The holidays are a time when giving is natural – almost expected. One study showed that nearly 40% of charitable giving occurs between October and December. However, at MBK Senior Living, we believe that philanthropy should be practiced all year long.

Yoi Shigoto Gives Back is MBK Senior Living's charitable giving and volunteer program. It's utilized throughout all 35 MBK communities to support society and to provide residents at all levels of care with a sense of purpose, productivity and connectivity to the greater community.

The program’s namesake is derived from a philosophy that drives everything we do at MBK Senior Living.

Yoi Shigoto is a Japanese concept that translates to "good, quality work," which we've simplified to "the good work." It's more than just doing acts of service or doing a good job. Yoi Shigoto is part of our commitment to building trust, setting high standards, developing the full potential of our team members, and contributing to society.

"It's like a pebble dropped in the lake; true good work ripples out and extends beyond oneself to make a difference to others," said Becky Price, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "At MBK, that can be in a single good act of care that impacts a resident and their family or good work that is magnified through one of our Yoi Shigoto Gives Back events."

Throughout the year, The Charleston (MBK's community in Cedar Hills, Utah) partners with Tabitha's Way – a local food pantry that helps families and individuals through tough times by providing temporary food assistance and resources for self-reliance. Together, team members, residents, and families have collected canned goods and supplies for back-to-school backpacks, baby kits, and more to benefit Tabitha's Way. However, this Christmas, the community was inspired to do more.

According to Wayne Barney, Executive Director of The Charleston, for December's Yoi Shigoto event, they wanted to do more than a generic collection of goods. The community worked with Tabitha's Way to identify a family in need and created a "giving tree" in the lobby of the building. Wish tags with everything from shoes and clothes to a gaming station were hung for individuals to select and purchase.

"While we don't know the family's name, we knew it was a family of eight and that the father has Stage 4 cancer," said Darcy Wells, Director of Wellness Programming at The Charleston.

In the spirit of Yoi Shigoto, every single wish tag was selected, and gifts were returned to the community for the family. What's more, residents, families, team members, and even community vendors who hadn't collected a tag were clamoring for more and asked how they could be of help.

"Before we knew it, we had nearly $2,000 in gift cards alone," said Barney. "Generosity spread like wildfire, and people went above and beyond to ensure this family was well provided for this Christmas."

"If shoes or an outfit was on a wish tag, many people included additional outfits and matching shoes, jackets, and accessories – and all just to bless the lives of others," added Barney. "It was incredible to witness and brought many of our team members to tears."

The Charleston is not alone in making an impact. At the company's Seven Lakes and Hacienda Del Rey memory care communities, staff find unique ways for residents to be involved, feel purposeful, and connected to the world around them.

At Seven Lakes in Loveland, Colorado, a community partner has sewn small bears that the residents stuff and supply to a local domestic abuse shelter. They have also helped to create backpacks filled with socks, gloves, food, crayons, coloring books, and other necessities for homeless families. In Litchfield Park, Arizona, at Hacienda Del Rey, the community comes together annually to support their local elementary school.

"For the last three years, we've held a community event and raffled off bikes, rollerblades, and hoverboards. All proceeds go to our neighborhood school to help with supplies and supporting teachers so they can continue to do the good work they do," said Gretchen Bechtold, Executive Director at Hacienda Del Rey.

Another way that Yoi Shigoto Gives Back is practiced in our community is through partnerships with local students and professionals to help them develop their careers.

At Hacienda Del Rey, local nursing students come to the community for hands-on experience working with seniors with dementia. At The Wellington in Salt Lake City, Utah, a Chaplain completed all his volunteer hours to prepare for a career in hospice care.

"Every good act makes a difference," said Price. "Whether it's in the lives of the people we serve, or the community around us – doing good work can have a profound effect."

Schedule a tour today to learn more about MBK Senior Living's Yoi Shigoto Gives Back program or to experience the "good work" we do in our communities. You can find a complete list of our communities throughout the Western United States here.