August 2023 Special Needs Living Akron/Canton

GENTLEBROOK Connecting People & Community

BY SARAH SMITH

GentleBrook is a nonprofit entity dedicated to delivering a range of programs and services to benefit people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, seniors, and the broader community within Stark, Coshocton, and Holmes Counties. The organization was founded in 1974 by Glen and Lois Yoder, along with a caring and compassionate group of church and community leaders, to provide a home for individuals with developmental disabilities. The first facility, Hartville Homes, now called Hartville Meadows, opened in 1982 as a 32-bed residential home. GentleBrook focuses on potential and not limitations to help its clients and residents live a fulfilling life that is rich with opportunities.

While the current reach of GentleBrook has greatly expanded since the inception of the business, each new venture has remained true to the original vision of the founders.

“GentleBrook believes in connecting people and community through services and businesses,” said Francie Kell, Director of Marketing and Communication. “We serve and support older adults and individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with services and supports that include residential options, adult day programs, and vocational training. We believe all human life is a sacred gift and most fulfilled in community with others.”

GentleBrook fosters independence for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities by offering education opportunities through support services and residential services, including intermediate care facilities (ICF) in Hartville and West Lafayette in Coshocton County. The HomeStead, an assisted living and memory care facility located in Hartville opened in 2017. In July of 2022, GentleBrook took over as the developmental disability service provider for Holmes County. The organization’s services are person centered, not prescriptive.

“We are definitely unique in that we not only provide I/DD services, but we also provide senior services, as well as two businesses that are open to the community, our greenhouse and our sportsplex,” Francie added. When asked why he likes working at the greenhouse, Christian, one of GentleBrook’s clients, stated, “I love it! I like to make money and I like the cats.”

There are many support services at the Hartville location. Adult day services include the GentleBrook Greenhouse and Farm where vocational skills are developed as participants tend to small animals and vegetables, plants, herbs, and flowers. Vocational habilitation and communityintegrated groups work at the Hartville Hardware store, in housekeeping, and at the Hartville Thrift Shoppe. GentleBrook’s Hartville location provides non-medical transportation. This summer, GentleBrook opened a brand new six bed ICF. “One size does not fit all. A range of needs exists, and we are pleased to now offer a range of options to meet those needs with the opening of this ICF,” said GentleBrook’s CEO, Norm Wengerd.

GentleBrook’s West Lafayette campus has six intermediate care facilities. Each one provides a homelike atmosphere, social and recreational activities, 24hour supervision and on-site nursing services, individual work training support, and therapeutic services.

In Holmesville in Holmes County, GentleBrook offers adult day services.

GentleBrook provides residential options for seniors looking to age in place. The Homestead is an assisted living and memory care facility. The Villas is GentleBrook’s newest addition. The independent senior condominium community for people ages 55+ is located off Woodland St. SW in Hartville and building sites are available for purchase.

GentleBrook serves the community through two businesses in Hartville. The SportsPlex is an indoor sports recreation center with a full basketball court and a 7,500 sq. ft. turfed multisport training facility for individual and team use. The GentleBrook Greenhouse and Farm has a wide selection of beautiful bedding plants, hanging baskets, house plants, and succulents. It is open to the public from spring through fall.

“Our people are our greatest asset,” Francie stated. “The rewards of working in this field are not easily found in other labor sectors. The individuals we serve become our family, and we become their family. The ability to have such a profound impact on someone’s life is hard to put into words, but if you ask anyone on our team, they will tell you just how much they pour their hearts into their work because of it. We have been blessed with a core team of folks – from frontline workers to our management team – who continue to go above and beyond to ensure our residents receive the best care possible.”

GentleBrook is located at 880 Sunnyside St. SW in Hartville. More information can be found at www.gentlebrook.org or by calling 330-877-7700.