Stories

Volunteers Janet and David Young: Giving back to Homeland

September 7, 2023

How hands-on is Homeland’s Board of Managers? Janet Young puts it in four words. “We dust the Hummels.” As in the sizeable Hummel figurine collection donated to Homeland and displayed in hallways, meeting rooms, gathering spaces, and the chapel. Recently, Board of Managers members had a dusting party. “We were…

Homeland resident Mike Conte: A life steeped in Harrisburg history

August 31, 2023

Mike Conte came to Homeland in April. Since then, he has made friends — “lots of them.” “They’re really nice here,” he said. “I like the people. I like how the staff caters to you.” Mike and his wife, Betty, share a bright, corner-room personal care suite. His roots are…

Homeland Unveils Tribute Medallions at a Special Ceremony in May

August 25, 2023

Homeland unveiled its Tribute Medallions at a special ceremony held in May at Homeland Center in Uptown Harrisburg. The Tribute Medallions along with a special plaque about Homeland are displayed on the iron fence that surrounds the facility. The zinc metal medallions are a tribute to loved ones who received…

Board of Managers member Maggie Kirsch: Gratitude and fulfillment

August 8, 2023

Maggie Kirsch can’t name a single incident that exemplifies her beautiful experiences at Homeland. “All the little ones make up for one big one,” she said. “Everybody is so kind, considerate, and caring here that I can’t honestly say there’s one big thing. It’s the little things that make this…

Artist Shelly Lipscomb Echevarria: A passion for beauty and justice

July 28, 2023

Shelly Lipscomb Echevarria has a gift for seeing the spectrum of colors in a blue sky. The skies in her paintings shimmer in blue, green, gold, red, and orange. “I like painting the skies,” she said as she hangs her artwork at Homeland. “They always change. They’re never the same.”…

Resident Carl Barna grows a community garden

July 20, 2023

Carl Barna is looking over the Homeland vegetable garden when he spots a tomato, ripe and red. “Oh, my gosh,” he said. “Did you see that? Look at that. Holy cow.” Carl is a lifelong gardener who never ceases to delight in his creations, and now, he gets to share…