Creative Caring

Local Schools Support Park Place in Unconventional Ways

It doesn’t matter your age or where you live; everyone’s lives, activities, and perspectives have changed during 2020. For the older adults we serve in our communities, that means less time outside the building. For the students who have formed relationships with our residents, it means finding a new way to connect.

Park Place of St. John is one community whose residents have been blessed with relationships with local schools, such as Illiana Christian High School and Highland Christian School. But they also have had a close relationship with Crown Point Christian School (CPCS), thanks to the five-minute walk between campuses.

“We’ve been friends with Park Place since the community opened,” says Larry Koontz, CPCS Bible teacher. He’s worked at CPCS for almost two decades, where he has led their Ministry Team and SALTeam (Servant Accountability Leadership Team). “I’m always looking for ways we can serve, with the goal that the students will develop a love for service that would last beyond their time at our school.”

Before the pandemic, about 70 students volunteered to partner with Park Place. But when the visiting restrictions started last spring, the relationship between Park Place and CPCS was on hold. It was something that everyone felt on both campuses. “This is a relationship we all value,” says Dave Tiemersma, Park Place Health & Wellness Center Administrator. “Our campus really benefits from our friendships with these local schools.”

“It seemed like there had to be something we could do,” Larry says. He came up with the idea to pray outside with the students. “Almost all the students have been involved with this. We have around 150 students signed up.”

The students walk over to Park Place twice a month. On the first day, they walk along one side of the Retirement Living apartments, praying for the people inside. On the second day, they go to one of the Small Houses and walk around the House and pray.

“We know how much these residents have sacrificed this year,” Larry says. “Many haven’t seen family at all, or if they have, it’s been through windows. We want them to know they aren’t alone and that they’re loved.”

Illiana Christian High School has also been ministering to Park Place in a creative way. The students have been putting large sidewalk chalk art on the pavement and adding short, encouraging phrases to their work. Residents can look down from the upper floors and see the beautiful drawings.

CPCS is also participating in an Art Exchange with Park Place. CPCS students’ art pieces will be displayed on the third floor of the Retirement Living building, and Park Place residents’ work will be displayed at the school.

The relationship between the two communities has only grown stronger during their time apart. “We know it won’t be like this forever,” Larry says, “but we’re thankful for this opportunity to show our care for these residents in new ways.”