In 2012, Respite for All (RFA) co-founder, Daphne Johnston, launched a Respite Ministry at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. At the time, the senior minister, Dr. Lawson Bryan, and the congregation were praying for a way that the church could provide a response to a growing community issue, which was support needed for those living with dementia, their care partners, and their families. With Daphne’s background in gerontology and over 15 years of work as an executive director in senior living administration, she knew there were solutions other than medical and long-term care facilities.

The aim of Respite for All is to focus on building a no-label environment where everyone had a purpose, blurring the lines between trained volunteers and those we were serving – creating an atmosphere of service for everyone involved so those living with memory issues could still find meaning in their day-to-day lives. The first Respite Ministry began two days a week from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, where people living with dementia and trained volunteers could come together for games, art, music, exercise, shared meals, and service projects for the community.

Jayhawk Caregiver Support Specialist, Michele Dillon, was approached by Rochelle Johnson in Lawrence, whose mom use to attend the ministry in Montgomery. Running with the idea the agency teamed up with Grace Presbyterian in Lawrence and began Care 4 All in September. Our Lawrence program runs from 10-2 on Tuesdays and Fridays and our Topeka program is on Mondays and Thursdays. For $40 per day the caregiver can drop off their loved one with early to Moderate stage dementia and we provide activities and lunch. This is a non-medical volunteer-based model, so we welcome volunteers of all ages. We are collaborating with Van-Go for activites as well as Meadowbrook Estates and Arbor Court for lunch.