We’ve received the Excellence in Innovation Award from the Non-Profit Center of Milwaukee!
On Thursday December 6th, St. Ann Center for
Intergenerational Care was presented with the Non Profit Spirit of Excellence Award, “Excellence
in Innovation.” The award recognizes a non-profit that is a leader in management
and operational
strategies and also has innovative applications of best
practices or new methods in a specific area as well as operating at a level of overall
excellence.
St. Ann Center embodies these qualities. There are daily
accomplishments at St. Ann Center with the activities revolving around the intergenerational day care program. They include child day services from six weeks to
five years of age, after school care, summer camp and our “Buddy Program,” in which
at risk youth are paired with adults of different ability levels. Adult
overnight respite care, outpatient rehabilitation of all levels is available. Clients
participate in a myriad of art projects, cultural activities and special events. All age levels enjoy
dancing together at Friday Sing-A-Longs with Danny and recently were delighted with a
performance by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
For the community, St. Ann Center provides various
educational and enrichment
programs. One of the most popular courses is the Benevolent
Touch Therapy
Education, teaching participants how to give gentle and
calming touches to
reassure agitated clients. Ongoing support groups for
caregivers and persons with
Parkinson’s are provided monthly, as well as various
counseling services to help
work through difficult emotions felt in situation of loss
and care giving.
St. Ann Center’s innovation lies at the heart of our
mission: to provide community-
based health and educational services for children and frail
adults and to serve as
a resource for caregivers. Our intergenerational services
have become a model and
inspiration for others locally, nationally and
internationally. Visitors have come to
the Center from the United States and other countries
including Germany, Ireland,
Israel and Japan to view a working model of
intergenerational care. After Company
President Sr. Edna Lonergan visited Cameroon, Africa a
similar program was
established there. The Center has received local, national
and international awards.
St. Ann Center is truly honored to be a recipient of this
award. We look to continue
our innovative services by establishing a new
intergenerational program in
Milwaukee’s near north side. The impact of replicating this
program would be felt
in many ways – new employment would be provided in an area
of great need and
caregivers would be able to remain employed while their
young and elderly loved
ones are well cared for. We would like to thank all those
who have made everything
St. Ann Center does possible, and hope for your continued
presence and support as
we grow to serve more people in need.
