Insights

Gift from Mary Thompson Foundation Supports Recreational Therapy Activities for Low-Income Older Adults

Grand Rapids, MI, July 23, 2019– The Porter Hills Foundation has received a grant of $5,000 from the Mary Thompson Foundation, based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan.  This gift will support recreational therapy activities for low-income older adults who participate at LifeCircles PACE, with locations in Holland and Muskegon.  PACE, or Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly, provides an innovative, proven, and cost-effective alternative to nursing home care for eligible older adults.

“We are delighted to receive this generous grant from the Mary Thompson Foundation that will enrich the lives of the older adults we serve at LifeCircles PACE,” says Joanna Hogan, Vice President of Philanthropy for the Porter Hills Foundation.

“PACE allows nursing-home eligible participants, ages 55 and over, to live safely and with dignity in their homes and communities for as long as possible, with the help of PACE services,” explains LifeCircles Executive Director, Luke Reynolds.  “The PACE interdisciplinary team of professionals offers participants a ‘one-stop’ shop model for all their healthcare needs, with door-to-door transportation provided free-of-charge.”

PACE also offers recreational therapy and social opportunities for its participants.  “Isolation is a real challenge for older adults, especially in the rural areas we serve,” says Reynolds.  “The chance to socialize with their peers at LifeCircles PACE is so important to their overall quality of life, while also creating respite opportunities for family caregivers.  I am thrilled to receive this grant from the Mary Thompson Foundation that will help us provide engaging and meaningful recreational activities that improve functioning and well-being for those we serve.”

LifeCircles PACE opened in 2009, serving older adults living in Muskegon County and portions of Ottawa and Allegan counties. Celebrating its 10^thanniversary this year, LifeCircles PACE serves 230 older adults at its Muskegon day center; a second site in Holland serves 100 participants.

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The mission of Porter Hills is to be trusted experts serving seniors with grace.  Its vision is to be nationally recognized as an unparalleled leader and partner in senior services.  Porter Hills recently affiliated, under shared governance and leadership, with United Methodist Retirement Communities, based in Chelsea, Michigan.  Together, these organizations represent the second largest nonprofit senior living organization in Michigan.  With a tradition of exceptional quality and a commitment to cutting-edge care, these faith-based organizations and their affiliates combine to serve more than 6,700 older adults each year, from 24 locations and service lines, across 22 counties in Michigan’s lower peninsula.  porterhills.org | 616.949.4975

The Porter Hills Foundationis the charitable arm for Porter Hills, with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Established in 1995 with a gift of $3.5 million, the Porter Hills Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to support the mission of Porter Hills as trusted experts serving seniors with grace. The mission of the Porter Hills Foundation is to raise, invest, and monitor the funds that support Porter Hills in providing a continuum of high-quality communities and services.  porterhills.org/foundation/ | 616.577.2297

LifeCircles PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) is a Porter Hills PACE Partnership.  LifeCircles supports vulnerable individuals and their care partners by providing compassionate, comprehensive, team-based care that honors their healthcare preferences and their desire to remain living in the community.  Lifecircles-pace.org | 231.733.8686

The Mary Thompson Foundation, based in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, is an organization providing aid, assistance and services to the elderly through funding, mostly throughout the Michigan area.  Marythompsonfoundation.org

Contact: Lisa French
Porter Hills Foundation 
Phone: 734-433-1000 ext. 7426