Be A Believer!

It’s very hard to answer the question, “What is St. Ann Center?”

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care is a HEALTH AND WELLNESS COMMUNITY CENTER FOR ALL AGES. Yep, that’s right, a community center. A center where the community can gather for adult and child day care, respite care, aquatic center fun, outpatient rehabilitation needs, massage therapy, music therapy, ceramics and art programs! But it’s really just a big COMMUNITY CENTER.

How can one place be all these things?

It takes a lot of dedicated employees, hard working volunteers, and active community members, but it works!

St. Ann Center held its ‘Munch with the Easter Bunny’ this weekend and it turned out to be a wonderful COMMUNITY EVENT! There were games for the kids, a visit from the Easter Bunny, wonderful food and a fun filled egg hunt! St. Ann Center serves the community. Come on over and visit. The Center is open Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and the public is welcome at anytime to stop in and visit, peruse our gift shop or jump in the pool!

This is a place you have to see to believe. Come over and be a believer!

St. Ann's Bed and Breakfast?

When Eleanor heard she would be spending a few days at St. Ann Center while her son and wife had to be away on a trip, she thought maybe she was going to a nursing home. Or she secretly wondered if this wasn't the first step in that direction. She was feeling very uneasy.

So, when she stepped into St. Ann Center's respite center, with its beautiful welcome sign stating this was a "European Village" she had one surprise after another–all of them more pleasant than the next.

She found out that this was going to be a home away from home during her stay. Like a "bed and breakfast" she would have a tastefully decorated room all to herself with elegant furniture and bathroom facilities. Her room was called the "Swiss Chalet" with colors and décor to match the theme.

She would take her meals in the dining room with the others at a sit down breakfast, lunch and dinner. The tables and chairs were beautiful oak and the dishes were china. The tasty food was prepared by the center's kitchen staff, according to her dietary needs.

There also was a beautiful dayroom with rockers, sofas and chairs, with a wide screen TV and a fireplace on one wall. If she wanted to take a bath during her stay, she could have a bubble bath in the whirlpool tub – and she did!

Eleanor stayed the week and had such a great time that when it was time to go home, she felt a little sad. She had met so many nice, caring people who already felt like friends. She was looking forward to the next time her son had to take another trip!

St. Ann's respite center is open 24-7 for adults who are experiencing life's challenges from age or disabilities. More information can be fund by visiting http://www.stanncenter.org/ or calling (414) 977-5000.

How do you make lunch time special? Put a little intergenerational "flavor" in it!

At St. Ann Center for All Ages we believe that our intergenerational aspect–bringing generations together–strengthens our community, helps people feel useful, fosters friendships and makes people happy.

Laura is a special volunteer who understands this quite well. Each Wednesday she helps Dennis, an older man who must use a wheelchair. He has a permanent cast on one arm and his range of motion is limited. When its time for lunch, Laura takes Dennis to visit the Dragonfly classroom for three-year old children, and arranges for two of the children to share lunch with them. Things didn't go smoothly right away because three-year olds can be cautious but curious.

When the youngsters first met Dennis mostly what they noticed was his big wheelchair, and quietly stood back. The children asked her “What’s wrong with him? Why is he in a wheelchair?” Laura would say, “Why don’t you ask Dennis?” They began to warm up and realize that Dennis was nice and friendly so they began to ask him questions.

Now Dennis visits the Dragonfly room regularly. This has made a big difference in the children's life and his too. He used to sit alone in one spot in the atrium, and he did not interact much. Now he feels more comfortable and talks with others. He really feels more welcome at the Center especially when his little friends shout “Dennis!” when he enters their classroom. If they happen to see him in the atrium or when they are out for a walk they all yell “Hi” and give a wave to Dennis their new friend!

It gives Dennis an emotional lift and warms the heart of anyone who sees this happen.