Tonita Jenkins’ baby was born with a broken heart that doctors said would never mend.
Eighteen years later, with her son Jordan looking forward to college, Ms. Jenkins wants to provide help to others to mirror the help she and Jordan received. That's the reason she opened Heart Connection Adult Day Care Center in the Mercy Junction Justice and Peace Center in Highland Park.
During her pregnancy with Jordan, there was no indication anything was wrong. But the moment Jordan was born, everything changed.
The new mom and baby were on their way to Vanderbilt University Hospital when Jordan was just two days old.
Jordan had been born with complex congenital heart defect, corrected transposition of the great arteries, pulmonary stenosis, and ventricular septal defect.
His heart was broken.
Today, Jordan is a strong and healthy senior at Central High. But that’s not the case with all adults who have conditions similar to those Jordan overcame.
"More and more babies with conditions like Jordan’s are surviving, but may never be able to enjoy complete independence," Ms. Jenkins says. "As adults they need a place to go during the day. That's why I've established Heart Connection."
Ms. Jenkins has many years experience in care giving for adults who need assistance with daily living, beginning her career caring for clients in their homes in 2000. Since then, she has dreamed of opening a center – the kind of center she imagined Jordan would need as he matured. “Having been so blessed that he doesn’t need it, I still want to provide it to those who do need it,” she said.
The mission of Heart Connection is to be the most loving, safe, secure and nurturing environment for clients who have been identified by family members and/or health care professionals as needing a social environment, consistent supervision, and assistance performing their activities of daily living, according to Ms. Jenkins, a 45-year-old native of Chattanooga.
Adults who come to the center have the opportunity to interact with peers. "This is important," Ms. Jenkins said, "because so often they have been isolated socially."
The colors of the Center are brilliant purples, reds and golds. “I want clients to feel like royalty,” she said.
Heart Connection is for adults age 18 and older who need assistance with daily activities, such as preparing their food, feeding themselves, going to the restroom – or who simply need supervision. A continental breakfast is served, a hot home-cooked lunch and an afternoon snack.
Programs at Heart Connection are individualized, but include:
- Mental stimulation through games, such as bingo, dominoes, and Scrabble;
- Arts and crafts;
- Indoor golfing;
- Wii contests;
- Karaoke;
- Pet therapy; and
- Pool and Foosball.
Located at 1918 Union Ave., the 1,600-square-foot center is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., with evening hours and weekends available by request. For more information about Heart Connection Adult Day Care Center, call 423-635-0732 or email heartconnectionadcc@gmail.com.