Bishop Nelson Perez took some time on April 30 to visit the Jennings senior citizen community in Garfield Heights, which is celebrating 75 years of experience with housing and services for older adults.
?What a great way to start my Monday,? one woman said as she greeted the bishop.
Accompanied by Allison Salopeck, Jennings president and CEO, Bishop Perez got a look at the sprawling community on Granger Road that offers a continuum of care. Jennings has housing options ranging from independent living apartments and villas, assisted living, short-term and long-term rehabilitation to nursing home and memory care units, as well as hospice care. There also is an adult day services program, as well as a child-care facility that allows intergenerational experiences for both the children and seniors.
?We?ve been here since 1941,? Salopeck said, explaining the Jennings legacy to the bishop. She said the facility began at the request of the late Monsignor Gilbert Jennings, founding pastor of St. Agnes Church in Cleveland, who envisioned safe, comfortable and affordable housing for aging citizens who would not otherwise be able to provide for themselves with a suitable home. He left his family inheritance as a means to begin the ministry.
Salopeck said Jennings, named in the monsignor?s honor, began as ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit with one building in Garfield Heights. Over the years it has evolved into a campus community with a full continuum of care, services and progressive programs that inspire and celebrate life.
Jennings has additional locations in Shaker Heights and the new Jennings at Brecksville, which opened last summer and offers independent and assisted living. Another new facility, Jennings at Notre Dame, a collaboration between the Sisters of Notre and Jennings, is scheduled to open this summer on the large campus with the sisters? motherhouse, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School and Notre Dame Elementary School.
There are 174 residents in skilled nursing; 54 in assisted living at Garfield Heights and 74 at Brecksville; 50 enrolled in the adult day services; 166 living in apartments in Garfield Heights and 44 in Shaker Heights and 75 children in the Garfield Heights child care program, ranging in age from six weeks to 12 years old.
Salopeck said there is a strong Catholic presence at Jennings, with Sisters of the Holy Spirit ministering there, as well as members of other congregations. There is a full-time, resident chaplain and Mass is celebrated daily. Salopeck and Holy Spirit Sister Patricia Raelene, director of pastoral care, said plans are being made to ensure that Jennings retains its Catholicity in the future.
?That is very important to us,? Sister said.
Residents have access to transportation and a countless activity programs.
After touring the facility, seeing some apartments and learning about Jennings? history, the bishop had coffee and pastry with residents, chatted with them and posed for photos.|
