On May 7, we held an open house for the opening of Resthaven’s second Green House home, the Jay & Hazel Janssen Cottage. This cottage compliments our first Green House Home, Boersma Cottage. We were delighted to invite the public to see, feel, and experience this donor-supported program.
“We are so excited to finish the construction and welcome ten elders into the new space,” said Deedre Vriesman. “The Green House homes offer an award winning model of care and is one-of-a-kind in Holland.
”The open house included a ribboncutting ceremony with the West Coast Chamber of Commerce and a blessing of the space by Chaplain Leigh VanKempen. The Green House project envisions a new approach of care where Elders, their families, and their caregivers live in a home where they develop meaningful relationships with one another. Central to this vision is the Shahbaz. The Shahbazim are universal workers who help with all aspects of life: cleaning, cooking, getting Elders ready for the day, activities, etc.
The 10-bed Janssen Cottage, like Boersma Cottage, is designed with intentionality to foster meaningful relationships. At the center is an open kitchen where the Shahbazim will prepare all the meals and a hearth to gather around. Everyone eats at the same table which allows everyone to gather together for food and fellowship as a family. The table at Janssen Cottage was created by, Alex Janssen,the grandson of the cottage’s namesakes Jay and Hazel Janssen, at his local company Forged by Design.
Thank you to all who made it to the Grand Opening celebration. If you want to tour the new Jay & Hazel Janssen Cottage, reach out to Eric Gies at (616) 796-3606.