When longtime ERS donor Linda Stetson encouraged VP of Affordable Living Jimmy Wilson to “Dream Big” to improve health and wellness, he and his team rose to the challenge.
With a goal to empower low-income senior residents in ERS Affordable Living (ERSAL) communities to live longer, healthier, and happier lives, Jimmy recognized there were countless options to enhance wellness. However, he wanted to ensure the most effective approaches were used. This led him to collaborate with the Xavier University Center for Population Health, leveraging research to evaluate success and guide the program’s direction and to hopefully one day create a model that can be shared well beyond the reach of ERS.
Wes Bogard joined the team in 2024 to lead the Well Being initiative. Phase 1 launched in a single ERSAL community, with another serving as a control group. Encouraged by strong initial results, in 2025 the program expanded to 11 communities across the Greater Cincinnati region. The ten year plan includes expansion to all 33+ ERSAL communities.
By incorporating all Eight Dimensions of Wellness, Wes and his colleagues in Affordable Living are empowering residents to take charge of their health in new and transformative ways.
Impressed with the progress and preliminary research findings, and moved by stories of significant improvements in quality of life of several participants, Linda and David recently made the incredible decision to commit an additional $1M gift to propel the vision for Well Being forward.
According to Jimmy, expanding the Well Being team is essential to achieving the full vision for the initiative. One that has been made possible thanks to the Stetsons’ gift. “This is a pivotal moment. With a full team in place, we are in a great position to continue the groundbreaking work the Stetsons have made possible.”
A lifelong smoker, Allen was confined to a motorized wheelchair and connected to oxygen at all times.
He admits he had neglected his health for many years and his living conditions did not help, describing his last apartment as drug infested and crime ridden. Moving to the ERS Affordable Living community, St. Paul Village, was like night and day, he reflects. But the true turning point in his life came when a good friend passed away. Allen lacked the strength to attend the memorial service.
“It’s embarrassing to be unable to move or do what you need to do. It’s hard to ask for help,” Allen admits.
But ERS Well Being Manager Wes Bogard put him at ease. The two of them meet Monday-Friday in the SPV fitness center. He’s now 20 pounds lighter thanks to training with Wes as well as participating in group exercise classes and walking the building. During a recent workout, Allen climbed up and down a flight of stairs- twice. “I haven’t climbed the stairs in seven years!” he marveled.
“Allen is a walking advertisement for the Well Being program here at St. Paul Village. Other residents are seeing his transformation and saying, I want to do that, too!” explains Wes.
Allen is grateful to have found a new lease on life at SPV. “If you can find a good place to live and you take care of your health and life, you have a chance of going on. I want to be around as long as I can.”
