Dear CLC/Cappella Family,

The mass shooting that occurred over the weekend in Colorado Springs is heartbreaking in every way. We’ve heard from team members who have lost friends in the shooting or know someone injured. Please hold these team members close in your thoughts and prayers; this is a tough time.

This type of senseless violence is so very difficult especially when, as investigators believe, the shooting was targeting a particular group of people – in this case LGBTQ individuals.

In times like this, I look to the wise counsel of those who came before us. Today I look to Reverend Martin Luther King, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

As we each process this tragedy within our family and community, we encourage you to seek the support you need. Our Human Resources team has provided some information from our Employee Assistance Program.

Here are a few more resources from the Tri-County Health Department.

• Managing your distress in the aftermath of a shooting
• Supporting Employee Mental Health After a Mass Shooting
• Helping Children Manage Distress in the Aftermath of a Shooting
• Colorado Springs Club Q shooting: Where to Find Resources and How to Help

I ask each of us to extend grace to those struggling and to continue to set an example as Dr. King calls us to do. Let’s continue to be a source of light and love in this moment of darkness.

With sincerest concern and hope for our Colorado community,

Jill Vitale-Aussem
President & CEO

About the Author

Jill Vitale-Aussem serves as President & CEO of Christian Living Communities, a Colorado-based, not-for-profit, faith-based organization serving more than 3,000 older adults and their families through its 23 owned and managed communities located in six states as well as its services of adult day, home care and consulting. Jill has over twenty years of experience leading nursing homes, assisted living and life plan communities. Prior to joining Christian Living Communities, she served as President and CEO of The Eden Alternative, an international non-profit organization focused on creating quality of life for older people and their care partners. She is a licensed nursing home administrator and a Reframing Aging facilitator.