WesleyLife At Home

03/27/2026

More evidence that everything in life is about the connections and relationships we form:

Last night, members of the WesleyLife team attended a Turkish dinner hosted by the Des Moines Area Community College Culinary Arts program at the Iowa Culinary Institute. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the DMACC program, and our team members enjoyed a wonderful evening.

The experience was especially meaningful for Maureen Onyeziri, our director of organizational learning. Maureen writes:

"Meeting this woman was the highlight of my evening. Her name is Gloria Mariette Okpara, from Nigeria. She’s Igbo (my tribe). During chef introductions, I heard her name and immediately knew her country and tribe.

"While they were walking away after introductions, I said 'Thank you for the amazing dinner' and 'Well done' in my native Igbo language, and she immediately came over to hug me! She also met me on my way out at the end of the night and said how pleased she was to hear someone else speak Igbo to her in Iowa. She called it a rare experience since she moved here, and it made her heart swell."

We are happy Maureen and Gloria were able to connect in such a real and organic way. A big "thank you" to Krista Adams and her culinary team for facilitating unique opportunities not only for the residents we serve, but for the team members who execute and support the serving!

03/26/2026

Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group is in the middle of a volunteer effort to support meal deliveries and well-being checks for older adults and military veterans in the Des Moines area by "taking over" WesleyLife Meals on Wheels deliveries all week! Principal team members also are helping to harvest greens in the Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm on the Meals on Wheels campus.

WesleyLife deeply appreciates Principal's prioritization of giving back to people in need throughout the Greater Des Moines community. Enjoy this WOI-TV WeAreIowa story on the difference their efforts made to one east-side resident yesterday.

88-year-old Janice Killian says Meals on Wheels allows her to keep her independence.

03/24/2026

Team Member Spotlight🌟Meet Ellie!
Ellie supports our WesleyLife At Home Home Health team as a Case Manager. She returned to WesleyLife At Home in 2025, after originally starting with us as an RN in 2021.
She’s looking forward to warm weather and spending time at the lake. Ellie’s favorite part of working at WesleyLife is the strong connections she has built with her leaders who genuinely care about her as a person, not just an employee.
Thank you, Ellie, for everything you do to support our team and those we serve!

03/23/2026

National Volunteer Month is right around the corner. In early observation, we're featuring a story about two dedicated Meals on Wheels volunteers whose motivation to give of their time is straightforward: They saw a need, and they responded. Read about Tom and Linda Corson in the link below.

For Tom and Linda Corson, delivering meals means building relationships, supporting pets, and showing up with care each week.

03/20/2026

Today we welcome the first day of spring, a season of fresh starts, growth, and new possibilities. At WesleyLife At Home, spring reminds us of the joy found in caring connections, brighter days, and helping our clients live well where they feel most comfortable—at home.
Here’s to longer sunshine-filled days, blooming moments, and continuing to make a difference together. Happy Spring! 🌷

03/18/2026

Team Member Spotlight🌟

This week, we’re excited to spotlight our Physical Therapy Lead, George Perry!

George started with WesleyLife At Home in 2024 after relocating to Iowa from her home state of Oklahoma. She shared that some of her very first Iowa friends were her coworkers, a true testament to the welcoming culture of our team.
George describes her experience with the team at WesleyLife At Home as “women supporting women through all phases of life.”

Thank you, George, for being a valued and impactful member of the WesleyLife At Home team!

03/18/2026

Want to learn more about the Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm on the WesleyLife Meals on Wheels campus? Travel Iowa features the farm in its Farm to Table series, highlighting how our own Amanda Kanehl and her team are joining other growers in promoting food as medicine to make Iowa healthier. Take a moment to watch!

https://hubs.li/Q04765jv0

03/17/2026

At WesleyLife at Home, we struck a pot of gold with our incredible team members. Our team members bring compassion, dedication, and heart to everything they do and it shows every single day!
We’re so lucky to work alongside such an incredible team! 💚

03/13/2026

For decades, many people have assumed the goal of aging is simple: Stay in your home as long as possible. But the more relevant question is: HOW do you want to live as you grow older?

In a recent Forbes article, leadership expert Jann Freed explores why some older adults are choosing community living earlier — not out of necessity, but as a proactive choice for connection, activity, and peace of mind.

The story includes perspective from our own Rob Kretzinger, WesleyLife's president and CEO, who shares why making the move sooner can open the door to more opportunities for engagement, friendships, and purpose.

Read the article here:
https://hubs.li/Q046FcPT0

03/11/2026

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels' consistent goal is to impact food insecurity in Central Iowa by reaching as many older adults and military veterans as possible who could benefit from daily meal delivery and well-being checks. To that end, our executive director of community nutrition, Shannon Draayer, met with officials from the city of Bondurant, including city administrator Marketa Oliver, this week to discuss ways to better reach residents. Shannon and the team toured Bondurant's new Emergency Services building and took the opportunity to snap a photo!

03/06/2026

Today is Nationally known as Team Member (employee) Appreciation Day!!
We are beyond grateful for every single team member at WAH!! Each person plays a vital role in the work we do. We are forever grateful for our team!!