CULLMAN, Ala. – Grace Place, Grace Episcopal Church’s ministry to those with memory loss and their caregivers, was stopped in its tracks by COVID-19 early in 2020 but was soon back up and running after a little advice from similar programs in other cities and a little creativity on the part of its own leaders.
In a message to The Tribune, the group shared:
Grace Place was significantly impacted by 2020’s coronavirus. Cullman’s only day program for those with mild to moderate memory loss was shut down in early March because of the very real danger of the virus to the people served and restrictions on the size of gatherings.
Board member Jerry Jacob said, “It was a tough, but necessary, decision for the board. The volunteers and community contributors, who made the program a reality, were also disappointed. Special thanks to the meal providers: Carlton’s Italian Restaurant, Cullman Church of Christ, Little Caesars Pizza (Second Avenue location), Panera Bread and St. Andrews Methodist Church Charity Circle.”
Grace Place’s twice per week, four-hour sessions were canceled, as well as the once-a-month Caregiver Support Group meetings. Also, the newly hired Program Director, Melva Jackson, literally missed her first opportunity to lead a weekly session that had been scheduled for the second week in March.
Thanks to networking with similar programs across the state, however, Grace Place did not stop interacting with participants, the people served.
Board of Directors Chair Jay Jones commented, “One of the great things about memory-loss programs in Alabama is their willingness to share their experiences, successes and failures. By April, participants and their caregivers began receiving weekly-mailed packets containing devotionals, picture puzzles, word games, jokes, funny short stories, adult coloring images and other materials. It was enough activities to keep them engaged for several hours per week.
It was not until September, when it looked like the spread of COVID-19 was waning, the program board met and, with medical professional advice, decided to re-open on a scaled-back version. In mid-October, Grace Place re-opened for three-hour sessions, face masks or shields required, social distancing, less than 10 total people present and no lunch. Unfortunately, the much-anticipated surge of the disease reared its ugly head, and the program was shut down again in December.
Grace Place wound up serving 10 participants in 2020, down considerably from the 20 served in the previous year. The number of volunteers who graciously gave of their time and made the program possible was down from 20 in 2019 to 10 in 2020.
Even though donations were also down a lot, the organization is blessed with dedicated donors who continued to support the program’s efforts.
According to Jacob, “The year 2020 was hard on everyone. Grace Place suffered without being able to provide very-needed services to participants and their caregivers. We adapted to the circumstances and adjusted our services to fit what was feasible and effective. As we approach the new year, and the promise of vaccines to provide protection, our program will come back in its original format, revitalized and re-energized. Our participants and their family caregivers are far too important to us.”
For more information about Grace Place, director Melva Jackson can be reached at melvalayne@yahoo.com or 256-736-4260.
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