I met Marietta in July of 2024 in a memory care community in Marietta, Ohio. Snowy hair, neatly dressed, she was 99 at the time. I asked if she was named after the town or if the town was named after her and she laughed. Marietta told me she once worked in a bridal shop […]
Here’s where you’ll find us over the next few weeks: Yale Innovation Summit May 28-29, New Haven, CT UPDATE: We were elated to be awarded an audience choice award for Kelly’s live pitch in the arts track at this year’s Yale Innovation Summit! Being part of this event is a win, no matter what. The […]
By Kelly de la Rocha, founder of poemRENOVATION I came to the United Church Homes Entrepreneur in Residence program with carefully-cut-out word blocks and a whole lot of questions. I left with knowledge that will pave my path forward. I’m Kelly de la Rocha, a poet, journalist and founder of poemRENOVATION, an arts-based word challenge. […]
Wanda has a smile at least a mile wide. A community member at The Pines United Church Homes assisted living community, she adds brightness to every gathering. I felt lucky to have her attend all three of the poemRENOVATION workshops I held while there as an entrepreneur in residence. During one workshop, she chose a […]
Mable’s hand shook when she tried to move the poemRENOVATION word blocks around on the table. She struggles to keep her head up straight, so it was difficult to read the words, too. But once she teamed up with Kelly de la Rocha, poemRENOVATION’S founder, collaborative wordplay led to levity. They rearranged the words until […]
Marlene, a member of a memory care community in Marietta, Ohio, spends much of her time sleeping and doesn’t often participate in group activities. The staff was delighted when she decided to try poem RENOVATION. Rev. Patricia Vargas, the community’s chaplain, said she has never seen Marlene more engaged than she was while participating in […]
Whether you’re an educator or an elder care professional, poem RENOVATION makes it easy and fun to bring poetry to life this April. We’ve put together engaging activities for older adults—including those with memory challenges—and exciting classroom ideas to inspire students. Plus, every day this month, poemRENOVATION.com will feature passages centered on hope and rebirth, […]
Looking to create a hard copy version of poem RENOVATION? Here’s how: Go to poemrenovation.com Click on “try poem RENOVATION” Click “Create” Click the “word bank” button at the bottom of the screen When the word bank pops up, screenshot it, crop and print it. We’re working on new software that will make this much […]
We’re so excited to have Ben Bernier on our team this semester. A senior at the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business, Ben’s studies have a focus on entrepreneurship. “Being a marketing intern here at Poem Renovation has brought me the opportunity to utilize my advanced skill sets, creativity, and entrepreneurial thinking in a […]
As a new year begins, we’re welcoming new opportunities to harness the power of language for creativity, self-expression and healing. Read our winter newsletter.