Discovering Creativity with poem RENOVATION

This summer, leaders from United Church Homes’ (UCH) central office and five UCH communities gathered at the UCH Columbus office for a facilitator training event, bringing a unique creative experience to the older adults we serve. The focus of this training was poem RENOVATION, a web-based daily word program founded by Kelly de la Rocha in 2022.

Kelly de la Rocha presents to a team at the UCH office in Columbus, Ohio

poem RENOVATION offers a delightful way to engage with literary works by allowing users to “renovate” or re-order the words, creating entirely new poetic expressions. With the motto “no rules, just create!” this platform encourages participants to explore their creativity without boundaries.

To ensure our residents could fully experience the joy of poem RENOVATION, Kelly de la Rocha embarked on a road trip to several UCH communities. During her visits, she introduced this innovative program to our residents, who eagerly took to the task of arranging and rearranging words to create their own unique works of art. The program has not only captivated the residents but has also inspired our staff, who joined in the creative process.

A remarkable example of this creative engagement occurred at The Harmar Place Community, a skilled nursing community in Marietta, Ohio, where residents participated in a workshop and recreated the works nearly 30 times, each time producing something entirely new. This continuous reinvention has been a wonderful way for residents to explore different interpretations and meanings.

A resident at The Harmar Place Community, along with her husband, work on a printed-out version of the program

The response across the organization has been overwhelmingly positive. The residents have found great enjoyment in the freedom and creativity poem RENOVATION offers, using it as a way to express themselves and explore their imaginations. “It’s amazing to see how a simple shift in words can create an entirely new meaning,” said one resident.

An employee shared, “This has been such a fun and engaging activity. It really gets my creative juices flowing, and it’s something I look forward to every day.”

It’s a fantastic tool for stimulating mental engagement and fostering a sense of community, as participants share their creations with one another.

“We’re thrilled to see how Poem RENOVATION will spark a new wave of creativity and joy within our communities,” said Rev. Dr. Kenneth Daniel who introduced UCH to the program. “It’s more than just a word game; it’s an opportunity for self-expression and a celebration of the artistic spirit within each individual.”

Rev. Dr. Kenneth Daniel, Kelly de la Rocha and Andrea Mericle at The Parkvue Community

Kelly de la Rocha expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It was such a joy to share poem RENOVATION with Ohio’s UCH communities and to see the program in action there. I heard it spark laughter and conversation, watched it give voice to those who struggle to communicate and saw it spotlight the creative spirit in all who participated. The experience went beyond that, as well. At The Parkvue Community, a mother and daughter rearranged words together during one of our gatherings. Afterwards, the daughter told me, ‘My mom was putting together words that had things in common. I didn’t think she could do that anymore.’ What a gift, and what a testament to the power of words.”

We invite everyone to experience the fun. Whether you’re a resident, family member, or simply a lover of words, join us in this creative journey by visiting www.poemrenovation.com.