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Stories from St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

Now Enrolling: St. Ann Center Adult & Child Day Care

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St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee is now enrolling, with day care openings for both children and adults. The world-renowned intergenerational care center is among the first in the nation to provide day services for children, frail elders and adults with disabilities, all under one welcoming roof.

“During this time of pandemic, we have all experienced the feeling of being isolated and alone,” said Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center founder and president. “Here, people can spend their day in a homelike setting. Meanwhile, their parents and caregivers can go to work or get a needed break.”

Both of St. Ann Center’s two campuses have openings for adults and children, at the Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave. and the Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave. To address the pandemic, St. Ann Center implements strict safety guidelines, including health checks upon entry, wearing of masks and other PPE, social distancing and regular sanitizing of the facility. “The health and safety of our children and adults is our priority,” Lonergan said. “At a time when many other day cares are closed, it’s vital that our doors remain open to families that need us.”

Both campuses have installed a building-wide air filtration system designed to render viruses such as COVID-19 and other pathogens harmless.

St. Ann Center, named a Program of Distinction by the National Adult Day Services Association, serves adults of all ages, including those experiencing Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

Adult services include recreational activities, whirlpool bathing, music therapy, arts and crafts, exercise, nursing care and nutritious meals and snacks. St. Ann Center also provides overnight respite, with bed-and-breakfast style rooms and around-the-clock care, allowing caregivers a break from the demands of caregiving—time for a vacation, business trip or weekend getaway.

St. Ann Center provides award-winning early childhood education and day care for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to school-age. This includes an after-school program and supervised remote learning for students attending elementary school classes virtually. Swimming lessons are also offered in the center’s warm-water, wheelchair-accessible pools.

Financial assistance is available for clients enrolling in St. Ann Center. For more information, and to schedule a tour, contact the Stein Campus at 414-977-5000, and the Bucyrus Campus at 414-210-2450.

 

St. Ann Center Thanksgiving Makes Room for Gratitude

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There was gratitude in abundance at St. Ann Center when the clients and staff got together in the spacious Atrium for a Thanksgiving Eve celebration. Deacon Pat LaPointe from Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, a neighbor to the Stein Campus, started things off with a special blessing. Then Hannah Goodness, St. Ann Center’s music therapist, got everyone into the holiday spirit with some Thanksgiving-themed songs.

And what would this holiday be without plenty of food…for thought. Chaplain Rodican Rose Bonn, Becca Felden of the Marketing team and Hannah shared a heaping helping of Thanksgiving stories, jokes and fun facts that gave the clients plenty of dinner table conversation for tomorrow.

Did you know…

  • Americans make 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving every year
  • An adult turkey has about 5,500 feathers
  • A wild turkey can run up to 25 m.p.h. and its gobble can be heard a mile away
  • A flustered cook called the Butterball Turkey Hotline and told the operator he’d cut his turkey in half with a chainsaw. What he was wondering: “Will the oil from the chainsaw adversely affect the bird’s flavor?”

Remembering Those Who Served

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Although every day is Veterans Day at St. Ann Center, November 11th was extra special. Both the Stein and Bucyrus Campuses held programs in honor of the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country.

This year, more veterans than ever before were saluted. The ranks of clients who are former military increased recently, when the Milwaukee VA Medical Center temporarily closed its day program. Many of its members transferred to St. Ann Center.

The Stein Campus atrium was awash in red, white and blue, with a display focusing on WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam Conflict.  The honorees represented many military branches–the Army, Navy and Airforce, included. Sr. Edna Lonergan, St. Ann Center’s president, said of the tribute, “Because of the men and women who served in the armed forces, we can enjoy great freedoms, without fear. We’ll never forget the choices you made for our benefit.”

Music therapist Hannah Goodness performed a patriotic medley of service songs—from the “Marine’s Hymn” to “Anchors Aweigh.” Then, the vets were celebrated with a presentation of pins and a chance to tell their stories.

The Bucyrus Campus adults turned out strong on Veterans Day to honor about a half-dozen clients. Each veteran received a certificate of appreciation. Will Kleeba of Building Services shared a brief history of the national anthem, before everyone sang it. The ceremony also featured a song of gratitude, sung in Swahili by Sr. Kevin, Sr. Celestine and Sr. Brigid, who held up cards with English translation of the lyrics: “May you be blessed. We love you. Thank you very much!”

Everyone’s a Winner in This Election

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The clients at St. Ann Center’s Stein Campus got into the Election Day spirit on November 3rd. The polls opened in the Atrium in the early morning, and saw a steady stream of voters throughout the day.

The ballot featured something everyone has a strong opinion about—food. There were 22 lunches and 16 snacks in the running. Each client cast their vote for one of each, and walked away with an American flag and an “I Voted!” sticker for their effort.

After the polls close and the ballots are tallied, the St. Ann Center kitchen will add the winning candidates to next week’s menu.

This exercise in delicious democracy resulted in a great turnout. “We always strive to give our clients a voice in what happens here,” said Kristen Schmalfeldt of the Activities Department. “This was a really fun way to do it.”

Early Voting Event Hosted by St. Ann Center Bucyrus Campus

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Both the weather and traffic were brisk around St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus on Saturday, Oct. 24th. The campus parking lot was the site of a drive-through election event sponsored by the NAACP as part of a national, nonpartisan Homecoming and Early Voting Day effort.

A steady caravan of cars kept volunteers busy handing out voter information and yard signs, and helping residents locate early voting and polling places. The Bucyrus Campus activity was one of many events across the state designed to encourage infrequent voters to vote early and safely during the upcoming General Election.

WNOV radio did a live broadcast from the Bucyrus Campus, encouraging people to drive over and get their questions answered.  Una Van Duvall, a St. Ann Center board member and state NAACP Communication Director, coordinated the Bucyrus Campus event. “It is so important not to take our right to vote for granted,” she said. “Democracy is something we must work to retain.”