Social workers research, refer and advocate for community resources to improve residents’ wellbeing. Since Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant opened in 2016, social workers from our sister community, Carroll Lutheran Village, supported our independent living residents’ social work needs.

That changed in September 2021, when we hired Micheala Lauterbach to become LVMG’s on-site social worker for independent living residents. Lauterbach, a licensed bachelor of social work, is no stranger to CLV. While working towards her bachelor’s degree in social work at Hood College, she interned in CLV’s social work department, where her excellent performance paved the way to her current position.

Now, she helps LVMG’s independent living residents when they need additional help in their homes, extra support during challenging times and transitioning to a greater level of care. She checks in with residents weekly and frequently discusses issues and provides updates with families and interdisciplinary teams.

“I enjoy getting to know each resident more deeply. I love spending time with them and hearing their backstories,” said Lauterbach, and the residents feel she’s a positive addition to LVMG’s team.

In middle school, Lauterbach knew she wanted to work with older adults and attributes her interest to the special bond she shares with her grandmother. Her interest in social work began when she took a social work class during her sophomore year in college and fell in love.

Lauterbach plans to get a master’s degree in social work to become a licensed clinical social worker. After which, she just might fulfill her long-term goal at LVMG of becoming a director of social work.