Living Wellness is the innovative creation of two compassionate sisters:
We are committed to supporting parents/guardian’s invaluable labor of love for children with severe emotional disturbances and behavioral challenges. We recognize that caregivers encounter significant hurdles while raising children with mental health disorders and that prioritizing their well-being is essential not only for themselves but also for the children they care for.
We firmly believe in the transformative power of self-care, giving caregivers this time to relax, have a date night, enjoy a hobby, or enjoy other self-care activities to recharge; at the same time, offering compassionate care without judgment that benefits both caregivers and their families.
We offer a nurturing environment of skilled providers who provide a safe and inclusive environment that celebrates each child’s unique needs and abilities. We actively collaborate with various organizations as community partners to raise awareness about the critical importance of respite care. Our mission extends to educating the community, advocating for necessary resources, and providing practical solutions that empower caregivers to take the time they need to recharge, reduce child abuse & neglect, and strengthen family unity.
Our Mission is to
provide a safe, loving, reliable, and nurturing environment for children
with mental health conditions while also empowering and supporting
their families.
Our Vision is for
children and families to have a flourishing future.
Kenya Patterson is the CEO/Founder of Do Over Project and Living Wellness Respite Retreat. She was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and a Master of Science in Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.
As a trained and certified mental health professional, Kenya has dedicated more than two decades to providing support services for families and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED). Patterson is a life coach and subject matter expert in mental health and parenting skills and is a certified CSAYP.
In 2018, Kenya opened Do Over Project, a certified mental health service provider. She leads a team of behavioral health professionals that render impactful Habilitation, Family Support Training, Respite, and Home and Community Based solutions for individuals and families throughout Indiana. To serve more children, she and Shana Whiting opened Living Wellness Respite Retreat, a licensed home-based respite facility, to provide short-term relief for primary caregivers.
When not traveling, Kenya enjoys spending time with her husband, grandson, and four adult children, serving in ministry, dancing/fitness, and enjoying live music. She credits her humorous, bubbly, and cheerful nature as attributes from God. Her optimistic disposition is based on the belief that no one is ever too lost to be saved and that you have a purpose if you have breath. By encouraging others to exchange their fears and failures for self-confidence and success, Kenya has created a platform for others to experience a do-over.
Shana Whiting is the COO/Co-Founder of Living Wellness Respite Retreat. She, too, was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Indianapolis. As a former senior care and psychiatric nurse at one of the region's leading healthcare facilities, Shana provided high-quality care for some of the most vulnerable populations.
Today, she is a certified DMHA provider and leads daily care for youth that are Severely Emotional Handicap. She understands the importance of prioritizing self-care and brings a great deal of compassion to respite care. Shana's goal is to ensure caregivers of SED youth have the opportunity to recharge, rejuvenate, and enjoy quality self-time.
As the COO of Living Wellness Respite Retreat, her priority is ensuring safety, mental wellness, and proper balance. Her decision to co-found LWRR stems from her passion for being a part of a community that operates from a place of hope. She strives to support caregivers and youth in their search to find healthy perceptions of themselves while strengthening their familial relationships.
Whiting is a licensed CPR instructor and owner of Happy Hands CPR and 1st Aid Training.
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