In the Vortex of Life: A Tale of Dedication and Community

Briana and Donielle

Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Briana Sturm and Donielle Mewhorter, two dedicated leaders from Benedictine Living Community Regina.

In the crucible of human endeavor, amidst the flux of days, there exist some who are called to serve, to bind the threads of community, to hold aloft the lantern in the labyrinth of life's twilight years. Among such souls, we find Briana Sturm and Donielle Mewhorter, stalwart sentinels of Benedictine Living Community Regina, a senior living institution nestled in the heart of Hastings, Minnesota.

Briana Sturm, the Executive Director, is a seasoned helmswoman, her hands firm on the tiller of senior care for over a decade. Her journey has been one of purpose, a voyage across the seas of service, from a Nursing Home Administrator at Care Initiatives, to an Executive Director role at Ecumen, to her current harbor at Benedictine​​.

Donielle Mewhorter, the Housing Manager, navigates the daily currents alongside Briana. Together, they charter a course of compassion, offering a spectrum of care - from assisted to independent living and memory care services. It is a lighthouse for seniors in the storm, a sanctuary where the weary can find respite and belonging.

Their recent journey led them to the first annual Hastings Senior Expo, a confluence of community and care. They were there not merely as representatives, but as integral threads of the community's fabric. "We want to be a resource for community members and the town and want them to know all the services that we offer," Briana shared, her words echoing the ethos of Benedictine.

Donielle, too, spoke of the symbiotic relationship between the community and their institution. Volunteering, she suggested, was a conduit for connection, a way to weave oneself into the tapestry of shared existence. From filling bird feeders to aiding residents in ventures into the world beyond their home, every act is a stitch in the quilt of community.

A particular initiative that exemplifies this interweaving of lives is their partnership with Cycling Without Age. This program paints a vivid tableau of shared experiences, as volunteers escort residents on cycling ventures, linking the chapters of different lives through shared moments under the open sky.

The narrative of Briana and Donielle serves as a poignant reminder of the power of service, the strength of community, and the indomitable spirit of those who choose to light the way for others. If you find yourself in Hastings, consider joining this tale. Take up the thread and add your own color to the vibrant tapestry of Benedictine Living Community Regina.

Briana and Donielle, your story is a testament to dedication and a chronicle of community. May your narrative continue to inspire, to illuminate, and to bind us all in the shared story of human endeavor.

In the grand tale of life, we are all authors. Let us, inspired by Briana and Donielle, strive to write chapters of compassion, connection, and community.