Bluestem Communities has announced Kevin Wilder as the new Director of Fund Advancement at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. An established part of the greater Hesston community, Wilder began his role on January 10th.
“We are pleased to welcome Kevin to the Bluestem Communities team and the Schowalter Villa campus,” said Derek Yoder, Bluestem Communities Vice President of Fund Advancement. “Kevin’s gift of relationship building will be a great asset to the team as we continue to connect and share the Schowalter Villa story with the community.”
As Director of Fund Advancement for Schowalter Villa, Wilder is responsible for developing donor relationships, directing special events and coordinating strategies that support the Good Samaritan Caring Fund, a benevolent fund to assist residents who are unable to cover the full cost of their care.
Wilder is serving in a part-time role for the first few months while he continues with an interim pastor assignment at Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston. Other professional experiences include more than two decades at Hesston College as campus pastor and a psychology and Bible professor, and about 10 years as youth pastor at Grace Community Church in Newton.
During his time as a psychology professor, Wilder facilitated college students interviewing Schowalter Villa residents as a learning experience, and notes it as one of the hallmarks of his classes.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with even more folks at Bluestem and being an advocate for residents by sharing about the care and connections that happen here,” Wilder said.
Bluestem Communities is a nonprofit organization in central Kansas made up of several retirement communities and programs dedicated to serving those 55 and better. For more information, visit bluestemks.org.
