The latest news for you

Greenville, SC, Respite Ministry Prepares for Launch

Our executive director, Daphne Johnston, traveled to Greenville, SC, at the end of February to train 25 new volunteers who are eagerly anticipating the opening of Side by Side Respite Ministry at John Knox Presbyterian Church. Side by Side in Greenville is both the first RFA-inspired respite ministry in South Carolina and the first in the Presbyterian denomination.

The March 2024 opening is the culmination of a long and faithful process of a committed faith community. It all began in 2017 when member Jeanne Peak’s mother Doris Jean was participating in the Respite Ministry at First United Methodist in Montgomery. Jeanne, a retired media specialist with Greenville County Schools, wanted to see this ministry in her city and got the ball rolling. COVID interrupted planning, but they’re ready to go now, and we can’t wait to see the growth of respite in this community and state!

New Ministries Now Open

We were so glad to see that Vitality Respite Community at St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Brandon, FL, had a successful opening this month. Living Spirit Respite Ministry at First English Lutheran Church – the first RFA-inspired ministry in Wisconsin and the first in the Lutheran denomination also opened earlier this year!

5th Annual Training Conference Is Great Success

In early February, nearly 150 attendees representing RFA respite ministries from around the country, plus 30 local volunteers from FUMC Montgomery, filled the FUMC Fellowship Hall prepared to learn and to be inspired. We heard from giants in the fields of dementia connection, including Dr. Susan McFadden, Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon, and Donna Newman Bluestein, as well as local directors who offered their own insights into art, activities, movement, caregiving and more.

Directors also learned at the annual conference that Dr. Lokon, founder of Opening Minds through Art, and Respite for All have received a $40,000 grant to lead a session for RFA directors and a key volunteer in early fall. Details are currently being finalized for a workshop that will provide an overview on how to support the creative expression of people living with dementia and build stronger connections with volunteers.

Community Caregiver Luncheon in Birmingham

Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified Geropsychologist & founder of Dementia Careblazers, is appearing in Alabama for the first time on March 19, through a special community luncheon hosted by Founders Place Respite and held at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church. To get the details and register for the luncheon, click here.

Respite for All Featured in AARP Report

The Respite for All Foundation was prominently featured in the AARP’s January 2024 publication, “Respite Services: A Critical Support for Family Caregivers.” Our volunteer-based social model has expanded, to date, to 35 locations in 11 states, with more in the planning and launching stages this year. The AARP article said 16, but we reached out to let them know how much more we’ve grown. You can read the report here. The parts about RFA and the Respite Community at FUMC Montgomery begin on page 10.

Save the Date - October 22

Plans are underway for Respite for All's 3rd Annual Brain Science Luncheon, so mark your calendar for Tues., October 22. More details to come!

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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