Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay named one of WeCare Connect’s Best Places to Work
October, 2025
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay is proud to be recognized as We Care Connect’s “Best Places to Work” in 2025
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay earned this award by meeting — and/or exceeding — key benchmarks in employee engagement, satisfaction, and advocacy.
What this award means about our team:
- High participation rates reflect a team with a desire to take part & to be involved.
- Strong satisfaction scores point to employees who feel appreciated, valued and fulfilled.
- High advocacy scores show pride, purpose, and loyalty to WCBay.
Why does this matter? Because happy, engaged employees create exceptional experiences — and for our residents, exceptional experiences & top-tier care is our priority. When our team feels appreciated, that same energy is passed on, making WCBay a leader in Senior Living as well.
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay was recognized as Senior Care’s Best Place to Work Award from WeCare Connect. This is a significant honor—only 160 of their 1200 senior living accounts are eligible, and only 24% received this recognition in 2025. This recognition is among the top senior care facilities in the US and Canada
- WeCare Connect – Industry leader in senior care, health care and human services surveys.
- Founded in 2012 as part of Wellspring Lutheran Services, giving us unique insight and focus on healthcare and seniors. Word quickly spread about the success of our solution and we rapidly expanded to meet this interest and now serve clients across the U.S. and Canada.
- 1,300+ locations in 35 states and Canada, serving over 200+ clients, 200,000 employees
- Works with organizations of all types and sizes
To qualify for consideration, each company must utilize WeCare Connect’s full solution, including New Hire Surveys, Exit Surveys, and Engagement Surveys.
The metrics for qualification are:
- A participation rate of 50% or higher.
- A Job Satisfaction score of 50% or higher.
- An Employee Advocate score of 50% or higher.
- All notification resolutions must be up to date.
Each account is reviewed based on these scoring criteria.
Virginia Beach Is One of the Best Places to Live in the U.S. for Quality of Life, Affordability, and Health Care
September 25, 2024 – Living next to the beach in Virginia Beach offers numerous health benefits, including increased physical activity, reduced stress, and improved mental health. The city, home to nearly 460,000 residents, has been ranked eighth in the U. S. News ranking of 150 urban communities with the best quality of life, education, economic prospects, affordability, and health care. Despite its resort city status, Virginia Beach is known for its friendly residents and relaxed atmosphere, making it an attractive place to live. The city’s rich history dates back to Indigenous tribes and English settlers in the 17th century. Compared to other coastal communities, Virginia Beach remains more affordable, with a median home value of $358,477 and median monthly rent of $1,804. It is considered a desirable place to live and a popular vacation destination, welcoming over 13 million visitors in 2022. Virginia Beach, along with Naples, Florida, is one of the top coastal communities in the U. S. News ranking of the best places to live in the country.
For more information, check out Travel & Leisure’s Article https://www.travelandleisure.com/virginia-beach-among-best-places-to-live-in-america-2024-8703237
Virginian Pilot highlights WC Team member in their recent Prime Time Section
September 19, 2024 – Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay was proud to be featured in the Virginian Pilot’s recent Prime Time Section on Sunday, September 8th. Check out the link below to read Westminster-Canterbury’s own, Jennifer Cava’s, featured article. Jennifer shares insights on Ways to Enhance the Joy of Family Members with Dementia. The full article can be found on page 4 of the link below.
Westminster-Canterbury Hosts Meal Packing Event in Collaboration with
Rise Against Hunger
May 20, 2024 – Westminster Canterbury Hosts Meal Packing Event in Collaboration with
Rise Against Hunger – Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzn2M1UXNjM to watch the highlight reel from this wonderful event!
Westminster Canterbury is proud to announce its continued partnership with the international hunger relief organization Rise Against Hunger.
60-plus WC resident and team member volunteers aim to pack an impressive 10,000 meals in two hours. This initiative presents a unique opportunity for volunteers to contribute hands-on towards addressing the global issue of hunger. Participants will be organized into assembly lines, working collectively to assemble meal kits from raw ingredients to boxed, ready-to-ship packages.
This marks the fourth occasion in recent years that Westminster-Canterbury
has hosted such an event, indicating its popularity and commitment to making a positive impact.
“We are thrilled to once again partner with Rise Against Hunger for this important event,” said Rev. Jenny Spivey, Senior Chaplain at Westminster Canterbury. “This is an excellent opportunity for our community to come together and contribute to alleviating hunger on a global scale.”
Newsweek Magazine Named Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay best Continuing Care Retirement Community in Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sandra Parker
Phone: (757) 650-7233
Email: [email protected]
Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay named best Continuing Care Retirement Community in Virginia by Newsweek Magazine and 27th in the Nation of 2000 Life Plan Communities
Virginia Beach, VA – February 12, 2024 – For the first time, Newsweek, with help from the respected global research firm Statista, has ranked Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs). Westminster-Cantebrury on Chesapeake Bay was ranked #1 in Virginia and #27 in the nation. According to Newsweek, there are approximately 2,000 such communities in the nation.
This prestigious recognition is based on independent survey response data from medical professionals and staff working in CCRCs, current community residents, and their acquaintances, as well as consideration of relevant accreditations.
J. Benjamin Unkle, Jr., President & CEO of Westminster-Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay, said: “Everyone knows we are growing to serve an exploding number of older adults as the baby boomers retire and that we are using $2.6M of charitable funds to serve a greater span of income/wealth levels as economic disparity grows. But, what people could not know until now is that the best CCRC in the state and among the best in the nation is one of our own hometown CCRCs, Westminster-Canterbury. Excellence requires discipline and high expectations. We hire quality people and insist upon preeminent service and results. We appreciate and applaud our leaders and teammates who make the standout difference every day that Newsweek discovered.” https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-best-continuing-care-retirement-communities-2024
Big Stone Gap Foster Grandparents Program Fights Social Isolation With Technology
At Westminster-Canterbury, residents can often be seen on their Birdsong tablets video chatting with family and friends, especially during this holiday season. They also love to use it to explore new countries, play brain games and so much more. We were excited to see how the Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ Foster Grandparent program in Big Stone Gap, Virginia uses the Birdsong tablet to keep their older adult clients virtually connected, which helps to combat social isolation and loneliness while building their confidence to use technology.
WC’s Nov. 20th Festival of Trees Featured on WTKR’s Festival of Trees
Westminster-Canterbury Vice President of Marketing and Development Ashley Allman was on Coast Live today to speak about the WC Foundation’s November 20th Festival of Trees: The Magic of Giving event. Thank you Coast Live Co-host Cheryl Nelson for helping us promote this fun and fabulous event that benefits the Foundation’s many important programs for our residents and staff.
Westminster-Canterbury Featured on the Hampton Roads Show’s Senior Living Special
Check out Senior Sales Counselor Ellen Duckworth’ recent appearance on The Hampton Roads Show’s Senior Living Special on WAVY-TV10. She shared why Westminster-Canterbury is the perfect place for active aging in a resort-style community. Hear more about what Ellen has to say by watching the video!
F&J Super Summer Sale featured on WTKR’s Coast Live Show
Thank you to April Woodard of Coast Live for helping us spread the word about our 35th Annual F&J Super Summer Sale on August 12-14 at a NEW location — 1969 Woodside Drive. Watch the video for more details, including some of the treasures at affordable prices that are at the sale.
Hundreds of Treasure Hunters Vie For Finds at the WC Flotsam and Jetsam Super Summer Sale – August 12-14
Westminster-Canterbury has brought back the Flotsam and Jetsam Super Summer Sale after a two-year hiatus! This benefit offers thousands of high-end and distinctive items at bargain prices, including men’s and women’s clothing, fine dishes and china, tableware and glassware, small appliances, jewelry, antiques, books and more. The F&J Super Summer Sale takes place from 10-a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 12, and Friday, August 13, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 14, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 1969 Woodside Lane in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Look for more information on our Facebook Page or call the F&J hotline at (757) 217-2355.
Tidewater Arts Outreach ‘Once More’ Concert — Singersong Writer Will Overman and His Inspiration, Emily Filer
The Tidewater Arts Outreach “Once More” Concert matches singer-songwriters with individuals who serve as an inspiration for a song. It was an honor to serve as the Presenting Sponsor of this year’s Concert and the “Instruments of Change” Auction. This excerpt from the concert showcases Will Overman, his song, “When the Crocus Bloom,” along with his inspiration, Emily Filer. Thank you TAO for bringing the live arts to so many who do not have access to them.
