A Day of Rest, Renewal,

& Rejuvenation for Caregivers

Caregivers give so much every day, often with little time to recharge.
We see you.
We understand the weight of the responsibility—the long nights, the stress, and the emotional toll.
It’s time for renewal and filling up YOUR tank.
Come share a day with caregivers and those who love them.
Be rejuvenated in mind and spirit.
This day is all about you.
Imagine a day where you can step away from your daily demands; a day where you’re not just acknowledged but deeply valued. A day to treat yourself to connection with others on the same journey.
This isn’t just another event-it’s a sanctuary for your soul. You’ll find laughter, maybe shed a few tears, and most importantly, a supportive community of people who truly understand your journey.

 

We understand your biggest concern might be, “Who will care for my loved one while I’m away?”
It’s hard to step away, even for a day, but we believe your well-being is essential, for you and for those you care for.
This day is designed to offer you a space where you can truly unplug, knowing that it’s okay to take time for yourself.
Think of this day as an investment in your ability to continue giving.
By allowing yourself to rest and recharge, you’ll return to your loved one with renewed energy, perspective, and strength. You deserve this time, and your loved one deserves a caregiver who is refreshed and rejuvenated.
We want this day to be as affordable as possible, because we want this to be accessible to every caregiver that wants to join us. 
Treat yourself to a day away from your caregiver duties to rest, relax, and rejuvenate your soul.
We are also offering a private reception with Founder of The Lucas Project, Jess Ronne and our incredible speakers to mingle and enjoy some tasty treats. TICKETS ARE LIMITED!

April 26, 2025

Fair Haven Church, Hudsonville, Michigan

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

8:00 – 9:30 – Doors Open

Registration, Coffee, Donuts, Shopping

9:30 – 10:00 – Welcome

10:00 – 11:00 – Speaker

11:00 – 11:30 – Speaker

11:30 – 1:00 – Buffet Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 – Comedian 

2:00 – 3:00 – Art Therapy

3:00 – 3:30 – Speaker

3:30 – 4:30 – Keynote Speaker

4:30 – 5:30 – Closing

 

 

Individual Tickets:

Early Bird Pricing (Until January 1st, 2025): $99

After January 1st, 2025: $120

Group Bundle of 6 Tickets: $500

Optional Meet & Greet Add-On: $50

Sponsor A Caregiver: $120

Read Bio

Lisa Whittle is an author, speaker, Bible Teacher, Ministry Leader, and podcast host of Jesus Over Everything. She is a self proclaimed feisty work- in progress and lover of Jesus. She has also launched many ministries and strives to serve Him in all she does.

Her family is her safe place. She has 5 best friends: her husband of 27 years, her 3 kids, and her daughter-in-law. Good food, good conversation and a good sale are her love languages. Her life isn’t easy or perfect, but it’s beautiful.

She is the author of several books and studies, including her most recent I Want God.

To learn more about Lisa, check out her website at https://www.lisawhittle.com/

Read Bio

Jessica Ronne is an author, speaker, podcast host of Coffee With Caregivers, associate producer of the “UNSEEN” documentary, and caregiver advocate. She is the founder and executive director of The Lucas Project, a nonprofit dedicated to serving parent caregivers with recognition, respite and resources.

Jess and her husband Ryan live in Michigan with their eight children, including their son Lucas who has profound disabilities.

Her story of beauty from ashes is detailed in her memoir, Sunlight Burning at Midnight. To follow the ongoing saga, she can be found at jessplusthemess.com or by reading her most recent books, Blended With Grit & Grace, Lovin’ With Grit & Grace, and Caregiving With Grit & Grace.

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Dr. Tabatha Barber has dedicated her life to giving women a voice and a choice when it comes to their health and well-being. Overcoming the challenges of being a high school dropout and teenage mother, she emerged as a successful physician through faith and perseverance.

Her unwavering commitment to women’s health is evident through her triple board certifications in obstetrics and gynecology, menopause, and functional medicine. As the driving force behind her thriving medical practice, Dr. Tabatha and her team provide compassionate support and care to women nationwide. Through her podcast, Gutsy Gyn supplement line, and her international best-selling book Fast to Faith, she shares insights into the importance of gut health, hormone balance, mindset, and most importantly, nourishing the soul to truly heal and become whole. She is a beacon of light in a sea of medical darkness.


Read Bio

Referred to as one of Chicago’s best clean female comedians and speakers, Tracy DeGraaf has made a name for herself with her one-woman comedy show “Life Happens, Laugh Anyway.”

Rebellious Magazine has high praises of DeGraaf’s work.

DeGraaf pulls material from her experiences as a middle-aged woman, wife, mother of five sons and breast cancer survivor. She’s the perfect fit for Girls Night Out, Date Night, Women’s Conferences, Fundraisers, Corporate, Non-profit and Breast Cancer Awareness Events.

DeGraaf is the author of Laugh Anyway Mom and co-host of the weekly podcast, Life Happens Laugh Anyway. She was trained for comedy at The Second City in Chicago. She is happily married to her husband, Ron (a.k.a. Muffin) since 1989 and they live in the Chicago area where they are now empty nesters. She travels nationwide.

Read Bio

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Marna Pacheco is passionate about her faith, her coffee, her plaid’s, and would play Christmas music and ABBA all-year-long if it were socially acceptable. Despite childhood trauma, undiagnosed ADHD, and losing her first husband in a tragic accident when she was just 21—Marna’s journey is defined by mind-boggling resilience and grit.

As an adoptive mother to a daughter with profound special needs, she feels intensely for caregivers, who are often unseen. She intimately understands the relentless exhaustion, isolation, and judgment that caregivers endure daily.

To help and better understand her daughter, Marna immersed herself in extensive research on attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and neuroscience. In true mother-of-necessity-fashion she invented, patented, and manufactured a line of wearable weighted products to become an accidental but proud female entrepreneur.

Now in a new chapter of life, Marna has an unwavering belief in the intrinsic value of every life and cares deeply about encouraging others, letting them know they are seen and heard, not alone in their journey. She seeks to provide even one drop of hope to every person she encounters.

Marna currently resides in Northern Indiana with her husband and daughter, with an older daughter also living in the area.

Read Bio

Lindsay Criswell is a daughter, a big sister, a wife, a friend, a mother of three young boys, and the owner of Branch and Stone Studio

Lindsay’s boys inspired her studio and blog. Her oldest shares her love of art and writing. Her middle child can be found with his head in a book and is on the Autism Spectrum. While her youngest child was born medically complex and is diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech, it does not stop him from keeping everyone on their “toes” while talking their “ears off.” He also loves to get messy and creative in the studio.

As a visual artist, instructor, writer, illustrator, advocate, business owner and now a cancer survivor, Lindsay’s mission is to share knowledge, encouragement, and love. Fueled by much faith in God, a hubby she can count on, and ample amounts of coffee. Lindsay balances the time challenges of family and running Branch and Stone Studio, a creative haven, and blog for all ages and abilities where everyone is celebrated. 

Lindsay also partners with the local Board of Developmental Disabilities, and many local schools to help bring awareness, support, and art. She currently runs a support group where parents of children with additional needs receive resources and an opportunity to share struggles while their children including siblings get to create art. She has headed numerous large events for caregivers and families with different themes and purposes. 

Lindsay released a children’s book she authored and illustrated for young elementary students in 2022. She is currently working on a middle-grade novel. She is thankful for the opportunity to serve her family, friends, community, and readers while doing what she loves. Lindsay hopes to make a larger impact outside of her local community while continuing to help locally. 

Read Bio

Leah K Lawrence resides in the rural midwest and frequently walks in the hayfields with her grandchildren as they visit with the cats, dogs, chickens, cows and miniature donkey, Jenny. Two of her grandchildren have special needs, and their experiences with neurodivergence as well as her own have heightened her desire to make a difference using her gifts.Leah seeks to serve God by developing community art projects for various groups who might otherwise be forgotten by organized religion.

As a self-trained and self-initiated artist, Leah K Lawrence has studied and learned from the painterly masters and has learned numerous art-making techniques. These intense self-studies of the great artists, their works and techniques along with her pioneering and experimental mindset have helped her become accomplished in many mediums and genres. Leah consistently and fearlessly crosses barriers of style, form, and medium in her career as an artist.

Read Bio

Coming Soon

This is a one-day event, however, for those who are traveling or relish a place to refresh, here are some  recommendations.
Holiday Inn Express Grand Rapids SW
4651 36th St SW, Grandville, MI 49418
(877) 859-5095
Springhill Suites Grand Rapids West
4274 Parkway Place Dr SW, Grandville, MI 49418
(844)631-0595

Hampton Inn & Suites Grandville Grand Rapids South
4755 Wilson Ave SW, Grandville, MI 49418
(616)752-7755

Does your church or group want to support caregivers? In an effort to make this as accessible to as many caregivers as possible, please ask your church or organization to sponsor a table! Sponsoring a table is a perfect way to help you and others get the rest, renewal, and rejuvenation you need. Reach out at [email protected] for more details.

Cancellations up to 30 days prior to the event will be refunded 50% of the total price. Cancellations 29 days or less will not be refunded, and the ticket becomes a charitable donation to The Lucas Project.

Private ticket transfers to another caregiver will be processed until February 28th, 2025.

Meet and Greet Add-Ons are not eligible for transfer.

Cancellation or Transfer requests can be submitted by emailing [email protected] to receive a refund according to the above cancellation policy.

Help us support special needs caregivers.