Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

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SAVANNAH, GA — June 12, 2026

Original Submission by Cathy Baxter and Heather Harvey

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and support those living with dementia and other cognitive challenges. Here on Skidaway Island, where community is one of our defining characteristics, this feels especially vital. Many of our neighbors are quietly navigating this journey every day.

For Skidaway residents Elaine Barrow, Mark Stevens, and Carole Wilson, that understanding comes from firsthand experience. Each volunteers with Hope Haven, a faith-based respite ministry at St. John’s Church in downtown Savannah. The program is designed to feel like a social club where no distinction is made between a member and a volunteer. There, Hope Haven serves individuals living with mild to moderate dementia while providing essential support for their caregivers.

Across the country, more than 7 million Americans are living with dementia, and nearly 11 million people provide unpaid care, totaling about 18 billion hours each year. Behind these numbers are real families balancing love, responsibility, and uncertainty, often without enough time or support for themselves. For those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the experience can be both meaningful and demanding. Through her time volunteering, Barrow has seen this up close. “We see how exhausting it is to care for a family member with health disabilities,” she says.

That understanding is at the heart of Hope Haven. The program was created to support what Barrow calls “home warriors,” the caregivers who give so much of themselves every day. While their loved ones enjoy purposeful engagement through daily devotions, art projects, live music, shared meals, and conversation, caregivers receive something equally important, four hours to rest and regroup. Hope Haven also provides a monthly support group facilitated by the Edel Caregiver Institute of Hospice Savannah and quarterly caregiver education events.  

A Place Where People Feel Seen

For one Skidaway resident, the impact of Hope Haven was deeply personal. “Hope Haven was such a wonderful program for my father,” shared Melanie Shepherd, whose father attended the program. “He went twice a week for a few months before I was able to visit myself.” What stood out most was not just what her father did, but how he felt being there.

“When I first visited, he rarely spoke in full sentences but told me, ‘You’re really going to like this!’  He loved playing balloon volleyball and would punctuate every hit with his own sound effects, ‘Pow!’” Even as words became harder, his expressions said a lot. “What he wasn’t able to say, you could see on his face. He knew he was loved by his companions at Hope Haven, and that he valued them, and they valued him in return. Our family is forever grateful.”

Her story is a reminder that connection doesn’t go away with dementia, it just takes different forms, something volunteers say they see every day.

Why Awareness Matters

One important part of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is helping people recognize the signs of dementia early and understand when to seek help. Early diagnosis can help slow progression through treatment, give families time to plan, enable longer independent living, secure personal safety, improve quality of life, and reduce stress for caregivers.

Dementia can begin gradually, and symptoms may be mistaken for normal aging. Through his experience at Hope Haven, Mark Stevens has seen how different those symptoms can be. “Dementia can affect people at younger ages than I realized,” he says. “It also shows up in different ways, sometimes physically, sometimes mentally, and sometimes both.” Common signs include memory loss, confusion, difficulty completing tasks, changes in mood, and withdrawing from activities. Recognizing these changes early can help families find support sooner, something many Hope Haven volunteers say they wish more people understood.

The Power of Connection

Beyond the physical and cognitive symptoms, dementia often brings challenges that are less visible. Isolation and loss of purpose can have a big impact on individuals and their caregivers. Research shows that social isolation can speed dementia’s progression, and a lack of purpose can increase anxiety and depression. Staying connected and engaged is not just helpful, it’s essential, and volunteers at Hope Haven see that in real time.

“Being part of Hope Haven has touched me in ways I didn’t expect,” says Carole Wilson. “It’s an emotional experience in the most human sense, offering dignity, patience, and genuine connection.” She says it is often the simplest moments that matter most, a smile, a shared memory, or just sitting together. “Seeing how a small act of kindness can bring comfort and spark a connection truly melts my heart,” she adds. She also sees the impact on families. “When caregivers come to pick up their loved ones, you can see how much it means to them. It’s incredibly gratifying.”

Barrow has noticed the same thing and points to the thought that goes into each day. “Every step, every activity, every moment is carefully created for success and enjoyment,” she says.

Finding Purpose Through Service

While Hope Haven supports members and their families, it also has a profound impact on its volunteers, many of whom live here on Skidaway. “Being a volunteer companion at Hope Haven checks so many boxes,” Stevens says. “It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I’m helping in a meaningful way. It’s also a great way to spend the day, especially in retirement, and to meet interesting people.” He adds that volunteering also deepens understanding of dementia. “You keep learning just by being there. You learn from the members and from the other volunteers.”

Many volunteers say these experiences have changed the way they think about dementia and how they interact with others in their own community. At its heart, Hope Haven is about connection. It creates a space where people are valued for who they are. For caregivers, even a few hours of respite can make a real difference. “Those caring for a loved one know how much you hope for those happy moments,” Barrow says. “Time at Hope Haven is such a gift.”

Supporting a Loved One with Dementia

For many people on Skidaway Island, dementia may not yet be part of daily life, but it will likely touch someone they know at some point. Stevens shares a few practical suggestions based on what he has learned through his time at Hope Haven: encourage independence when it is safe; be flexible as relationships and communication change; focus on familiar topics and strengths; be gentle when correcting or guiding; and lead with empathy and reassurance.

“People with dementia don’t want to feel like a burden,” he says. “Sometimes that feeling can be harder than the disease itself.” He also notes that there may come a time when additional help is needed, and that seeking support early can make a big difference for both the individual and their family.

A Community That Shows Up

This Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is a good time to reflect on what dementia looks like for families, and what we can do to help. It could be as simple as learning the signs, being patient with someone who’s struggling, checking in on a neighbor, or lending a hand to a caregiver. You don’t have to do something big to make a difference. Here on Skidaway Island, those small, everyday acts of kindness really do matter, and a lot of what we learn comes from people right here in our own community, including those volunteering at Hope Haven. At the end of the day, it’s not just about awareness. It’s about how we take care of each other and stay connected.

ABOUT HOPE HAVEN
Hope Haven is a faith-based day respite ministry located in downtown Savannah at St. John’s Church, Cranmer Hall, 27 West Charlton Street. Dedicated to providing dementia support with heart, Hope Haven serves individuals living with dementia or other cognitive challenges through a unique “social club” experience where there is no distinction made between members and volunteers. For four hours they engage together in games, music, art, exercise, shared meals, and service projects that enrich mind, body, and spirit while giving caregivers much-needed rest. Hope Haven is supported by trained volunteers and guided by the principles of compassion, dignity, and community. Prospective members must be medically stable, capable of socializing in a group setting, ambulatory (with or without assistive devices), and able to manage eating and toileting needs independently. A one-time $100 registration fee applies, with program costs of $205 per month for one day a week or $410 per month for two days a week. Hope Haven operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays 47 weeks per year. Scholarships are available. To learn more, visit www.savannahrespite.com or call 912-231-7310.

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For media inquires, contact Heather Harvey: SavannahRespiteNews@Gmail.com

SAVANNAH, GA — September 19, 2025 - Hope Haven is honored to be among 15 local organizations awarded a share of $60,000 in grants from the Garden Club of Savannah. The awards were presented during a ceremony at the historic Massie School by 2025 NOGS Chairman, Era Hall.

Proceeds for the grants come from the Garden Club’s annual NOGS Garden Tour, held each spring.

The grants support a variety of programs addressing community needs. Hope Haven, a faith-based day respite program, offers a “social club” experience for people living with dementia and other cognitive changes, while also giving caregivers much-needed rest and renewal.

Other grant recipients included Tybee’s Fresh Air Home, which provides a free summer camp for children on Tybee Island, and Tharros Place, which offers shelter and support services for survivors of human trafficking.

“It was uplifting to see so many wonderful community organizations gathered together in one space,” said Cathy Baxter, director of Hope Haven. “The Garden Club of Savannah does more than beautify our city—they cultivate hope and invest in people, and that generosity strengthens the entire community.”

ABOUT HOPE HAVEN
Hope Haven is a faith-based day respite ministry located in downtown Savannah at St. John’s Church, Cranmer Hall, 27 West Charlton Street. Dedicated to providing dementia support with heart, Hope Haven serves individuals living with dementia or other cognitive challenges through a unique “social club” experience where there is no distinction made between members and volunteers. For four hours they engage together in games, music, art, exercise, shared meals, and service projects that enrich mind, body, and spirit while giving caregivers much-needed rest. Hope Haven is supported by trained volunteers and guided by the principles of compassion, dignity, and community. Prospective members must be medically stable, capable of socializing in a group setting, ambulatory (with or without assistive devices), and able to manage eating and toileting needs independently. A one-time $100 registration fee applies, with program costs of $205 per month for one day a week or $410 per month for two days a week. Hope Haven operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays 47 weeks per year. Scholarships are available. To learn more, visit www.savannahrespite.com or call 912-231-7310.

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For media inquires, contact Mary Beth Kennedy: SavannahRespiteNews@Gmail.com

SAVANNAH, GA – August 21, 2025 – Three Savannah VOICE Festival artists — Chad Sonka, Michael Ching and Lavonya Johnson — brought the gift of live music last week to the members of Hope Haven, a social club for people in the early to mid-stages of dementia.

Hope Haven provides joyful community for them, respite for caregivers and a place for volunteers to love and serve. Studies show that live music sparks memory and connection for those living with dementia, and that familiar songs reduce anxiety and bring comfort.

SVF artists lead off the program with four virtuoso solo pieces before joining members in singing some Hope Haven favorites, “This Land Is Your Land” and “Amazing Grace”.

“The SVF artists filled the room with joy, touching the hearts of our members, their caregivers and our volunteers,” said Cathy Baxter, director of Hope Haven. “Beyond showcasing their remarkable talent, they created an inclusive and engaging atmosphere by inviting everyone to sing along.”

Caregiver Twyla Abo shared, “The singing made me really emotional… truly beautiful voices.”

The Savannah VOICE Festival’s partnership with Hope Haven is one of many community outreach efforts, which also include programs with the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, Historic Savannah Foundation and Hospice Savannah.

“We are incredibly grateful for the partnerships that help bring world-class vocal music to the heart of our community,” said Evelina Erickson, Executive Director of SVF. “SVF is proud to provide this kind of outreach led by world-renowned faculty, that promotes arts accessibility while giving back to those we serve the community."

Savannah VOICE Festival is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt nonprofit arts organization in the state of Georgia. The Festival brings classical vocal excellence to the Savannah area through a two-week celebration of concerts, events and educational presentations during the month of August and throughout the year. Focusing on arts awareness and audience development in the performing arts, it offers music from opera, musical theatre and popular song. Donations are tax-deductible. The Savannah VOICE Festival is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a Partner Agency

of the National Endowment for the Arts.

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For media inquiries, please contact Allie Robinson at allie@lesleyfrancispr.com, Lesley Francis at 912-429-

3950 or lesley@lesleyfrancispr.com, or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).

SAVANNAH, GA. (June 13, 2025) — Hope Haven has named Cathy Baxter as the inaugural director of its respite ministry, launched by St. John’s Church (Episcopal) to provide joyful engagement and personal connection for individuals living with neurological challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

Baxter is committed to serving both individuals with dementia and their caregivers, recognizing that support must extend to the entire family. “This balance,” she says, “contributes to a higher quality of life for the entire family.” Hope Haven’s twice-weekly program, led by trained and dedicated volunteers, offers four hours of engaging activities for participants while providing caregivers with valuable time for rest and renewal.

“Cathy understands the importance of providing a joyful experience for those who are too often isolated,” said Terry Pindar, chairman of the Hope Haven leadership committee. “She brings warmth, vision and credibility to a ministry that will serve some of the most vulnerable families in our region.”

Activities such as music, art, games, devotions and shared meals are designed to foster connection and enhance quality of life. The program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 27 W. Charlton St. in the heart of downtown Savannah.

Baxter brings extensive leadership experience and deep community roots to her new role. She completed Positive Approach to Care® Champion training with dementia care specialist Teepa Snow and holds an Alzheimer’s Association certification. A Savannah native and graduate of Savannah Country Day School, Baxter earned a Bachelor of Science in architecture from the University of Virginia.

Her passion for this work is deeply personal. Having witnessed the devotion of her father as a caregiver to her mother, Baxter understands the profound impact of caregiving and the need for meaningful support for both care partners and their loved ones.

She co-founded the St. John’s Outreach Committee in 2016 and served as chairman through 2023. Outside of her work with Hope Haven, Baxter teaches yoga and runs with the Savannah Striders, finding both practices to be grounding sources of wellness and connection.

Baxter lives in Savannah with her husband, Benjamin Baxter. Their daughter, Emiline, recently completed her freshman year at Georgia Tech.

Hope Haven officially launched in February 2025 and also offers monthly caregiver support groups led by Jill Costello of Hospice Savannah’s Edel Caregiver Institute, along with volunteer training led by Baxter in collaboration with Costello and certified dementia care specialist Robin Dill.

Designed as a community-wide effort, the ministry welcomes members and volunteers from across Savannah and surrounding areas.

ABOUT HOPE HAVEN
Hope Haven enriches the lives of families experiencing dementia through joyful engagement and hopeful support. For more information or to get involved, visit SavannahRespite.com or contact Cathy Baxter at (912) 231-7310. We are located at: 27 West Charlton St. Savannah, GA 31401

Contact us for media opportunities: SavannahRespiteNews@Gmail.com