Gathering Place

The Gathering Place program is a FREE half-day activity program created to encourage socialization and engagement in an environment where everyone feels at ease. We believe in creating moments of joy and connection, regardless of memory loss challenges.

Participants can enjoy a variety of activities, including music, creative expression, physical activity, wellness activities, and a delightful lunch. Each element is carefully chosen to provide a failure-free, fulfilling experience.

We partner with faith groups and community organizations to host monthly Gathering Place programs. Partners provide space and volunteers who are trained by CarePartners to serve as guides throughout the day, offering companionship and fun for individuals living with memory loss. These volunteers are an integral part of creating a supportive and joyful atmosphere.

Who We Serve

The Gathering Place is more than just a program; it is a warm and inviting community for individuals with mild to moderate memory loss. We focus on creating an inclusive space where individuals can thrive and make meaningful connections.

Caregivers are an essential part of the journey. While loved ones are participating in The Gathering Place, we invite caregivers to join in the fun or take some time away. This is a great opportunity to relax and recharge their batteries, reconnect with friends, and attend to their own health, errands, or personal business.

Families can participate in as many Gathering Place programs each month as they wish. We understand that caregiving can be challenging, and our goal is to offer consistent opportunities for socialization and respite.

What to expect at a Gathering Place:

A Gathering Place is never “typical”. Volunteers take pride in providing creative and festive ways to encourage participation, and every Gathering Place program incorporates a holistic approach to engagement and socialization.

Here are the basic elements of every Gathering Place:

To find a Gathering Place near you, enter your zip code:

Your current location
Program
Caregiver Consultation
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Caregiver Education
Explore our Caregiver education events available via webinar and in person across Houston. Visit our Caregiver Event calendar for detailed information. Click here.
Brentwood Baptist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Chapelwood United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
Christ Church Sugar Land
Program: Gathering Place
Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Church
Program: Gathering Place, Second Family
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Church
Program: Gathering Place
Clear Lake Presbyterian Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Clear Lake United Methodist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Congregation Beth Yeshurun
Program: Gathering Place
Congregation Emanu El
Program: Gathering Place
Cypress Bible Church
Program: Gathering Place
Dementia Day Center
Program: Dementia Day Center
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Program: Gathering Place
Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Community, Katy
Program: Gathering Place
First Methodist Conroe
Program: Gathering Place
First Methodist Humble
Program: Gathering Place
Friendswood United Methodist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Grace Presbyterian Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Houston’s First Baptist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Kingwood United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
Klein United Methodist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Lakewood United Methodist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place, Second Family
Living Word Lutheran Church, Katy
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Program: Gathering Place, Second Family
Memorial Drive United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
Messiah Lutheran Church, Cypress
Program: Second Family
New Faith Church
Program: Gathering Place
Seabrook United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
South Main Baptist Church — Pasadena
Program: Gathering Place
Spring Branch Presbyterian Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. Anne Catholic
Program: Second Family
St. Cecilia Catholic Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. Francis Episcopal Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. John the Divine Episcopal
Program: Gathering Place
St. John Vianney Catholic Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. Martha Catholic, Kingwood
Program: Second Family
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Katy
Program: Gathering Place
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Katy
Program: Gathering Place
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church
Program: Gathering Place
St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
The Woodlands United Methodist Church
Program: Common Ground, Gathering Place
Trinity East United Methodist Church
Program: Gathering Place
Zion Lutheran Church
Program: Gathering Place

Register to learn more:

To ensure that our host sites have enough space, pre-registration is required. Please register in advance to secure your spot.

FAQs

If you have any questions beyond those listed, please feel free to reach out to us.

No. Participants do not need to have a formal diagnosis of dementia. Individuals with mild to moderate memory loss who could benefit from socialization are eligible to attend.

Families interested in attending a Gathering Place can complete this contact form or call us at 713-682-5995. The CarePartners Intake Assistant will complete a registration form over the phone that helps us to serve the potential participant. Once registered, the participant’s family will receive a welcome email from the Care Team Coordinator and from the site volunteers.

No. CarePartners is an inclusive organization that partners with places of faith to host the Gathering Place Program. Our partners welcome all people to participate, regardless of religion.

Through the generous support of our host sites, volunteers, donors, and foundation support, we can offer this program at no cost. If you would like to learn more about supporting the Gathering Place program, please visit our donation page.

After bringing their loved one inside, caregivers can stay with their loved one or return at the end of the session. While participants generally have the freedom to attend independently, there may be specific situations where a caregiver is kindly requested to stay. These instances include the first time a participant attends a Gathering Place, when the participant requires assistance in the restroom, or when additional support is needed during mealtime.

Absolutely! After participating in their initial Gathering Place, families can reach out to us about attending other locations.

We start a waitlist if a particular Gathering Place program host site has reached its capacity, based on factors such as:

  1. Volunteer-to-participant ratio: We maintain a 1:1 volunteer-to-participant ratio, to provide engagement and support for every single participant.
  2. Physical space: the physical space dedicated to programs is provided through the generosity of our host sites. The size of the space varies from site to site.

As openings become available, we contact individuals on the waitlist. When possible, we offer nearby Gathering Place programs as an alternative until space is available at the preferred location.

You can sign up to be a volunteer on our volunteer contact page. All CarePartners volunteers must be trained and pass a background check.

Yes! It is important to register first so we can ensure availability and that the team is prepared to care for your loved one. Registration also helps us to better understand your unique needs and allows us to connect you with other CarePartners programs that can help you on your journey.