A Visit to the Respite Center

There are so many different units and services here at St. Ann Center that if you were walking in for the first time, you probably wouldn’t know where to begin. One of them, the respite center, is a place where people can bring their loved ones, usually frail from age or challenged with a disability, when they need someone to care for them for a while. Stays are no longer than 20 days. The respite area has 9 rooms, each with distinctive décor and cultural theme. Guests may stay in the Irish room or the Polish room, for example. Guests are invited to "feel at home" during their stay, and are treated like family. A departing guest recently remarked, "I loved my stay and can't wait to return!"

Marian, one of the respite staff, said “St Ann's is a wonderful place to work. This job is a blessing to have, for more reasons than one. I was able to bring my daughter to work when she could not be in childcare. When my car was snowed in and they were able to come get me. The spirit is wonderful here.”

Now, if you can name a place where not only the service is excellent, but the people providing that service genuinely enjoy being there, then I'll be happy to say that I was wrong when I thought “there's no community in the world like St. Ann Center!”
Written by Darrell Garrett (Cardinal Stritch College)

Emma & Emil

Everyday generation gaps are bridged at St. Ann Center, but do we really know how it happens? I sat back to watch and see for myself how this intergenerational concept works. The other day I watched a group of Shepherd House visitors, battling with memory loss, who come to visit with the daycare children every Monday and Tuesday.

Inside the Dragonfly room of the child care unit, the laughter is plentiful and the painting is Picasso-esque when these two very different groups get together for art. Emma, a wise and intelligent 3 year old, and Emil, a quiet, reserved elderly gentleman were making Halloween masks and enjoying every minute of their time together.

Emma poked away at her purple, pumpkin-shaped construction paper as Emil did the same. When I asked if he enjoyed the time spent with the children he replied, "I wish we could come here everyday!" It's amazing that yarn and paint can be the catalyst for so much happiness.
Written by: Darrell Garrett, intern from Cardinal Stritch