Reason 4 Hope ministry uses grant to beautify Life Care Center of LaGrange

Reason 4 Hope, a ministry that provides emotional and spiritual support to youth in the area, recently received a $1,000 grant that it put to use in serving the seniors and staff at Life Care Center of LaGrange, Indiana.

Jamelle Godlewski, director of Reason 4 Hope, has been a big supporter of the skilled nursing center at 0770 N. 75 E. She has been bringing her Club HOPE group of students from Lakeland Junior/Senior High School, to Life Care for different activities for more than a year.     “Last year, we started visiting Life Care once a month and having an activity time with the residents,” said Jamelle. “When COVID-19 started, we started working in the garden areas, making window visits, drawing on windows and participating in parades. This school year, we have made crafts for the residents, Christmas and Valentine’s Day cards, Easter goodie bags as well as Christmas caroling.”

Jamelle and Reason 4 Hope applied for and received a $1,000 grant from the LaGrange County REMC energy cooperative. They used the money to beautify Life Care’s garden areas so the residents can use the areas for visiting with their families and enjoy the peaceful, beautiful space. The group cleaned out the old flower beds in the garden, planted new flowers and decorated the garden with colors. They also planted flowers in the courtyard.

“Jamelle is an amazing person – she goes above and beyond for our residents,” said Wilma Litzau, business development director at Life Care Center of LaGrange. “Recently, she had a cookout for the staff and brought dessert for the residents. She is here once a week for Bible study in the garden. Words cannot describe how much she means to all of us.”

Along with Reason 4 Hope, Avery’s Lawn Service donated time to change out the cement on the patio and redo the fountains.

“It all brings cheerfulness and happiness when sometimes we feel depressed,” said resident Molly Sharp. “It makes us feel good to wake up to see the beauty.”