Sedgebrook hires new spiritual wellness coordinator
The new spiritual wellness coordinator at Sedgebrook, Joan Chao, changed her career path after nearly 25 years in accounting and couldn't be happier.
Chao began her role at Sedgebrook in December, and says she has quickly found a home among the residents and staff at the senior living community.
"My role is to work with residents and create an atmosphere of spiritual outreach," Chao said.
To meet the needs of the religious diversity on campus, Chao works with the Interfaith Council, Jewish Council, Protestant Council, and Catholic Council to provide programs suitable for residents at Sedgebrook.
"I am very grateful to work for this community. The residents are very gentle, kind and forever young in their hearts," Chao said.
While residents at all levels of health care have access to Chao for their spiritual needs, her role is also to provide spiritual support for family members, including those whose loved ones are in hospice.
Chao attended the University of Finance and Economics in Shanghai and majored in banking, then traveled to the United States to attend the University of Minnesota in St. Paul to get her master's degree in economics, focusing on the Futures Marketing in 1990.
"I came from China as an international student and, because of that, I had no family here," Chao said. "I met two ladies who were missionaries and they started me in a Bible study and treated me as their daughter; their love has changed my worldview and my life."
Chao says that she eventually joined the Edgewood Baptist Church and became a Christian. Gradually, she began to change her mind about her chosen profession.
"I sought the meaning of my life and would like to help people instead of dealing endlessly with figures and reports" Chao said. "So I applied to Trinity International University Seminary in Deerfield."
She worked as an accountant from 2009 to 2014 while studying at Trinity, and for the past five years she has taken on the role of Chinese fellowship coordinator at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church in Arlington Heights.
Additionally, Chao also has served in the homeless group ministry at this church since January 2015.
She received her master's degree in counseling ministry in May 2015, and has clearly found meaning in her ministry work.
"A commandment of God is to 'Love your neighbor as yourself,'" Chao said. "My neighbor can be Jewish, Protestant, Catholic, Muslim ... I respect an individual's personal beliefs and love them as myself.
"Sedgebrook residents come from various faith traditions; we accept each other respectfully and live in harmony and peace. I embrace interfaith and enjoy learning and gaining understanding of other faith teachings. This has enriched me in many ways."
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community in Lincolnshire. For information about Sedgebrook, visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call (847) 901-3319.
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