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This year marks a remarkable milestone for The Gathering, Lyngblomsten’s group respite program for older adults with early- to mid-stage memory loss. We’re celebrating 25 years of bringing joy, connection, and support to people living with memory loss and their caregivers. Since its founding, The Gathering has grown into a cornerstone program of Lyngblomsten Community Services, offering a fun, engaging, and enriching four hours for participants while providing a break for their family caregivers. It is a community of support for all involved.

A History of Community Partnerships

The Gathering began in 2000 when a team from Lyngblomsten Outreach (now known as Lyngblomsten Community Services) started working with a group of dedicated volunteers from St. Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Paul and leadership from the Como Park Living at Home Network (now known as ComoConnects). Together, all three organizations combined resources, expertise, and community connections to create a model of group respite that would meet the needs of participants and their family caregivers. Over the years as Community Services continued to develop The Gathering, the program expanded its partnerships to include several churches in the Twin Cities and hundreds of volunteers, creating a broader network of support.

Growth and Impact

What began as a twice-a-month program has grown tremendously. Today, participants have the opportunity to attend three days a week at Lyngblomsten’s Como Park campus or Lino Lakes campus. Rachel Boucher, The Gathering Program Coordinator, develops three curriculum plans each week around the same theme. She and Rhonda Breakfield-Uggen, The Gathering Program Facilitator, lead the program with support during each session from 5–6 trained volunteers (more than 40 Lyngblomsten volunteers currently serve with The Gathering). Since 2000, more than 1,000 participants have enjoyed activities designed to stimulate the mind, nurture creativity, and foster social connections—from music and art projects to movement and memory-enhancing exercises. The Gathering provides a community where participants feel valued, understood, and celebrated.

Caregivers, too, benefit from The Gathering, receiving a valuable period of time to rest, complete an errand, attend an appointment, or catch up with a friend. The program not only provides caregivers with a much-needed break but also equips them with resources, education, and encouragement to continue their vital work at home. Four times a week, caregivers can attend a Caregiver Connect support group to build community and offer support over a cup of coffee. Savannah Dahl, CTRS, and Lisa Brown MSW, LISW, are our Caregiver Consultants and are available to journey alongside our family caregivers.

Beyond serving our own community, Lyngblomsten continues to share the model of The Gathering with other aging service organizations, helping them establish similar group respite programs around the Twin Cities and beyond. We have been able to offer guidance, training, and support. Over the years, we have helped expand access to respite programs for people living with memory loss and their caregivers.

Continuing a Legacy

As we celebrate 25 years, we reflect on the countless smiles, shared stories, and cherished friendships that have grown through The Gathering. It’s a testament to the dedication of Lyngblomsten staff, volunteers, and supporters who make this program possible.

We are deeply grateful for all those who have contributed to the joy of The Gathering today and throughout the years—participants, caregivers, volunteers, staff, church partners, community partners, The Brookdale Foundation, and the Lyngblomsten Foundation.

We look forward to continuing this tradition of care and connection for many years to come—nurturing hearts, sparking memories, and enriching lives one gathering at a time.

To see a video of recent highlights from The Gathering, click here.