Southern Indiana Living

JAN-FEB 2015

Southern Indiana Living magazine is the exclusive publication of the region, offering readers a wide range of coverage on the people, places and events that make our area unlike any other. In SIL readers will find beautiful photography, encouraging s

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Jan/Feb 2015 • 17 M ichelle Harris watches her 3-year-old son play at her feet as she describes her jour- ney from addiction to pur- pose. The 29-year-single mother fashes a bright smile – a smile she says was made possible by Patchwork Program. It says much about her struggle from a life of abusive relationships, drug abuse, incar- ceration, alienation from family, and the temporary loss of her son. Gertie Eubanks, 91, sits in her com- fortable living room, crocheting a pale pink baby sweater and watching Dick Clark host a $25,000 Pyramid rerun. A pleasant aroma of simmering beef rises from her kitchen. "I'll add a potato, cook a litle broccoli and have a good meal," she says. Surrounded by family pictures and furniture from her former home, the one- time delivery room aide says she enjoys living in her single-bedroom apartment, one of 25 in The Meadows of Guerin Woods, providing independent living for low-income people age 62 or older. Harris and Eubanks are just two of the lives changed – or at least made more comfortable – by a chain of events that began in 1994 when Sister Barbara Ann Zeller, now president/CEO of Guerin Inc./ Providence Self Sufciency Ministries, spoted numerous ads for foster parents. "I just got tired of seeing these ads," she says. "Why don't we have some of these kids live with us?" she asked the others in the Sisters of Providence Con- vent in New Albany. They agreed. Two decades later that has evolved from caring for a half-dozen children to the 28-acre Guerin Woods campus in Georgetown, Indiana. The site hosts pro- grams for family reunifcation, two senior citizen apartment complexes, and villas – innovative nursing facilities for elderly. "If there is a need to be met, and you can meet it, it is no longer a need. And you go on to the next need," says Sister Barbara, explaining the varied programs ofered. "It is all about people," she says. "Our campus ofers a blend of people of all ages with a variety of needs." For instance, Roberta Koerner, a re- tired bookkeeper, enjoys a two-bedroom apartment in Guerin Woods, adjacent to The Meadows. "The extra bedroom gives me room for an ofce and crafting," says Koerner, the designated craft person for the campus' Senior Center and recipient of a handful of art awards at the Floyd County 4-H Fair this summer. "I appreciate the neighborhood en- vironment and the way residents look af- ter each other," she says. Fern McClain, with her husband, Roy, a retired minister, were among the frst residents of these apartments. The couple served Georgetown Christian Church for many years and were mis- sionaries in Mexico. Health issues caused them to return, and they planned to enter a home for seniors in Louisville. "But when we saw Guerin Woods being built, we knew it would be ideal for us," says Fern. "We could be among people we knew and loved. We are happy here." Having both housing and nurs- ing programs allows residents to "age in place," says Sister Barbara. She cites Ro- seta Harvey as an example. Harvey lives in a two-bedroom apartment, serves on the board of directors and has been in- strumental in organizing health fairs and other events at the Senior Center. After undergoing surgery, she needed full-time care and moved from her apartment into a villa. As Harvey's condition improved, she switched places with an apartment resident needing nursing care. Each of the four 7,100-square-foot villas has 10 private rooms, an open kitch- en and dining room, therapeutic spa, a den, a patio garden and ofce. Meals are served family-style. Plans for a traditional 90-bed nursing home were scrapped when Sister Barbara learned of the Small House Model (originally Greenhouse Project). "I listened to information about this concept for two days," she says, "then came back, called an emergency meeting of the board, and told them, 'We need to do this.'" In the '40s it was discovered that children didn't thrive in an institutional seting, she says. "It took another 50 years to fgure out that is true for senior citizens as well." The Journey Soon after initiating foster care, the Sisters expanded the project, licensing to host additional children. To support this efort, they provided New Albany Housing Authority residents with adult education and other services. "We also ofered child care while parents availed themselves of these services," says Sister Barbara. "We did it all, and cared for our Above: Sister Barbara, on the lawn mower. Mowing grass is one of her favorite activities.

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