At times it seems there are as many children and young people at Victorian Village (Grand Victorian, Victorian Inn and Victorian Courts) as seniors! Throughout the past 10 years the Homer Glen, Illinois, Retirement and Assisted Living campus has offered creative opportunities for generations to interact with each other. Easter egg hunts on the campus lawns, a "senior" prom with local high school students, and Memory Bridge activities with junior members of the Rotary Club are just a few of the most popular. "We've seen the blessings of being involved with the greater community, which is one of our core values," says Rick Molenhouse, Community Manager. "But besides that, it's just a lot of fun!"

At Emerald Meadows, our Assisted Living campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the focus is often on family and food as staff go beyond the call, making ordinary moments extra-ordinary. From Dessert Fairs that feature old family recipes, to Chocolate Indulgence events that showcase one-of-a-kind chocolate sculptures, Emerald Meadows has found ways to make life sweet for residents and family members.

Saratoga Grove, our Retirement and Assisted Living campus in Downers Grove, Illinois, has chosen to celebrate their 20th year of Christian service in Downers Grove with a series of festive events and special offers. A ribbon cutting ceremony (see photos), an ice cream social (see photos), and a visit by Tracy Butler, Channel 7 meteorologist, have given the community plenty of opportunities to glimpse what a Providence life looks like at Saratoga Grove.

At these three campuses — and everywhere we serve — we praise God for the years he has given the ministry of Providence, and the generous opportunities to fulfill our calling to help people live abundant lives!

When Harry Boerman’s mother moved to Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation of Downers Grove, he visited her each Sunday. In fact, he organized a group of fellow church members — all men who love to sing — and they began a tradition of Sunday sing-alongs that all the residents could enjoy. That was 1989. Today, 20 years later, the Providence Singers continue to share old hymns in four-part harmony, and the residents continue to sing along. "People really enjoy it," says Harry, who plays piano. "And the families appreciate it too. It's something nice that families can do together." The men sing every Sunday except holidays, and when Harry needs a break from the ivories, Ruth Hopp or Sarah DeVries is happy to sub for him. "These people are a beautiful example of what it means to be part of the Providence family," says Jackie Terpstra, Administrator. "They are such a blessing!"

Every person that's a part of Providence has a story—crafted by time, multi-faceted, and beautiful. Each living gem shines brightly when we take the time to hear their story. Jennie Van Der Aa is a perfect example.

She remembers when South Holland, Illinois, was nothing but onion fields and horse-drawn wagons, a newly-formed village whose population hovered around 1,000 people. She shopped at Walt's when it was just a fruit and vegetable stand. She obeyed the "Blue Laws" against commerce on Sundays. Jennie Van Der Aa remembers the invention of the automobile, electric lights, and the telephone — and through it all, she's remained a South Holland citizen for 95 of her 105 years.

At the age of 90 she was still driving — mainly because her lady friends needed someone who still had a license to chauffeur them around! But at 92 she decided to turn in her keys and give up the car. Five years later she gave up housework too, when her family hired a caregiver to come in once or twice a week to help out. Finally at the age of 103, she made the move to Providence, where this past January more than 80 people gathered to wish her a Happy 105th Birthday.

"It has been an honor and privilege getting to know Jennie and her family," says Michelle Lagestee, one of the Providence nursing staff in South Holland, pictured above. "She is an excellent example of the great lives we get to serve."

As someone who has personally witnessed God's providence for more than 100 years, Jennie distills her wisdom into this simple advice: "Eat good food. Get your sleep. Trust the Lord." What a gem! We're honored to be a part of Jennie's life and beautiful story.

Providence offers a wide variety of services, all targeted at enhancing the day-to-day lives of our clients. "We're trying to keep people as independent as possible for as long as possible," says Jeff Zylstra, Community Manager at Royal Park Place, our Retirement Living community in Zeeland, Michigan. Jeff knows that mental fitness is as important as physical fitness in maintaining independence. So as a counterpart to the SeniorFITness workouts available at Royal Park Place, he also offers BrainFitness, a new program of "brain games" for seniors. The games make learning fun, and participants look forward to their workouts.

More than 125 different brain games are currently available. To experience a sampling, visit www.dakim.com.

We're always looking for new opportunities to partner with communities to provide exceptional care. The new Park Place of Elmhurst will be just such a place, and interest is growing even before construction is completed.

"Interest is high, and activity is brisk," says Ray Hemphill, Providence's Vice President of Project Development, about the new campus being planned for Elmhurst, Illinois. "In April alone, we confirmed eight reservations. People are just very interested in the values and lifestyle Providence represents. Not only do they want to be part of a Christian-sponsored community, they also appreciate the broader community that surrounds this location." Park Place of Elmhurst is situated next to a new, state-of-the-art hospital and highly regarded Christian schools, in a suburb acknowledged as one of the best in the nation. Cultural activities, abundant parks, and opportunities for community involvement make Elmhurst an attractive place to retire.

To learn more about the "Providence Life" available at Park Place of Elmhurst, or to see a model condominium, contact the Information Center at 630.333.4343 or visit www.ParkPlaceElmhurst.com.

At Providence, we set a high standard for our staff, expecting them to be highly qualified, delivering expert care in their specific area of focus. One of the ways we honor staff who best exemplify the Providence spirit is with a yearly "Hallmark of Caring" event. Staff from each campus are nominated by co-workers, residents, or families. Winners enjoy a day-long retreat that includes motivational sessions, an elegant lunch, and prizes and keepsakes.

The Providence Research & Education Institute organizes and hosts the event each year. This spring they were invited to share the program through a presentation at the Life Services Network conference. The conference is attended by non-profits throughout Illinois who belong to the Life Services Network.

"Everyone who attends Hallmark of Caring is powerfully blessed," says Linda Schutt, Director. "When LSN invited us to share, we were happy for the opportunity to give other organizations some tools and ideas for blessing their employees too."

You might think Mark Trnka's 30 years of experience in the food industry is what most qualifies him to lead Providence's dining services. But it's simpler than that. "I love to eat!" he laughs. And he wants other people to love it, too. By hiring Mark and bringing dining operations back in-house, Providence has empowered staff at each location with the flexibility they need to make each meal an extra, ordinary experience. "It's another way for us to live that promise to be 'With You, for You,'" says Mark. "We can listen and respond and make decisions that enhance life at all our campuses. I'm happy to be a part of that."

Considering a Providence campus?
Mark welcomes you to experience a typical meal before you decide. Contact any Retirement or Assisted Living campus and ask about our "Free Lunch" offer!