Category: News

Julie Lebid has worked as an Executive Assistant at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) since May of 2024. In this role, she supports the administrative team, managing schedules and meetings as well as assisting with special projects and event planning. We caught up with Julie for a fun Q and A to get to know her better. Read more about her below.

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
I am passionate about helping people! Whether it’s supporting my teammates or assisting residents, I find great fulfillment in making a positive impact. Helping others brings me a sense of purpose.

Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW:
My favorite moments are meeting new residents, sometimes with their furry friends. I enjoy learning their stories and seeing the special bonds they share with their pets, which adds to the warmth of our community.

What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
The daily dedication of OAW teammates and residents to make the community a wonderful place to work and live makes us stand out. That dedication creates a strong sense of family.

What is something that makes you feel proud?
I am most proud of how I’ve mastered working in a fast-paced environment while staying organized and focused. Solving problems on the spot has become one of my strengths, and it’s rewarding to see the immediate results of my actions. The positive feedback I receive from residents and teammates reassures me that I’m on the right track and inspires me to keep improving.

Share about your family:
My fiancé, Austin, and I have been together for five years, and we have three beautiful kids, Dazy, Teddy and Clyde. Well, we call them kids, but other people might just call them dogs! We’re convinced they think they are humans!

Tell us about your hobbies:
I love to travel, explore new places and experience different cultures. I also enjoy playing the piano – it helps me to relax and unwind. I like to read, and occasionally, I try my hand at painting.

On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, I usually spend time with my family.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
I love Ukrainian cuisine. It’s my comfort food and brings back warm memories of my family and childhood.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would describe me as supportive and trustworthy. I’m always there to listen when they need to talk, and they know they can count on me for help or advice, no matter the situation. I value loyalty and always try to be a dependable friend.

The Therapy Room at The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) officially opened on March 10, and provides outpatient Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy for residents. The OAW Therapy program will also offer services to patients in surrounding areas in the near future. The therapy program specializes in supporting seniors, but therapists will be able to treat patients of any age with a doctor’s order.

Estee Cahani, Presbyterian Village North Director of Rehabilitation, is leading the therapy charge at the Plano community and holds weekly hours inside the Wellness Office. OAW Residents are encouraged to contact Estee regarding their needs.

Estee shared, “The therapy program’s goal is simple. We want our residents to live the life they choose, where pain and physical disability do not stop them from doing the things they love and enjoy. We are here to advocate for people and provide the education necessary to make informed health decisions. We simply want to help them make each moment matter!”

The OAW Therapy program offers a range of services to address various therapy needs:

• Physical therapy helps improve function, strength, musculoskeletal health and mobility, as well as address joint and muscle pain, neuro-muscular affliction, vestibular dysfunction, balance and post-operative care for swelling, range of motion and strength. 

• Occupational therapy (OT) improves a patient’s activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing and grooming, using the bathroom, eating, home management and meal preparation. Additionally, OT addresses pain management and can facilitate improvements in joint mobility and strength.

• Speech therapy helps restore and maintain all aspects of communication, including listening, reading, writing and language interpretation. This therapy can also assist with chewing and swallowing abilities.

By Amee McGough

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) observed Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, with a special service centered on reflection, prayer and the imposition of ashes. Lent lasts 40 days, representing Jesus’ fasting and testing in the wilderness, and is meant to serve as a time of repentance in the Christian faith in preparation for Easter. The ashes are a formal reminder of mortality and the need for repentance upon entering a season of spiritual renewal.

Shane Barnes, OAW’s Director of Spiritual Life, delivered a message that explored the history of Ash Wednesday, the significance of ashes in scripture and shared a responsive reading from Psalm 51. He encouraged attendees to fully open themselves to God during this Lenten season. He challenged residents to go forth as God’s beloved while recognizing the same in others, embrace each day with purpose and carry out God’s work with kindness and justice. Shane is eager to continue learning about the spiritual needs of OAW residents and develop ministries and programs that support and encourage them in their faith journeys.

By Amee McGough

Marco Banuelas, Fire Rescue Specialist at Plano Fire Rescue, stopped by The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) to share essential fire prevention information and emergency tips. OAW residents are now better prepared to protect themselves and their homes. Thank you, Plano Fire Rescue, for empowering our residents!

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The ladies of The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) enjoyed a sophisticated Galentine’s Tea at the iconic Adolphus Hotel, located in Downtown Dallas. Set in the hotel’s historic French Room, afternoon tea service included a selection of fine teas, delicious finger sandwiches, scones and indulgent sweet treats for all to enjoy. Dressed to impress, the group sipped and savored while enjoying the elegant affair. The occasion was a perfect way to celebrate the special women of OAW in a beautiful setting!

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On the evening of February 14, The Outlook at Windhaven residents kicked off the community’s first Valentine’s Day Gala with a fun night featuring chocolates, dancing and live music by entertainer Andy Corridori. It was a blast with residents and teammates showing off their best moves to a variety of classic tunes and crowd favorites like the “YMCA” and “Cha Cha Slide.” The gala brought lots of laughs as neighbors celebrated a memorable Valentine night.

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This month’s Flower Club at The Outlook at Windhaven was in full bloom! Independent Living and Assisted Living residents brought their favorite vases and had a wonderful time arranging gorgeous flowers, generously donated by Trader Joe’s.

Kim Ritucci joined The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) as the Sales and Marketing Assistant in November. In this role, she keeps things running smoothly in the office by supporting the Sales and Marketing team, managing records and handling day-to-day tasks. We caught up with Kim for a fun Q and A to get to know her better. Read more about her below.

What are you passionate about regarding your professional role?
I am passionate about keeping the OAW Sales and Marketing office running smoothly and efficiently.

Favorite memory/moment to date during your time at OAW:
It’s always a highlight to hear residents talk about the positive impact moving to the OAW community has made in their life.

What do you think sets OAW apart from other senior living communities?
I think the strong spirit of the community and the genuine care that teammates have for the residents set us apart. Here, it feels more like a family than just a workplace.

What is something that makes you feel proud?
As a single mom, I am proud of returning to college to earn my degree.

Share about your family:
I have two beautiful children, Isabella (11) and Mason (9). They are my greatest joy and the driving force behind everything I do.

Tell us about your hobbies:
In my free time, I enjoy yoga and singing in my church choir.

On the weekend, you can find me:
On the weekend, I love spending time with my kids and friends.

What are some of your favorite foods and restaurants?
I have a serious sweet tooth and like grabbing a treat whenever I go! But, when it comes to meals, salmon is my go-to and I order it almost everywhere I dine.

How would your friends describe you?
My friends would say I’m loyal and sometimes a little goofy!

Forefront Living Foundation (FLF) plays an important role in advancing the mission and supporting the goals of each of the members of the Forefront Living (FL) family by raising, investing and distributing funds. FL’s senior living communities include Presbyterian Village North (PVN) in Dallas, The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) in Plano and Bella Vida, coming soon to San Antonio.

Rose Donahue, FLF’s Philanthropy Officer of Corporate and Annual Giving, is excited to dedicate time each week engaging with the OAW community. “I’m thrilled to join the OAW community to connect with residents and supporters while contributing to this exciting journey for Forefront Living.”

Philanthropy plays a fundamental role in enriching the programs and services offered across all FL entities, and Rose looks forward to sharing ways to support the FL mission to make each moment matter for those we serve. Through her work, she is eager to build relationships with more OAW residents and teammates as well as Plano businesses to help the community continue to thrive for years to come.

At The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW), the Tuesday of Valentine’s Week was all about wagging tails, warm hearts and giving back! For the third year in a row, Forefront Living (FL) teamed up with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) to spread love through their Valentine’s event—complete with crafts, cuddles and community spirit.

Everyone gathered in the OAW Assisted Living Creative Studio on February 11 for the “Puppy Love”-themed event, where resident’s adorable pups stole the show at the professional Valentine’s photo station. Whether posing with a furry friend or their own pet, residents captured sweet moments to treasure forever.

Meanwhile, the Crafting for a Cause station was buzzing with activity as volunteers, teammates and residents made 50 handmade dog toys for the Plano Animal Shelter—a heartfelt way to share the love with pets in need. 145 beautiful Valentine’s cards were also handcrafted by this creative group. Those cards were delivered on Wednesday to Memory Support residents living at Presbyterian Village North (OAW’s sister community). These vibrant cards brought bringing extra joy to the Forefront Living family.

Of course, no Valentine’s celebration is complete without sweet treats, and both humans and pups enjoyed plenty of them at the pint parlor! A charcuterie spread and assortment of ice cream was available for the humans, and the dogs enjoyed canine-approved pup cups.

“Our partnership with CLA makes this day so special,” said Heather Logan, Forefront Living Controller. “Their kindness and dedication to our residents—and even shelter animals—truly embody the spirit of love and generosity.”

From puppy kisses to creative crafts, this year’s Valentine’s Day Puppy Love was a heartwarming reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest impact. A huge thank you to CLA for helping make this tradition so unforgettable! And heartfelt appreciation to the OAW Community Life team including Courtney Lammons, Hannah McKnight, Katie Snezhkova and Sylvia McCleary as well as the rest of the OAW team for their help in the event’s success.

OAW TEAMMATES AND RESIDENT PHOTOS

CLA AND FL VOLUNTEERS

EVENT PHOTOS

PVN MEMORY CARE RESIDENTS RECEIVING CARDS

Photos by Sarah Macias

MODEL PUPS

by Wendy Van Bemmel

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) is excited to announce a unique partnership with renowned chef, Tre Wilcox, as their Culinary Advisor. In collaboration with Thomas Cuisine, this exclusive pairing brings Chef Tre’s innovative culinary expertise to the brand-new senior living community, located in Plano, enriching the bistro dining experience with his passion for creating personalized, resident-focused menus.

Chef Tre, known for his impressive career, has an extensive background in fine dining and television, including appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef and Iron Chef America, where he triumphed alongside his mentor, Kent Rathbun. His professional journey, which began in a fast-food restaurant, led him to earn prestigious accolades such as a 5-star review at Abacus, an acclaimed fusion restaurant in Dallas, by age 29, multiple James Beard Foundation nominations and recognition as Best Chef  by the Dallas Morning News.

In his consultant role as Culinary Advisor at OAW, Chef Tre’s expertise is instrumental in transforming the dining experience for OAW residents. Working closely with the Thomas Cuisine team, Chef Tre is focused on crafting diverse, high-quality meals that cater to the unique tastes and dietary preferences of the community. His guidance ensures that each meal is infused with creativity, offering residents a dining experience that goes beyond traditional senior living meals.

Chef Tre’s involvement represents a fresh and exciting direction for OAW’s culinary offerings, enhancing the flavor and overall dining experience. His collaboration with the team underscores OAW’s commitment to providing exceptional, personalized services that enrich the lives of its residents.

by Wendy Van Bemmel

We are pleased to announce the addition of Shane Barnes to The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) team as Director of Spiritual Life. In this role, Shane will provide spiritual care and guidance, along with emotional support to the residents, families and teammates at OAW.

Shane joins us with an extensive resume of pastoral care experience, including hospice care and a level one trauma center. Most recently, he worked at Grace Community Church as the Pastor of Care Ministry, serving there for the past 14 years.

Shane holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dallas Bible College, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology.

“I have spent most of my life in pastoral care, providing spiritual support through the local church and serving as a chaplain for level one trauma centers as well as hospice. I am very excited about joining the team at OAW to cultivate opportunities for spiritual growth, develop personal relationships with our residents and make connections though our unique spiritual journeys,” shared Shane.

In his free time, you might find Shane enjoying a bowl of popcorn while watching the movie, The Notebook, playing golf or taking relaxing walks with his fiancé, Ashley, and their dog, Roux. He also loves strumming on his guitar to his favorite songs by The Eagles.

Please join us in welcoming Shane to The Outlook at Windhaven and Forefront Living family!

By Amee McGough

The Outlook at Windhaven (OAW) welcomed its first residents to the Assisted Living (AL) homes of the community! Dian Koper, OAW’s inaugural AL resident, moved from her own house in Aurora, Colorado, to OAW. Dian has a passion for staying active, loves engaging in community activities and enjoys spending time with her new neighbors. Also joining the OAW family are Sharon and Steve Brenner, a devoted couple married for 59 years and looking forward to celebrating their 60^th anniversary this spring. Steve, a proud veteran, enjoys strolling the grounds with Sharon, taking time to explore every corner of the beautiful spaces. We are delighted to welcome these wonderful residents to OAW and look forward to providing them with a caring, supportive and vibrant living experience where they can truly feel at home.

By Amee McGough