Stories from St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care

Bucyrus Campus to Host Free Milwaukee Ballet Performance

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NO STUDIOS, a new hub for the creative arts in downtown Milwaukee has announced a packed lineup of grand opening events, taking place Oct. 12–14 at No Studios and throughout the city. St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Bucyrus Campus will host one of the free community events on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 13.

Founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker and Milwaukee native John Ridley (“12 Years a Slave” and “American Crime”) and business partner Chris Abele, NO STUDIOS promotes culture, community and connectedness. The opening events give Milwaukeeans the chance to learn more about this new organization and how to get involved.

The public pop-up performance, 1-3 p.m. at the Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave., highlights NO STUDIO’s efforts to provide access to the arts throughout all Milwaukee communities. Performers include Milwaukee Ballet II (MBII), 20 dancers from around the U.S. and the world who are training with Milwaukee Ballet to bridge the gap between student and professional dance careers. Established in 1978, MBII reflects the artistic vision of Milwaukee Ballet.

Also featured will be Panadanza Dance Company, an all-women dance ensemble that uses live music, singing, acting and colorful folkloric costumes to bring alive the identities of the Caribbean, Central and South America. Rounding out the program is Signature Dance Company, a performance dance company for women and girls ages 3 years old through adult.

To see other events taking place during the grand opening weekend, visit nostudios.com/event.

 

Oct-Dec 2018 Newsletter Feature

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A Family Affair

Like a lot of sisters, Sandy Szopinski and Ellen Cook look forward to spending time together. In fact, they have a standing lunch date every Tuesday at St. Ann Center, and their mutual BFF (best furry friend) joins them.
Sandy, a client at the Stein Campus for the past four years, breezes from one activity to another in her power wheelchair. “She’s involved in so many great programs at St. Ann Center,” Ellen, a professional photographer, said. “I wanted to find a way my dog, Sofie, and I could help out here.” Ellen registered her charismatic Bearded Collie as a St. Ann Center pet volunteer, and Sofie instantly became a shaggy celebrity.

In exchange for treats, she will speak, give high fives and snuggle. “One young client was having a difficult day, so I lifted Sofie up so he could pet her,” Ellen recalled. “He immediately relaxed.”

“Sandy is happy that her family has become such a fun part of her life at St. Ann Center.” – Ellen Cook

Although having cerebral palsy can make things difficult, she said, “I feel at home here.” Living in a senior apartment complex just blocks from the Stein Campus, Sandy takes a van to the center five days a week. “I look forward to the whirlpool baths and massages,” she said. She gets haircuts and manicures at the center’s beauty salon and enjoys making jewelry and ceramic pieces.

Recently, Sandy had her first appointment at the Gardetto Family Community Dental Clinic at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus. “The staff was nice and very respectful,” she said. Ellen added, “There are few options for someone with CP and other disabilities to receive dental care.”

St. Ann Center allow Sandy to live independently with dignity as she ages. Ellen said. “It’s a place where she is well cared for–where she can socialize and do things she enjoys with people she likes.”I’m thrilled Sofie and I can be part of this experience.”

Sandy and Ellen’s story is just one example of how your connection to St. Ann Center helps enhance the lives of people of all ages and abilities. In the October-December issue of Seasons of Life, you will find more stories of the difference generous people like you are making at St. Ann Center every day.

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Bishop Schuerman Presides at St. Francis Feast Day Mass and Pet Blessing

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A special Mass celebrating the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi will be held on Thursday, Oct. 4, at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care-Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave. Bishop Jim Schuerman will preside at the liturgy, beginning at 10 a.m. in the center’s atrium.

In the spirit of St. Francis, patron saint of animals, there will be a blessing of the animals following Mass at 11 a.m. in the center’s east parking lot. “It’s fitting that we bless the animals who bless our lives in so many ways,” says David Kenny, St. Ann Center’s vice president of Pastoral Care. If the actual animal is not able to be present, it can be represented by a picture or its collar, leash, food or toy.

St. Ann Center provides health and educational day services to the frail elderly, adults with special needs and children, all under one roof. The center champions a home-based, intergenerational approach that emphasizes the dignity of each client and child. A corporate ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi, its mission is based on the Franciscan values: reverencing all creation, making peace, showing compassion and creating a caring community.

For more information on the celebration, call David Kenny at 414-977-5075.

 

Record $282,857 Raised at St. Ann Center Gala

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The 14th annual Dream Together Gala was an historic one for St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care. A record-breaking $282,857 was raised — well above the goal of $225,000, thanks to generous friends and supporters of the center who gathered Aug. 10 at Discovery World Museum.

The fundraising event, traditionally the nonprofit organization’s biggest of the year, benefits the nationally acclaimed day care program, which provides health and educational services to children, older adults and people with disabilities all under one roof.

This year, funds raised will help launch three brand-new community programs at St. Ann Center’s Bucyrus Campus, 2450 W. North Ave. They are an Aquatics Center, where children will learn to swim and adults with special needs will receive water therapy; a Dementia Care Wing, where people living with memory loss can enjoy a safe, supportive environment;  and an Overnight Respite Center that gives caregivers a chance to recharge while their loved ones receive loving, professional care.

Proceeds from the gala also support St. Ann Center’s Care Champions program, which directly benefits clients who have no means to pay for services they desperately need. St. Ann Center serves Milwaukee at the Bucyrus Campus and also the Stein Campus, 2801 E. Morgan Ave.

The evening featured jewelry designed and handcrafted by Sr. Edna Lonergan, OSF, founder and CEO of St. Ann Center; live and silent auctions;  a raffle; a catered dinner and music by the Wisconsin Intergenerational Orchestra.

The Big Dream Sponsors for the gala include Marji Singer, MHS Health Wisconsin, Catalyst Construction and many other generous donors. The annual gala, first held in 2005, is hosted by Carol Nevins Cannon and Craig and Susie Nevins in honor of their mother, Florence Nevins, and her devotion to St. Ann Center.

Questions about ways to support St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care can be directed to Casey Rozanski at (414) 977-5062 or crozanski@stanncenter.org.

Intergenerational Artists Show Their True Colors

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Fun was in the cards for the children and adults at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care on Friday, July 27. Teen interns from the Milwaukee Art Museum worked with budding artists from the center, decorating cards that will be used to create an installation to be on public display at the museum beginning this fall.

Eighteen teens from the ArtXpress Internship Program came to St. Ann Center’s Stein Campus, bringing Eames cards (11.5 X 7.5 in.) for decorating. Charles and Ray Eames designed the House of Cards game in 1952 as a deck of 54 slotted playing cards. The cards can be assembled together to form fantastic structures both large and small.

“It’s amazing to see the ArtXpress interns in this environment working directly with the little kids and also with the clients here at St. Ann Center—they’re really shining!” said Shannon Molter, the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Associate Educator of Teen Programs. “They’re showing people how to use art materials, talking with them about their interests, doing mini interviews about their lives and what they love and then making art about it together. There are smiles all around.”

The teens provided an array of art supplies–from crayons, markers and watercolors to 3-D collage materials—to share with artists ranging in age from 5 years old to 70-plus. “Some of St. Ann Center’s elder clients may even remember playing with the original cards when they were children,” Shannon said.

For the past several months, a diverse audience of Milwaukeeans have been invited to participate in decorating Eames cards. The public art project is an effort to give the community a chance to interact with design and be valuable contributors to their art museum.

Ray Chi, a multi-disciplinary artist based in Milwaukee, will be turning thousands of completed cards into a sculpture that will be part of Serious Play: Design in Midcentury America, an exhibition presenting the concept of playfulness in postwar American design as a catalyst for creativity and innovation. Serious Play will explore how employing playfulness allowed designers to bring fresh ideas to the American home, children’s toys and play spaces and corporate identities. The exhibition will be on display Sept. 28, 2018 – Jan. 6, 2019 in the Baker/Rowland Galleries.