3rd Annual Gwen T. Jackson Awards

On Thursday, August 16, 2012, the St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care's Buddy Program and the Milwaukee County Department on Aging held the 3rd Annual Gwen T. Jackson Awards hosted by Clinton & Bernice Rose Center. The Awards are named after Gwen T. Jackson - a living legend in the Milwaukee Community who is known for being a leading advocate for youth and the poor.

The Gwen T. Jackson Awards honored twenty-two area youth who volunteered at seven adult senior centers throughout the city during the summer. Among the goals of the Buddy Program is the intent to bridge the gap between generations through intergenerational activities and service projects. Youth also took part in self-improvement workshops such as job training, budget training, and worked on their social skills. The program is the vision of Sr. Edna Lonergan and is run by Rev. Tony Phillips of Blessed Deliverance M.B.C.  Cardinal Stritch University's student intern, Fiona Frimpong of Ghana, Africa also assisted.

The Benevolent Touch of St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

    At St. Ann Center one of our goals is to provide a benevolent touch for our clients. All of us here who come into daily contact with the clients and their families that we serve are trained in Benevolent Touch – a modified form of massage therapy that applies reassuring hands to anxious, fearful clients who may feel isolated.  Many clients who come to the Center live alone or in group homes and are “touch deprived.”  Often, a gentle hand on the head, shoulders, arms or hands can have a soothing, calming effect when needed to everyone who enters through the front doors. That is why all of us - from our founder Sr. Edna, to the caregivers and the administrative staff - are trained to convey love, trust, affection and warmth that will help everyone here feel that they are in a safe and loving place.

    Early in the history of St. Ann Center, Sr. Edna reflected, “Why not offer a course that promotes the kindness and compassion that this program offers to other caregivers in the community?”

    As a result, Benevolent Touch has been a unique course offered here that is taught by Sandy Anderson, one our professional massage therapists at the Center. However, the course is not offered just for professional caregivers and people in the community. It is also available, free of charge, to everyone working at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. It is one of the many ways that our programs and services are making a positive impact in the lives of the challenged and frail adults of our community.

Upcoming Benevolent Touch Workshop Dates:

♦ Thursday, September 27, 2012
♦ 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
♦ $60 (includes a Benevolent Touch manual)

Register online at:  https://www.stanncenter.org/BenevolentTouch

Discovering the Hidden Jewels of St. Ann Center

   We are so thankful for the many volunteers that we have here at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. Without their hard work and dedication, we would not be able to reach those in need of our love and care. Many of our volunteers travel out into the community to raise awareness and spread the reach of our programs and services. Others, like Sister Jeanne d'Arc Omilan, come into the Center to help with the myriad of activities and programs that we offer in-house.

   Sister Jeanne d’Arc has been volunteering for St. Ann for ­­­­14 years, and at 97 years of age, that is no small feat.  After retiring in 1991, she began her second career as a volunteer. She has been putting her time and effort towards helping organizations in the Milwaukee community extend the outreach of their missions and services.  Our center is one of the many recipients blessed by her touch. In addition to helping out with the Jewelry department here at St. Ann Center, she also volunteers with several other Sisters in a local jail outreach.

   In the Jewelry Department here at St. Ann Center, it is the careful eye and the keen attention to detail that she provides as donation intake specialist that allows valuable pieces of jewelry to not go unnoticed. And 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these donations go towards providing the much needed services to our clients who otherwise would not be able to afford them.  This includes baths, therapy, rehabilitation, and integrative counseling services.

   Without Sister Jeanne d’Arc’s faith and commitment to the mission of St. Ann Center, some of these hidden gems would go unnoticed. As she kindly says about St. Ann’s founder and President Sister Edna Lonergan, “She has the vision and we do the work.”

Franciscan Values Alive at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

Franciscan Values alive at SAC

St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care, and its mission, reflect Franciscan values in meeting the spiritual, psychological, social and physical needs of all who participate regardless of faith, culture or ability to pay.

These values are the foundation upon which the outreach of The Center has grown.

Creating a Caring Community

Respecting each person’s dignity.
Offering hospitality, kindness, and friendship.
Fostering loving relationships.

Showing Compassion

Serving and caring for the poor and oppressed.
Working for justice.
Taking responsible social action.

Reverencing All of Creation

Fostering a simple lifestyle.
Preserving the environment.
Respecting all creatures.

Making Peace

Forgiving others.
Resolving conflicts.
Promoting non-violence.

Courtesy of Sister Mary Jeanne Michels.

Posted by Nicholas Schultz

Imagine being 104 years old!

At St. Ann Center we are privileged to share some of our days with Mary Huth – who celebrated her 104^th Birthday with us on Tuesday, April 24, 2012.

Mary’s great-grand son usually brings her to St. Ann Center every other Tuesday, to have a bath in our comfortable whirlpool tub and to get her hair done in our full service hair and nail salon. She has been having her hair done by Carol in our Beauty Salon for at least the last six years. Mary’s family said, “We are lucky to be a part of your center."

Mary pictured with Carol her hair stylist

If you have the pleasure to meet Mary you would be impressed immediately.  This centenarian is full of spark and shares a beautiful smile with everyone she meets.

Of course we had to ask her “what’s the secret to a long life?”    She responded, “Laughter …and a Coke soda each day!”  We teased her about her “Coke” habit - she laughed and shared with us her glorious smile.

In an article from American Statesman Staff, Helen Anders, said Mary is among approximately 104,099 Americans, by U.S. census count, who are 100 or older. People are living longer because technological advancements and drugs cure illnesses that once ended lives. By 2050, the government projects, there will be 601,000 centenarians. A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet goes even further, suggesting that most babies born after 2000 in developed countries will live to be 100.

We are so very happy to spend such a wonderful day with Mary!  Happy Birthday Mary – Well be waiting to celebrate your 105^th with you!

Lonely Heart by Sr. Clara Styger, OSF

One day my heart felt
very lonely
like Jesus when in the
Garden of Olives
Life in a way was almost too much.
My whole being was crying out -
I longed to find peace within.

I cried out to Jesus,
"Where are You?"
Then among tears of frustration
I felt His respectful presence
around me.
No voice but eyes so pure and
filled with love,
I felt strength and became
very peaceful.
I did not feel alone any more.

Easter is a time of deep hope
A gift of our Father's Love through
His Son Jesus, our Jewish brother,
Lover and true friend.
He came to give us Life and
Show us the way.

Will I and will you truly let
Easter Peace happen in our hearts?
Burst forth in joy-filled praise
For we are the most gifted, hope-filled
Children of God.
Alleluia! Happy Easter to you.

-Sister Clara Styger, OSF

Learning about Grief

This actually sounds like it might be a really nice seminar!


Putting the pieces of your life back together may be difficult after experiencing loss. Adults who are grieving the death of a loved one weeks, months or years ago are invited to a free Seminar at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care on Saturday, February 18, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30a.m. St. Ann Center is located just off Kinnickinnic Avenue, at 2801 East Morgan Avenue. 

“Understanding Grief…Putting the Pieces of Your life Back Together” is a community outreach program to help grieving adults understand the common and unique effects of loss, the process of grief, and the journey toward healing, offering hope for the future. This gathering is for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. The goals of this seminar are to share information regarding grief and healing, to empower those gathered, and to provide them with grief support resources in the area.

Grief affects every part of our lives. During the seminar some topics of discussion will include; learning tools for how to put the pieces of your life back together, learning about how to heal, the difference between cure and heal, and many others.

For planning purposes only, pre-registration is requested (but not necessary) by calling 414-977-5000 or by e-mailing petereinl@churchandchapel.us. This free seminar is Co-Sponsored by AseraCare Hospice, Church and Chapel Funeral Homes, St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care and Synergy Home Care.