History of Rest Haven - Providence Life Services - 1970 - 1980 a Story of Providence

During an era of nationwide shortage and limitations, Providence was growing and expanding. Throughout the decade, not only did we expand our existing services into new locations, but we also expanded the types of services we were able to offer. We broke ground in 1971 for a larger Holland Home retirement community. We broke ground again in 1975 to open Rest Haven South in South Holland, Illinois. Both were completely full – with a waiting list – from the day they opened. In fact, there was also a waiting list of people who wanted to work at Rest Haven or Holland Home, indicating the earnest interest in personal involvement with this exciting new ministry.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE 1970 Torchlight – More than 1,000 people gathered to support this ministry at the tenth-anniversary Torchlight. This is the first year "How Great Thou Art" was sung as the closing song.

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Church and community members gather for the groundbreaking for the new Holland Home in South Holland, Illinois, which would double the number of people to whom we could offer retirement living.

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In a January 1972 newsletter, Richard Mulder reported on the progress of the new Holland Home, "Because of your continued faithfulness and warm generosity, hope is perpetuated. Gifts received through Wills, Memorials, Churches, Auxiliary, Torchlight, and general mailings have made it possible for us to continue with needed expansion and meet our debt retirement schedule." By early 1973, the new Holland Home was not only constructed, it was full.

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The newly completed Holland Home provided 311 retirement apartments on a spacious lawn in South Holland, Illinois.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE Jacob Schuringa and Clarence Builthuis were featured in a Shopper article about the new Holland Home. The newly completed Holland Home provided 311 retirement apartments.

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Under cloudy November skies, the threat of rain, and a brisk wind, members of the Rest Haven family gathered to break ground for a new healthcare community. Board Chairman Peter Vanderploeg explained, "The extensive waiting lists at Rest Haven and the Holland Home cannot be ignored. These lists represent urgent needs, human needs, people who have been created in the image of God, our fathers and mothers, and they deserve our maximum respect and dignity." Two years later, Rest Haven South opened its doors to meet those urgent, human needs with quality, Christian care.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE 1975 – Groundbreaking for Rest Haven South in South Holland, Illinois. We began serving people from this location in 1977.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE 1976 – Richard Mulder confers with his leadership team (from left: Peter Schurman, Palos Heights, Richard Schutt, South Holland, Richard Mulder; and Harold Ridderhoff, Holland Home.) In 1976, the Rest Have South Building was finally completed.

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By 1978, Richard Mulder had been leading the ministry for 20 years, in partnership with the church women who had originally formed the Rest Haven Auxiliary. These women expressed their appreciation for Mr. Mulder in special ways in honor of his anniversary.

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE The Women's Auxiliary surprises Rich Mulder by re-naming the Rest Haven chapel Mulder Chapel in honor of his 20 years of passionate leadership.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE The Women's Auxiliary celebrates 20 years of enhancing life for Rest Haven residents by involving the community in creative fundraising events.

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