It’s hard to believe that 5 years have gone by since Parkinson’s Pointe opened its doors in the fall of 2019 in a small dance studio on Nichols street in Centennial.  The community helped us celebrate with a grand opening celebration and fundraiser that allowed us to pay our rent and instructor fees and offer programming at no charge to our members from the beginning.  Exercise classes grew quickly with yoga, boxing, and strength and balance filling rapidly.

None of us could have imagined what was around the corner, though.  When the pandemic hit we quickly moved all our classes to a virtual platform and like everyone else navigated the new technology and difficult changes.  You expressed how vital that outlet, movement and connection was and how grateful you were that we kept programs going.  And we felt the same, thankful we had this community to connect and inspire us to keep moving forward. 

The pandemic brought to life the very reason I felt it was so important to create Parkinson’s Pointe.  Without community and connection with others going through the same things we are, it is very difficult to manage Parkinson’s Disease. We may know it is critical to exercise, eat well and manage our stress and sleep.  However, actually being able to make those lifestyle changes and overcome daily challenges is incredibly difficult.  In my day to day practice, I noticed that patients that were connected with a peer mentor and introduced to the PD community navigated much better.  Especially those who had a higher level of self efficacy, aka confidence, and resilience.  Since these are skills that we learn throughout life and in the PD SELF program were enhanced, it all clicked.  

• What if we have one place where people with Parkinson’s and their carepartners can come to connect, engage in mentorship, exercise safely, address emotional health and strengthen their self efficacy and resilience? 
•  What would that do for people directly impacted by Parkinson’s?  
• How would that impact the greater community?

And the mission was simple; to provide a community for support and programs that improve the quality of life for people impacted by Parkinson’s disease.  With a bigger vision to influence how chronic disease is managed by creating a center for community based wellness that supports all people impacted by Parkinson’s Disease.

Over these last 5 years we have grown.  With support from our members,  generous donations and grants from the William I Smith Family Foundation, the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Daniels Fund, and the Perry Foundation in our first couple of years, we have been able to growngrow our programs and doubled the number of people we serve are serving annually.  These funds have also been crucial in Parkinson’s Pointe’s ability to work with a team of consultants that have helped create a more sustainable future.

Meet the Team: 

Dana Pate is our development director and the first person to join the team.  Dana has a long history of cultivating sustainability for nonprofits and has generously shared her expertise with us.  She has developed our giving program and our annual donor appreciation event which is our main fundraiser of the year.  

Have questions about the giving?  Email Dana at Dana@ParkinsonsPointe.org

Paula Ransom is our board development director.  Through her long history of working with nonprofit boards and managing teams, Paula has cultivated a skill set that allows us to engage an active and passionate board.   

Have questions about the board?  Email Paula at Paula@ParkinsonsPointe.org

Jen Flavin is our grant writer.  She brings a wealth of expertise in not only grant writing, but social work, and development from her time at Habitat for Humanity and other non profits.  Jen has been key in researching, writing and cultivating relationships with potential and existing grant sources, helping to create sustainability and diversity in Parkinson’s Pointe’s funding.

Have questions about grants?  Email Jen at Grants@ParkinsonsPointe.org

Bethany Labue is our joint community outreach and member engagement director.  Many of you may see Bethany around the center greeting you, making you sweat in a spin class or sharing with you during Ccoffee and Cconnect.  Bethany has been key in creating a warm and welcoming environment for our members and essential in helping us connect and collaborate with the community.

Have questions about membership?  Email Bethany at Bethany@ParkinsonsPointe.org

Karen Cima-Thornhill is our marketing expert and is the face behind our beautiful website.  She is supported by our marketing committee who put together a monthly newsletter, social media posts and a multi-faceted approach to letting people know who we are and what Parkinsons Pointe has to offer.

Questions about marketing?  Email Karen at karenct@parkinsonspointe.org

Meredith Roberts Lo, DPT is our founder and program director.  Meredith connects the research with the development of programs to that will make a long term impact on the community.  She provides training and support to instructors to expand Parkinson’s Pointe impact and connects the medical community to our wellness community to work together for the good of all.  

Questions about programming or Parkinson’s?  Email Meredith at meredith@parkinsonspointe.org