Celebrating 10 Years of The Green House Model at The Woodlands — and the Residents Who Made It Possible
Marilyn Blessing shares her story as one of the JKV residents who were instrumental in bringing the Green House Model® to The Woodlands
“I vividly remember being at John Knox Village for the grand opening of The Woodlands ten years ago—the energy and excitement, and the clear sense that something truly meaningful had been created. What made it so powerful then, and remains so today, is that it was a resident-driven vision brought to life. A decade later, JKV stands as a compelling example of what’s possible when community is shaped by dignity, connection, and belonging.” — Susan Frazier Ryan, CEO, The Green House Model®
This summer, John Knox Village (JKV) celebrates the 10th anniversary of bringing The Green House Model® of care to its campus—a milestone made possible by the vision and determination of its own residents. Founded in 2003 by Dr. Bill Thomas, The Green House Model® is a nonprofit, internationally recognized approach to eldercare that replaces traditional nursing homes with residential-style homes featuring private bedrooms and bathrooms centered around a shared living room and hearth, open kitchen, and dining area. John Knox Village in Pompano Beach became the first senior living community in Florida to adopt the innovative model after a coalition of independent living residents championed its implementation at The Woodlands.
Today, The Woodlands features twelve Green House homes—two on each of its six floors dedicated to skilled nursing, in addition to dedicated floors for rehab, for both residents and non-residents. In total, 144 private rooms are designed to foster meaningful relationships, dignity, and a true sense of home.
To commemorate the anniversary, JKV President and CEO Melissa B. Honig recently hosted a special celebration honoring the residents whose leadership and perseverance helped bring The Green House Model® to John Knox Village. The event also introduced newer residents to this important chapter in the community’s history, with several of the original resident advocates sharing firsthand stories about the years-long effort that transformed long-term care at JKV.
Honig, who was appointed President and CEO in October 2025, has a longstanding connection to John Knox Village and a deep appreciation for its resident-centered philosophy.
“My first relationship with JKV was in 2011 during my work with The Green House Project, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation initiative,” said Honig. “I have long been inspired by JKV’s commitment to forward-thinking senior living solutions. JKV continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to creating a person-directed care environment that enriches the lives of both residents and team members.”
Susan Frazier Ryan, The Green House Model® CEO, says, “I vividly remember being at John Knox Village for the grand opening of The Woodlands ten years ago—the energy and excitement, and the clear sense that something truly meaningful had been created. What made it so powerful then, and remains so today, is that it was a resident-driven vision brought to life. A decade later, JKV stands as a compelling example of what’s possible when community is shaped by dignity, connection, and belonging.”
Unlike traditional nursing homes, The Green House Model® centers on three guiding principles: meaningful lives, real homes, and empowered staff. Residents enjoy freshly prepared meals, flexible daily routines, and caregivers known as Shahbazim — a Persian term meaning “royal falcon”, used in modern eldercare to describe versatile direct-care workers who protect and nurture seniors. Shahbazim build close, personal relationships with the people they support by understanding each resident as an individual. Supported by clinical teams, Guides, and volunteer Sages, this collaborative approach has been shown to strengthen family involvement, improve quality of life, increase resident independence, and boost staff satisfaction and retention.
Looking ahead, Honig plans to build upon that foundation through a multi-year cultural and operational partnership with The Green House Project® (now AgingIN). The initiative will strengthen staff education, expand internal training, and reinforce the person-directed philosophy that has distinguished John Knox Village for the past decade. Honig adds, “The Green House Model is about growing people, and we’re honored to fulfill that decade-long commitment into the future.”
John Knox Village (JKV)
For almost 60 years, JKV has set the bar when it comes to delivering an all-inclusive resort lifestyle designed for living life to the fullest at each stage of retirement. JKV emphasizes fitness and overall well-being with world-class programming, state-of-the-art amenities, healthy and delicious dining, and much more. Residents are entitled to unlimited use of healthcare services and 24/7 healthcare professionals on campus. There are no time or financial limits on the long-term care benefits that residents receive, regardless of the level of care required. Simply put, a life plan agreement at JKV provides a fiscal safety net with an unparalleled community geared to a wide range of needs, whatever the road ahead brings.
Want to learn more about what John Knox Village has to offer? Contact us today to take a tour or for a no-pressure conversation with one of our Life Plan Consultants.
