Resthaven Care Community

Blueprint for Action:

Preparing for Aging in Holland

Leaders in our community worked to assess if we are ready as a community to meet our aging population’s needs and launched a strategic planning process called A Blueprint for Action: Preparing for Aging in Holland. 

Sponsored by the Resthaven Care Community, Evergreen Commons, and The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area, a report to the community was presented in June 2009.
 

Co-Chairs of the project were Larry Erlandson, President of Evergreen Commons, and Charles Vander Broek, President/CEO of Resthaven.  Donna Cornwell served as the Project Coordinator.  They lead a blue-ribbon panel of 9 community leaders who served as the Steering Committee. 

With the goal of taking the first steps toward our vision, over 120 community members served on one of five Committees evaluating the City of Holland’s resources in the areas of:

1. Community Engagement
2. Active Aging
3. Housing
4. Public/Community Infrastructure
5. Health & Wellness
 
Their findings were published in June 2009.  Click here to see the Blueprint for Action's Report Card to the Community.

The Mission of the Blueprint for Action
To assess Holland’s readiness for a growing older adult population and present to the community a blueprint for collaborative action.

Our Vision
Holland is an accessible and affordable community where ALL older adults live fully and are

•  Safe and comfortable.
•  Engaged in a continuum of lifelong opportunities for community engagement and leisure activities.
•  Supported by a caring community network which addresses basic needs, mental and physical well-being, and encourages independence.
•  Empowered to make their own decisions.

The Steering Committee
Charlie Vander Broek, Co-Chair • Resthaven
Larry Erlandson, Co-Chair • Evergreen Commons
Donna Cornwell • Project Coordinator
Mark de Roo • Resthaven
Norma Killilea • Community Volunteer
Tom Ludwig • Hope College
Phil Meyer • City of Holland
Jinnifer Ortquist • MSU Extension
Celia Serrano de Martinez • Community Volunteer
Selden Smith • Community Volunteer
Peg VanGrouw • Community Volunteer