Minnetonka students and their families made a big difference for residents at Trouvaille Homes this past year by showing up—virtually, of course—with entertaining videos and pre-made craft kits to help seniors remember that they are loved and cared for.
Trouvaille Homes is a senior living residence for individuals with memory loss, located across the street from Minnetonka Middle School West. In past years, Trouvaille seniors enjoyed concerts from the MMW choir students as well as volunteer visits from other service groups. When the COVID-19 pandemic limited visitors to Trouvaille last spring, Minnetonka students and families partnered the senior home to find other ways to stay connected.
"It's been great to see students show initiative and display leadership to build relationships with residents," shared Ann Webb, activities director and volunteer coordinator for Trouvaille Homes. "It's been hard to lose our volunteers during the time of restrictions, so we had to think creatively about how to still serve our community and stay in touch!"
Webb shared the opportunity for virtual engagement with Tonka Serves, the District's program that coordinates volunteering and community service to serve the greater good. "Tonka Serves' partnerships with nonprofit organizations in our area provide our students and families with up-to-date resources to help connect to volunteer opportunities that fit their interests," explained Sarah Johnson, Minnetonka Schools' Community Service Specialist. "We work with a student or family to find ways for them to use their gifts and talents to give back to others, so we were eager to work with Trouvaille and help connect our students and families with unique, meaningful ways to reach their residents."
Johnson shared the Trouvaille opportunity with Minnetonka families through the Tonka Serves website and parent communications at District schools. "We knew there would be a strong desire to help," said Johnson.
Students and families from across Minnetonka answered the call, creating videos of students playing with pets, performing music and dancing to engage Trouvaille residents and make them smile. "One student even dropped off canvases of her personal paintings to display," Webb shared.
Families also worked together to build craft kits for seniors to complete, both donating items and assembling the projects for Trouvaille. "For the families, it may not have seemed like a lot, but with memory care, careful preparation helps residents to complete the project and feel successful. It really brightens their days and makes them proud," said Webb. "Something like that may be simple for volunteers, but for residents, it makes such a big difference, to make something meaningful in their day."
Webb expressed gratitude for Minnetonka students and families and shared a message of thanks for each person's efforts. "We didn't get to meet face to face, so I wanted to thank everyone," said Webb. "It's been great to have young people displaying their talents and connecting. The residents want to thank volunteers personally as well, they appreciate the effort, the art and all the performances."
For Webb, the greatest impact of volunteers' efforts is in the small ways these actions have sustained relationships. "It's important because we knew we could still be in touch with each other, and the residents knew we were not so isolated," shared Webb. "They knew they were still part of the community."
