(Greg & Jodie pictured with Mayor Brede)
Health Care Crisis and Recovery
In 2007, Greg and Jodie were leading active, fulfilling lives until serious health issues led them to attend Mayo Clinic’s Pain Rehabilitation Center (PRC). It is a 3-week program that benefited both Greg and Jodie tremendously. Prior to attending the PRC, Jodie had been on bed rest 20 hours/day for 3 years. At the end of their 3 weeks, both Greg and Jodie were on their feet full days. They’ve remained on their feet, living active lives, ever since. Although they did not attend the PRC at the same time, Greg and Jodie met each other at one of the PRC’s one-day follow-up programs. As each patient shared what was currently going on in their lives, Greg and Jodie recognized a similar set of goals and values in each other. They both were determined to approach each day with hope and determination. Both were committed to living full, joy-filled lives despite the fact that they live with chronic pain. The PRC staff asked them to share their stories in the PRC each week to the current PRC patients and their families which Greg and Jodie enjoyed doing from 2010 to 2020.
Serenity House Opens with One Fully Furnished Apartment
In the fall of 2008, Greg was also exploring options for using his vacant rental home. One night he prayed that God would show him what to do. The next day, not knowing Greg had prayed that prayer, Jodie brought up the idea of opening a guesthouse for Mayo Clinic patients. Both Greg and Jodie felt an immediate excitement for this new idea. They both longed for God to use their own medical experiences to support and encourage other patients in the sometimes overwhelming process of being a Mayo Clinic patient. They were very excited at the possibility of sharing their experience, strength and hope with others.
Serenity House Network: Healing Homes
Jodie and her family teamed with Greg and his family to start Serenity House Network, LLC. Serenity House Network (SHN) started with Greg’s home in September 2008, and has grown into a network of homes that have been converted to help meet the needs of Mayo Clinic patients and their families needing short-term or extended medical treatment. Each fully-furnished apartment or private home provides a full kitchen, living room, bedroom(s), bath(s), and garage stall(s). Each home or apartment is within a 10-minute drive of Mayo Clinic and is ultra-clean which is required for transplant and chemotherapy patients. Utilities included in the rental rates are heat/air conditioning, laundry, high speed wireless internet, cable service, and smart TVs. No smoking or pets are allowed in SHN units. SHN homes and apartments are located in established, safe, residential neighborhoods and have outdoor areas for relaxation.
Serenity House Network: Helping Hands
For health reasons, Jodie retired from her full-time position at Serenity House Network in 2017. She has remained involved through volunteering and is currently the Volunteer Coordinator for guest support services. Please see the “Support Services” page for more information. That support will be determined by each guest’s individual needs. Each guest’s needs will be unique, as will what Jodie and volunteers are able to offer during their specific stay in Rochester. If the SHN guests are interested in spiritual support, Jodie and volunteers will offer them prayer support. The Serenity House team considers it a privilege to be able to meet each person who stays at Serenity House Network. They hope to be a blessing to each guest in return.