Friendship Salem Terrace received first place recognition in the 2024 D. A. “Woody” Brown Community Involvement Awards for Facility Newsletter. For over 30 years, the Virginia Health Care Association - Virginia Center for Assisted Living (VHCA-VCAL) has acknowledged the outstanding activity programs that involve, entertain, educate and enrich the individuals in their care. Newsletters are a special form of communication in senior living that foster a sense of belonging and community. To qualify for the awards, Assisted Living Communities must submit three different issues of their newsletter published over the course of a year. Judging is based on content, readability, creativity, special features, relevance, timeliness and resident/employee involvement. Friendship Salem Terrace Program Director Mike Puckett said, "We are excited to win this award because our newsletter captures the vibrant spirit of our residents and staff, blending creativity, relevance, and engagement into each thoughtfully crafted issue.” “We applaud the creative efforts and hard work that go into developing excellent programing and events to enrich the lives of residents and promotes person-centered care. We are very proud of the unique efforts VHCA-VCAL members like Friendship Salem Terrace make to engage their residents and patients every day.” said Keith Hare, President and CEO of VHCA-VCAL.
Friendship Retirement Community embraced the spirit of International Friendship Day on July 30th with heartwarming celebrations across all our communities. This special day was an opportunity to highlight the importance of our values ( teamwork, positivity, accountability, compassion and respect) and the strong bonds we share with our residents and team members. To commemorate this occasion, we indulged in a day filled with sweet treats! From morning coffee and donuts to lunchtime peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and afternoon cookies and milk, our residents enjoyed delectable delights throughout the day. These shared moments created a joyful atmosphere, fostering connections among residents and staff alike. Moreover, our employees proudly donned their "Better Together" shirts, symbolizing the united front and collaborative spirit that defines our team. This visual representation of our teamwork underscored the importance of working together to create a thriving and supportive community for our residents. International Friendship Day was a truly special day at Friendship Retirement Community. We believe that strong relationships are essential to well-being, and we are committed to cultivating a warm and friendly environment for all.
Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin visited Friendship Salem Terrace on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 as the senior living community commemorated the day that Virginia joined the union in 1788. Friendship’s President and CEO Joe Hoff said, “Friendship’s Virginia Day is a chance to honor the rich history and heritage of a state that many of our residents have called home for most of their lives. Celebrating Virginia allows them to reminisce about cherished memories, share stories with fellow residents, and connect with a sense of place that holds deep meaning. It's a reminder that while life chapters may change, the joy of community stays with us always." Residents and staff met with delegates, mayors and other elected officials after sampling Virginia foods and watching a documentary on Virginia’s history. After speaking to a packed house, Governor Youngkin presented Friendship President and CEO Joe Hoff with an honorary Virginia flag.
ROANOKE, VA – With a record-breaking 17,391 ballots cast, the Roanoker Magazine’s “Best of Roanoke” reader poll was tabulated, and Friendship was honored to win an unprecedented number of awards. The annual reader poll invites the community to cast their votes for the best in our community. Friendship earned the Platinum Award for the best: Place to Work Local Company that Gives Back Local Company on the Grow Rehab/Post-Op Facility Home Health Care Friendship earned the Gold Award for the best: Retirement Community Place to Have a Meeting/Conference Friendship earned the Silver Award for the best: Physical Therapy Practice In addition, two of Friendship’s leaders were recognized: President and CEO, Joe Hoff, was awarded the Platinum Award for “Top Healthcare Champion” and Vice President of Operations-Friendship, Brandon Evans, was awarded the Gold Award for “Star of the Star City.” Hoff gained recognition in the past year for his leadership in merging Friendship and Richfield Living, two premier full-service retirement communities with a combined 160 years of experience in serving southwestern Virginia. “We’re grateful for the awards we’ve won for our service. We’re proud of how we’ve expanded to multiple campuses in the Roanoke area. But the most valuable reward for our work is observing how we help each of our residents to live better,” said Hoff. In a time when 4-in-5 residential care facilities are run by for-profit companies, Friendship, as a non-profit, continues
