Celebrating New Communities and New States

RFA’s signature balloon volleyball game reached Enumclaw, WA, when Rainier Respite Program opened on September 6 at Calvary Presbyterian Church! The soft launch began with one friend and a slew of volunteers, and as director Lynne Snyder said, they are enjoying themselves immensely. Local press coverage is helping them spread the word about the new ministry, and they are excited about growing.

This month, RFA also welcomed the opening of new communities in Hilliard, OH, and Nellysford, VA, and over the next few weeks, we’ll celebrate the opening of new communities in Middletown, DE; McDonough, GA; Rock Hill, SC; Madisonville, KY; Vestavia Hills, AL; Viroqua, WI; Eau Claire, WI; and Pensacola, FL. Plus, eight more are in the planning stages for early 2025 launches! 

RFA Documentary Underway

Respite for All began filming a documentary this month, thanks to a production team known as TaleGate that focuses on telling the stories of seniors. The company’s chief storyteller, Jack York, is a pioneer in the field of technology and aging. He is co-founder of It’s Never 2 Late (iN2L), a company dedicated to helping older adults realize the full benefits of engagement technology, and over the last 20+ years, iN2L has evolved into a national leader with over 4000 communities in the US and Canada utilizing the technology. In 2022, Jack launched TaleGate, a company that integrates on site celebrations at senior living communities with the ability to capture life stories. His work has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal, NPR, and dozens of senior living publications. The TaleGate crew filmed on site at FUMC-Montgomery, as well as three RFA communities in Birmingham, and another in Chapel Hill, NC.

Packing Out RFA's Brain Science Luncheon

We are expecting a packed house on October 22 to hear Dan Buettner Jr., Blue Zones Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, and we are so thankful to our sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor Baptist Health, and dozens of other table hosts who have made their plans to join us. It’s exciting to receive so much enthusiasm from our local community and beyond about learning best practices for brain health while supporting Respite for All’s mission. 

OMA Art Workshop for RFA Communities

On September 30, RFA directors and key volunteers from seven states will be in Montgomery for a dementia-focused art workshop led by Opening Minds through Art (OMA). OMA is an award-winning, evidence-based, intergenerational art-making program for people living with dementia that was developed at Scripps Gerontology Center, an Ohio Center of Excellence at Miami University. This workshop is offered for free, thanks to a grant OMA received. We appreciate Church of the Ascension for serving as host. 

The mission of the Respite for All Foundation is to inspire, grow, and mentor Respite Volunteer Ministries for communities seeking to minister to persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia disorders through education and shared best practices. Visit RespiteforAll.org to learn more.