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Construction is well underway on The Legacy Midtown Park, The Legacy Senior Communities’ Jewish-sponsored rental continuing care retirement community. The new community is a symbol of the nonprofit organization’s commitment to Dallas-area Jewish seniors and their families, and it represents the next step in the organization’s 65-year history of providing vibrant lifestyles and high-quality care for seniors. Recently, the organization celebrated a topping-off of the community’s health care center, which is scheduled to open its doors in summer 2020.

“As an organization, we strive to ensure that our services allow us to best serve Jewish seniors and their families,” said Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “Through The Legacy Midtown Park, we are creating an environment where residents can thrive with state-of-the-art resources, innovative programming and a deep commitment to Jewish seniors and their families. From the design of the community to the team members brought on board, we’ve taken every step to ensure that The Legacy Midtown Park is a place seniors are proud to call home. We are thrilled to announce each milestone that brings us closer to our purpose of serving Jewish seniors in the Dallas community.”

The urban and contemporary retirement community will be part of the thriving Midtown Park development in North Dallas between Meadow Road and Royal Lane near North Central Expressway. The community will have 184 independent living apartments and the highest quality of care in 51 assisted living apartments, 36 memory care residences, and 54 suites for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. Construction for the project is being overseen by The Belaire Group, which serves as the project’s Owner’s Representative. The Belaire Group has provided consulting services for The Legacy Senior Communities since the initial planning phase in 2014. The project team for The Legacy Midtown Park also consists of Brian Schiff & Associates (development consultant), StudioSix5 (interior designers), D2 Architecture, and Talley Associates (landscape architects), who are all working to make The Legacy Midtown Park a reality. According to Marco DePalma, president of The Belaire Group, The Legacy Midtown Park has been designed to go above and beyond in providing an efficiently designed community for seniors with access to the high quality services that The Legacy Senior Communities is known for.

“The uniqueness of the project is that it was designed with extreme attention to detail when it comes to an elegant and contemporary design, all while being functional for residents,” said DePalma. “The Legacy Senior Communities has worked to provide a community for future residents that is more than just a place to call home, but a place where residents are able to live active and vibrant lifestyles. Construction is moving along, and we’re pleased to have recently completed the roof on our healthcare center. Additionally, the first floor for the Assisted and Memory Care building was placed following the Fourth of July holiday, and we anticipate a new floor being poured in each building every 10 days. We’re pleased to see the community taking shape and look forward to seeing the finished product.”

Construction on the three different buildings are occurring concurrently across The Legacy Midtown Park campus. The community expects to open the healthcare center building, offering short-term rehab and long-term skilled nursing services in summer 2020. Following the opening of the healthcare center next summer, the assisted living and memory care building is anticipated to open shortly after, followed by independent living in the first quarter of 2021. Located on 10 acres in the Midtown Park development, The Legacy Midtown Park will be the only Jewish-sponsored rental retirement community in Dallas. The development will offer security and peace of mind for people of all faiths who will call the community home. With multiple dining options including kosher kitchens, a full-service pub with a billiards table, a golf simulator, underground parking, fully equipped fitness, aerobics studio and aquatic center, as well as many other cutting-edge amenities, The Legacy Midtown Park will create the lifestyle desired by seniors today and for years to come.

The Legacy at Home, the organization’s not-for-profit home health care and hospice agency, will also provide home health care, personal assistance, and hospice services for both residents of The Legacy Midtown Park and seniors in the surrounding area. The services provided through The Legacy at Home will act as an extension to further the continuum of care offered at The Legacy Midtown Park.

“As construction moves forward, we couldn’t be more excited to witness The Legacy Midtown Park becoming a reality,” said John Falldine, executive director of The Legacy Midtown Park. “The Legacy Senior Communities has a long-established reputation of excellence for serving Jewish seniors and their families in North Texas, and through The Legacy Midtown Park we will be able to continue that dedication to high-quality service in the heart of Dallas. In addition, as a rental model without an upfront entry fee, our community will offer seniors the opportunity to enjoy the active lifestyle of an urban setting, all while maintaining the privacy and comforts of a close-knit community.”

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The Legacy Senior Communities is pleased to announce the appointment of John Falldine as executive director of The Legacy Midtown Park, a premier rental continuing care retirement community currently under development in Dallas. Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities, made the announcement. Falldine’s appointment comes as the not-for-profit organization recently began construction on the project. Located on 10 acres on Manderville Lane between Meadow Road and Royal Lane just east of U.S. Highway 75, the community will offer  luxury independent living, as well as the full complement of health care services including assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation. The community’s health care center is expected to complete construction early in 2020, with the remainder of the community to open shortly after. Falldine joins The Legacy Senior Communities with more than 20 years of experience in a variety of roles across the senior living industry.

“John is an incredible asset to our team, and we know that he will accomplish wonderful things for The Legacy Midtown Park,” said Orth. “His knowledge and experience in the industry truly sets him apart and will benefit the seniors we serve and their families for years to come. He is a proven leader who encourages his team to produce individual and group growth, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have him at the helm. We’re excited for what the future holds and cannot wait to see the positive impact that John and his team have on our residents and their families.”

“I am excited to have the opportunity to join The Legacy Senior Communities and assist in making The Legacy Midtown Park a reality,” said Falldine. “The Legacy Senior Communities’ long-established reputation for excellence was a big factor in my decision. I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to work with a team that is experienced and dedicated to providing a quality product for seniors here in Dallas. I’ve worked with communities from development all the way through operation and every step in-between, and it will be exciting to have that opportunity again with The Legacy Midtown Park.”

Throughout his career, Falldine has held a variety of positions across the senior living industry, most recently working as a senior living consultant. Previously, Falldine served as executive director for Edgemere Senior Living in Dallas for 10 years and The Buckingham in Houston for three years. Early in his career he also held various director-level roles in operations and management. While new to The Legacy Senior Communities organization, he previously worked with the development team on The Legacy Willow Bend during his time with Greystone Communities. His familiarity with The Legacy Senior Communities and its reputation, as well as his connection to the Greater Dallas community, were strong draws for Falldine, who has found an opportunity to again take on a role that allows him to fulfill his passion for hospitality and service.

“We’re thrilled to have John join us as we work towards making The Legacy Midtown Park a reality,” said Carol Aaron, chair of the board of directors for The Legacy Midtown Park. “With the Midtown Park campus we have the opportunity to meet the needs of the Dallas Jewish senior population now and in the future. We’re fortunate to have someone with John’s talent and level of expertise join us in our endeavor and look forward to working with him to ensure that our vision for the community becomes a reality.”

“Having the opportunity to come on board at the beginning of a new project is very exciting,” said Falldine. “I love community development and having the ability to bring a community to life is something that I find incredibly rewarding. The entire Legacy team has been welcoming and supportive, and we look forward to getting the community up and running. We have an excellent team in place that will make this community a place our residents are proud to call home for years to come.”

The development will offer security and peace of mind for people of all faiths who will call the community home. With multiple dining options (including kosher choices), a full-service pub with a billiards table, a golf simulator, underground parking, a fully equipped fitness, aerobics studio and aquatic center, as well as many other cutting-edge amenities, The Legacy Midtown Park will create the lifestyle desired by seniors today and for years to come.

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The Legacy Senior Communities, a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to serving seniors and their families for 65 years, has announced the election of Jerry Rasansky as chair of the board of trustees. Rasansky has served the organization in various roles, including chairing the board for The Legacy Preston Hollow – Dallas Home for Jewish Aged. Rasansky is stepping into this leadership role at a pivotal time of growth for the organization, as The Legacy Midtown Park (the organization’s rental continuing care retirement community) recently started construction in Dallas. Rasansky also begins his new position as the organization recently completed a series of formal strategic planning sessions to affirm and strengthen the organization’s mission and values, as well as cohesively define goals and strategies for the next five years.

“We are excited about the future of our organization and are thrilled to announce Jerry as chair of our board,” said Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “Jerry has demonstrated integrity and dedication to our organization for a long time and has strong connections to the Jewish community. We are aligned in our vision for the organization, and I personally look forward to partnering with him to ensure we provide compassionate care and excellence in everything we do.”

“As a child, I can remember visiting the Dallas Home for Jewish Aged Golden Acres campus on many occasions. Those experiences helped me understand our responsibility to care for our aging community. I am honored to serve as chairman for an organization that provides an exceptional lifestyle and exemplary care every day,” said Rasansky. “I want to thank Marc Stanley and Carol Aaron, who served before me. I am inspired by their exemplary leadership and will build upon the strong foundation that they have established.”

Stanley is the former chair of the board for The Legacy Senior Communities and will now step into the role as chair of the board for The Legacy Senior Communities Endowment Foundation. Aaron is the chair of the board of directors of The Legacy Midtown Park.

“I have tremendous confidence in Jerry’s ability to lead. He brings a terrific skillset to the board and has shown a real commitment toward the organization and the community overall,” said Stanley. “I’m grateful to have served with an amazing executive staff and committee that was dedicated to our mission, and I look forward to growing our endowment so that we can be in a better position to provide financial assistance as we move the organization towards the future.”

The Legacy Senior Communities offers the full continuum of quality care and lifestyle options desired by seniors and their families through its three entities: The Legacy Willow Bend, a life care continuing care retirement community in Plano; The Legacy Midtown Park, a rental continuing care retirement community under construction in Dallas; and The Legacy at Home, a not-for-profit home health agency and hospice service.

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Sharon Levin, Marion Glazer, Carol Aaron and Andre

The Legacy Senior Communities (a not-for-profit charitable organization) is proud to announce that the organization reached the $15 million philanthropic campaign goal in the largest capital campaign in its history. The donated funds will help build The Legacy Midtown Park rental continuing care retirement community in Dallas, which symbolizes the next chapter in the organization’s 65-year commitment to providing a vibrant lifestyle and high-quality care for area seniors. In addition, the organization closed on the financing for the $186 million community, and construction is now underway.  

The urban and contemporary retirement community will be part of the thriving Midtown Park development in North Dallas between Meadow Road and Royal Lane near North Central Expressway. The community will have 184 independent living apartments and the highest quality of care in 51 assisted living apartments, 36 memory care residences, and 54 suites for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. Once completed, the community will create approximately 350 new jobs.

“I remember when we first started talking about creating this community and am so thrilled to witness this historic day in our organization’s history,” said Marc R. Stanley, chairman of the board of trustees for The Legacy Senior Communities. “We promised to build a rental retirement community with independent living and all levels of care on one campus, and we are ready to fulfill that commitment. I am so excited that The Legacy Midtown Park will meet the needs of our seniors and their families in a stunning campus that will provide a sense of connection, togetherness and engagement. Our seniors will have access to all the amenities they deserve and receive exemplary care. I am honored to be a part of this project, and I thank everyone, especially our generous donors, talented staff and loving volunteers who helped us reach this day.”

“The Legacy Midtown Park is being built for the community by the community, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped us reach this milestone,” said Carol Aaron, co-chair of the capital campaign committee and chair of the board of directors of The Legacy Midtown Park. “I feel a tremendous sense of pride as I watch our vision become a reality. We have an opportunity to provide a sense of comfort for families and meet the needs of our senior population now and in the future.”

Located on 10 acres in the Midtown Park development, The Legacy Midtown Park will be the only Jewish-sponsored rental retirement community in Dallas. However, the development will offer security and peace of mind for people of all faiths who will call the community home. With multiple dining options, a fully equipped fitness, aerobics and aquatic center and cutting-edge amenities, The Legacy Midtown Park will create the lifestyle desired by seniors today and for years to come. The Legacy at Home, the organization’s not-for-profit home health care agency, will also provide home health care, personal assistance, and hospice services for both residents and seniors in the surrounding area.  

“The Legacy Midtown Park will help us extend our mission, expand our services and broaden our reach by allowing us to serve more seniors and their families in the manner that best meets each family’s needs,” said Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “We are creating a dynamic environment where seniors will have meaningful relationships, innovative programming, outstanding care and a deep commitment from our entire team. We are tremendously excited for what the future holds, and I cannot wait to positively impact the lives of so many seniors and their families.”

“I would like to personally thank our capital campaign co-chairs Carol and Steve Aaron and Marion and Bennett Glazer, as well as our vice-chairs Sharon and Chuck Levin and our committee members. We would not be here today without their dedication and the generosity of our donors who share our deep commitment to seniors and their families,” said Andrea Statman, director of development for The Legacy Senior Communities.

Construction on the different levels of living will begin concurrently across The Legacy Midtown Park campus. The community expects to open long-term care and short-term rehab first quarter 2020, with independent living, assisted living and memory care preparing to open in late 2020. The Legacy Senior Communities will extend its capital campaign to give everyone in the community the opportunity to be a part of building this campus for Dallas seniors. At this point, the organization will also focus on raising necessary dollars for The Financial Assistance Fund to potentially be a safety net for seniors who need help.

The Legacy Senior Communities currently serves seniors through The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s only not-for-profit life care retirement community, and The Legacy at Home, the largest not-for-profit home health care agency in Greater Dallas with personal assistance services, Medicare-certified home health care, and hospice services. The Legacy Midtown Park will help the organization better meet the variety of needs of seniors in Dallas.

For more information about The Legacy Midtown Park, please contact Dana Hanks by calling 972-468-6208 or emailing dhanks@thelegacywb.org.

For more information about donating, please contact Andrea Statman, director of development for The Legacy Senior Communities, by calling (972) 468-6161 or emailing astatman@thelegacysc.org.

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It takes a unique individual to dedicate her life to ensuring the betterment and well-being of those around her. Florence Kramer, a resident of The Legacy Willow Bend, has such a passion, as she continues enhancing the lives of others even in retirement. From a young age Kramer helped others, most notably by pursuing a career as a teacher for special needs students at a time when there were not many teachers entering that area of education. When she chose to take on a career in special education, she did so knowing that it would allow her to give back some of the blessings she received over the years. In retirement she continued her mission to change lives by starting the volunteer program for The Legacy Senior Communities, the not-for-profit parent company of The Legacy Willow Bend. Kramer led the program for four years, building a solid foundation for a program that now consists of over 350 volunteers donating their time to help seniors. After Kramer’s husband, Larry, passed away she decided to move into The Legacy Willow Bend.

“I feel extremely fortunate for everything I have experienced, and I am happy to have the opportunity to share my blessings with others,” said Kramer. “I began working in special education at a time when schools did not focus on it, and interestingly enough I was only one of six graduates with that degree when I graduated from Penn State. Teaching impacted my life in a tremendous way and allowed me to love my special needs students. I have a passion for giving back to others, and I think we all need to stay open minded by focusing on each other’s’ strengths, not weaknesses. When I was approached to begin the volunteer program for The Legacy Senior Communities, I knew it would allow me to continue giving back in a different way. The four years I spent with the organization were wonderful, and I loved seeing how we positively impacted the lives of those served by the organization. Now that I am a resident of The Legacy Willow Bend, it’s great to see the other side of the work that I nurtured. Watching the volunteers of today serve the residents and staff brings a smile to my face and reminds me that I built something lasting.”

Looking back on her time as volunteer coordinator, Kramer is most proud of the intergenerational bonds formed between residents and student volunteers. The relationships reminded her of what it means to care for others and realize the impact we have on one another’s lives. In addition to her work with The Legacy Senior Communities, Kramer has also served in various capacities as a volunteer in the Jewish community. Her service activities include a position as a past board chair for CHAI, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and other local organizations.

Today, Kramer is busy finding new ways to build a better world. While she may no longer have an active presence in the volunteer program, she actively encourages others to volunteer and serve the greater community. She attends the various programs and activities at the senior living community, urging her fellow neighbors to try new things, and she enjoys visiting with her friends who sometimes need a friendly face. It’s the little things that mean so much.

“We’re proud to have individuals in our community like Florence Kramer who remind us how even the smallest acts of kindness can leave a lasting impression,” said Laura Levy, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend. “At The Legacy Senior Communities, we provide quality and compassionate care to those we serve, and Florence is a testament to that ideal as she continues to live by that standard every day. Having a former member of our Legacy team living in our community reminds us of the importance of our mission and inspires us to maintain our high standards. We hope that by sharing her story of kindness and selflessness, others are encouraged to serve their neighbors and the Greater Dallas community.”

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(From left) Melissa Orth, Marc R. Stanley, Carol Aaron, Marion Glazer, Jennifer Staubach Gates, Michael Ellentuck, Fraser Marcus, Brian Barnes

PLANO, Texas, June 18, 2018 – The Legacy Senior Communities, a not-for-profit charitable organization, officially broke ground on The Legacy Midtown Park rental continuing care retirement community in Dallas. The organization celebrated the milestone with board members, donors and invited guests. Once completed, the total project cost of The Legacy Midtown Park will be $175 million, and it will create approximately 350 jobs. The community will have 184 independent living apartments, and the highest quality of care in 50 assisted living apartments, 36 memory care residences, and 54 suites for short-term rehabilitation or long-term care. In an urban, contemporary setting with multiple dining options, a fully equipped fitness, aerobics and aquatic center and cutting-edge amenities, The Legacy Midtown Park will provide the lifestyle desired by seniors today and for years to come. The Legacy at Home, the organization’s not-for-profit home health care agency, will also provide home health care and personal care for residents if needed.

The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from Marc R. Stanley, chairman of the board of trustees of The Legacy Senior Communities; Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins; Carol Aaron, co-chair of the capital campaign committee and chair of the board of directors of The Legacy Midtown Park; Michael Ellentuck, director of project development for The Legacy Midtown Park; Mark Kreditor, Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas board chair; Dallas City Council Member Jennifer Staubach Gates; and Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. Rabbi Adam Roffman of Congregation Shearith Israel led the concluding prayer.

“A community is judged by the way it cares for its elders, and it is our responsibility to build a campus that provides a wonderful lifestyle, offers the highest quality of care and meets the needs of the community,” said Carol Aaron, co-chair of the capital campaign committee and chair of the board of directors of The Legacy Midtown Park. “I am thrilled to reach this historic moment in our organization’s history, and I want to personally thank all of our donors who stepped up to make this community a reality.”

“We are embarking on an exciting new chapter for The Legacy Senior Communities. The Legacy Midtown Park will be a state-of-the-art retirement community with independent living and all other levels of care on one campus,” said Marc R. Stanley, chairman of the board of trustees for The Legacy Senior Communities. “North Texas families have been asking us for years to create a rental continuing care retirement community in Dallas, and we are thrilled to respond with this amazing community.”

Located on 10 acres in the Midtown Park development between Meadow Road and Royal Lane just off North Central Expressway in Dallas, The Legacy Midtown Park will be the only Jewish-sponsored rental retirement community in Dallas. However, the development will offer security and peace of mind for people of all faiths who will call the community home.

“We are a mission-based organization, and we have a proud history of caring for seniors and their families in Dallas,” said Melissa Orth, president and CEO of The Legacy Senior Communities. “The Legacy Midtown Park will allow us to continue our dedication to seniors through innovative programming, superior care and exceptional lifestyle options. It is an honor to build this unique community, and we look forward to furthering our commitment to serving Dallas seniors and their families.”

Project partners include Dallas-based D2 Architecture; Andres Construction Services, StudioSIX5, interior design firm; Talley Associates, landscape architecture; The Belaire Group, development consultant; SunTrust Bank, lead arranger; and Frost Bank.

“The Legacy Senior Communities is fulfilling a long-term vision with the construction of this innovative continuing care retirement community,” said Julia Harman, Dallas-Fort Worth market president for SunTrust.  “We are thrilled to bring our aging services expertise to bear in partnering with Legacy on this important financing within the Dallas marketplace.”

Construction on the entire community will officially start next month. The community expects to begin opening Fall 2019 with long-term care and short-term rehab, and independent living and other levels of care will open in 2020.

For more information about the project, the public can contact Andrea Statman, director of development for The Legacy Senior Communities, by calling (972) 468-6161 or emailing astatman@thelegacysc.org.