + members serve over 100,000 Minnesotans each year in settings across the continuum from their home to congregate housing to assisted living to care centers. Committed to excellence and to innovation, Aging Services is a leader in pioneering new service delivery models and is nationally recognized for expertise in Aging Services issues related to long term care, senior housing and supportive services.