Providence News  October 2008

|   Michigan Retirement Communities Announce Unification

ZEELAND, MICHIGAN (October 2008)  | "Being part of the Providence family gives us access to resources that enrich and equip us to provide even better service," says Jeff Zylstra, Administrator of Royal Park Place and Royal Atrium Inn, senior living communities in Zeeland, Michigan. Royal Park Place, Royal Atrium Inn, Royal Care Home Services, and Haven Park Christian Nursing Home — all of Zeeland — have joined Emerald Meadows Assisted Living Community in Grand Rapids in announcing their newly unified identities as members of the same family of services, now known as Providence Life Services.

Until recently, Providence Life Services, based in Illinois, was known as Rest Haven Christian Services. Representatives from Providence feel their new name more accurately reflects the types of services they now offer.

"We're excited about our new identity," says Lynn Blondin, Director of Providence at Home, the homecare service provider formerly known as Royal Care Home Services. "It unites us and gives us a way to talk about the entire range of services available from the Providence family."

The Providence family of services includes these entities in Michigan:

• Providence Healthcare & Rehabilitation (formerly known as Haven Park, in Zeeland)
• Providence at Home (formerly known as Royal Care Home Services, based in Zeeland)
• Royal Park Place (a Retirement Living community in Zeeland)
• Royal Atrium Inn (an Assisted Living community in Zeeland)
• Emerald Meadows (an Assisted Living community in Grand Rapids)

The Zeeland campuses hold a "Harvest for Haven" gathering every year at which staff and constituents celebrate God's blessings on their ministry. This year's gathering will also be a celebration of their transformation into Providence Life Services. "We've planned a special presentation that will show how a change like this is actually a fulfillment of our history, the next logical step in becoming all that God has called us to be," says Kelly Adler, Administrator of the skilled nursing campus formerly known as Haven Park.

The ministry presentation is not intended to be an "unveiling" of the new name and logo, but rather the culmination of a series of communications to various publics and constituents that began in August. "By October 25, the date of our event," says Jeff, "most people will have already heard that we are now part of Providence Life Services. But this gathering gives us an opportunity to (1) reveal how we arrived at the new name, (2) explain the significance of our new logo, and (3) reassure people that we are holding firm to our heritage."

Perhaps the greatest advantage will be felt by Emerald Meadows, an Assisted Living community that has long been affiliated with the others, but because of its location in Grand Rapids has been further removed from the "family." "Being part of Providence Life Services," says Kathy Higgins, Administrator, "will really help draw us together and allow us to serve more people. And that's really what it's all about."