The latest news for you

Respite Community Opens in Lawrence, KS

Here we grow again! On September 1, Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging launched a new Respite Community at Grace Evangelical Church in Lawrence, Kansas. This location, led by director Michele Dillon, takes us into a new state! Yet we can also make a sweet connection back to the original FUMC Respite Ministry in Montgomery. When former participant Bettye Johnson moved to Kansas with her daughter, Rochelle, to be closer to other family members, Rochelle encouraged others to bring Respite to their new home area. She was part of the planning team making it happen.

Pat Summitt Grants Awarded to RFA Communities

The Pat Summitt Foundation has awarded three RFA-inspired, volunteer-based respite communities grants of $5,000 each to support scholarships for individuals attending their programs. RFA Executive Director Daphne Johnston was on hand for the presentations on Monday, September 18 to two Birmingham programs: CARES by Collat Jewish Family Services and Anchor Respite Ministry at Asbury United Methodist Church. An additional award was made to Abide Respite Ministry at First-Centenary UMC in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Summitt, a renowned women’s basketball coach, was diagnosed at age 64 with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Preparing a New Ministry in Atlanta

On September 12, Daphne traveled to Pleasant Word Christian Center International to train the directors of a new community opening soon in Atlanta, GA. We had a great time explaining how volunteer teams create energy in the room - and demonstrating activities that bring joy for everyone there.

Rosemary House Opening in Dothan

The Respite Care Ministry of First United Methodist Church in Dothan (AL) is opening Rosemary House in October. A dementia caregiver center located in a renovated house next to the church, Rosemary House will be open four days a week, from 9:30-4:30, to provide caregiver resources for anyone in the community (not just people involved in the respite program). Also, many Respite caregivers drive in from different parts of the Wiregrass area of the state, and it gives them a place to land while their loved ones are participating in the ministry.

Respite for All Training Conference - Feb 4-6, 2024

RFA Directors from all over our network of communities and their key volunteers will be returning to Montgomery for our annual training conference, which will be held Feb. 4-6 at First United Methodist Church.

We’re very excited that our program will feature keynote speaker Dr. Susan McFadden, who is a giant in the field of dementia and aging. Other speakers will focus on grant writing, movement, inspiration, new activity ideas, actionable information, and lots of motivation!

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.

P.O. Box 6178

Montgomery, AL 36106

Phone: 334-440-9911

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