It’s a wonderful life for these associates
Like the character George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, Jennifer Parks believes we all make a difference in the lives we touch at Beacon Health System.
No matter our job title or role we play.
But on the subject of roles, Parks is one of three associates involved with the holiday production at South Bend Civic Theater.
Parks, manager in the referral relations department at Beacon Home Care in South Bend, is part of the props team. David Weist, an occupational therapist at Elkhart General Hospital, stars in the lead role of George Bailey in the production that runs through Dec. 23.
Jewel Abram-Copenhaver, organization development and effectiveness consultant and innovation lead faculty and class designer at Beacon, is once again seated in the director’s chair. It’s a Wonderful Life marks her 25th production in 17 years at South Bend Civic.
Abram-Copenhaver believes the story serves as a reminder of what Christmas is all about.
“To me, it’s a story about receiving and giving grace,” Abram-Copenhaver says. “For George and all of us, we give grace by touching lives with our genuine love, caring and connection with others. We receive grace each and every day from our mentors, friends, family, coworkers and anyone else who brings love and caring into our life.”
Parks describes how every encounter we have in life, work and home – and in theater, too, is a chance to give someone else hope.
“George runs out of hope, like we all do sometimes,” Parks says. “But he regains his hope through the love of his family and friends. We all hope that we are loved that much.”
Share your story
Do you volunteer your time and talents in our community? Contact us at TheBeam@BeaconHealthSystem.org and we may share your story.
