News

Sunrise Skilled Nursing & Rehab Builds Unique Staff Assistance Fund to Support Employees with Immediate, Unforeseen Financial Needs

Skilled Nursing Facility Established Fund; Will Match Employee Donations Through December 31

Dec 27, 2022

Employees in immediate financial need at Sunrise Skilled Nursing & Rehab can now get economic help to tide them over during difficult times, courtesy of the facility's employee assistance fund.

The unique fund, which is set up as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is administered for the skilled nursing facility by a third party, the Emergency Assistance Foundation (EAF). Employees can apply for financial grants - which may range from $500 to $2,500 - to help meet expenses for unforeseen disaster or personal hardship.

The applications and awards are handled directly by EAF, without the facility knowing who was awarded grants or their purpose, to maintain strict confidentially. To date, more than $75,000 has been donated in employee assistance grants.

Patty Barnes, Sunrise Skilled Nursing & Rehab CEO/Administrator, said the facility wanted to create a benefit for its staff that reflects part of its mission - treating employees as family - and can help staff in their times of need. “There are many reasons extra money may be needed, whether to deal with natural disasters, accidents, epidemics, illness, domestic abuse, or a death in the family,” she said.

“In this season of giving, Sunrise is grateful not only to donate money to launch this fund but also to match employee donations dollar-for-dollar until the end of the year,” Barnes said. “Employees are encouraged to donate to the fund - in addition to our organizational contributions - to potentially help their colleagues, providing even more impact.”

Barnes said this fund is another way Sunrise fulfills its mission. “While our commitment is to provide genuine hometown care while becoming a vital partner in the community, none of that can be accomplished without ensuring the health, safety, and happiness of our valued teammates,” she added.