As Summer Comes to a Close, we reflect on some of EngAGE communities’ fun-filled programs offering creativity & connection! Residents took part in gardening, fitness classes, tournaments, art shows, hands-on workshops, field trips, ice cream socials, and intergenerational events—bringing vibrancy and joyfulness to our never-ending community-focus. …..
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EngAGE Gardening Clubs
Resident members rolled up their sleeves and gave our community gardens a fresh new start! Residents worked together to plant, water, and weed the gardening beds. They said goodbye to the last season’s crops and preparing the soil for a brand-new planting season. This season, residents are learning how and when to harvest the fruits of their labor—whether it’s picking ripe vegetables, cutting herbs at their peak, or collecting seeds for future planting.
Gardening provides our residents with fresh vegetables and herbs to prepare nutritional meals for themselves and their families. In addition, the community connection and physical activity both address social determinants of health promoting healthy aging through social connection.
And we all know, there’s something so special about getting your hands in the dirt, working as a team, and looking forward to the bounty ahead.
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Outdoor Fitness & Aqua-Aerobics
Summertime was in full swing at Burbank and NOHO Senior Arts Colonies and The Piedmont Senior Apartments. Residents are stretching and moving and diving into wellness with Aquatic Aerobics and Outdoor Fitness led by Fitness Instructor Jack Witt! These fun and energizing classes are the perfect way to stay active and connected during the warmer months.
With Jack’s upbeat guidance, residents work on strengthening their core, improving cardiovascular endurance, building overall strength, and increasing range of motion—all while enjoying the outdoor breeze and water. One of the key challenges they’re tackling together is balance, and this supportive environment helps everyone feel motivated and encouraged.
It’s been a stretch and a splash of fun, fitness, and community!
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Summer Fun & Fitness
EngAGE hosted the second Chair Volleyball Tournament of the year! It was an action-packed afternoon that brought together residents from both The Piedmont Senior Apartments and Burbank Senior Artists’ Colony (BSAC) for some friendly inter-community rivalry. We kicked off the event with a wonderful performance by the BSAC Choir, followed by lively music from the Piedmont House Band. Following three exciting rounds of spirited play, BSAC emerged victorious, taking home the tournament trophy. A little competition never hurts!
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Multidisciplinary Arts
Residents at Magnolia Villas proudly showcased their creations following art classes presented by Jen LaVita. Friends and family joined to celebrate the artists’ achievements, filling the room with laughter, pride, and encouragement. These twice-monthly classes continue to inspire residents—many discovering creative talents they never knew they had.
After 12 weeks of dedication and imagination with teaching artist, Nelson Leal, Olivera Senior Apartment residents showcased their work in a community art show. Seven resident-artists displayed their sketches and paintings filling the room with pride and joy. Friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate with food, wine, and dancing, making it a true community celebration.
All summer long, residents at Long Beach Senior Arts Colony have been hard at work with ceramicist Melodie Reay! From shaping clay to adding those final creative touches, their visions truly came to life. We’re beating the heat by creating indoors while preparing for an exciting garden-themed exhibition this fall. It’s inspiring to see how much talent, imagination, and joy fills the studio each week.
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EngAGE News: served w/ ice cream
EngAGE hosted a sweet Ice Cream Social at Coventry Court to share some exciting updates with our residents! Under the new ownership of Jonathan Rose Companies, we are thrilled to announce the addition of a dedicated Service Provider role right here in the community. This new role means residents will now have one-on-one support, resources, and referrals to help make life at Coventry Court even more enriching and connected. Our EngAGE staff is excited to continue building community while ensuring residents have the support they need to thrive.
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EngAGE Outings: local excursions
Residents at The Grove Senior Apartments in Garden Grove shared that they were eager for some fresh ocean air — so EngAGE made it happen! On a Friday morning the group headed out early to Newport Beach for a morning of sun, sea, and community.
Long Beach Senior Art Colony residents took a special trip to the California African American Museum for a private docent-led tour. A highlight was the vibrant work of artist Nellie Mae Rowe (1900–1982)—whose inspiring journey and deep meaningful art left residents truly captivated.
Residents of Magnolia @ 9th enjoyed a special outing to see Sinners at a local Cinemark theater. Traveling together by Uber and Lyft, the group arrived at the luxury cinema featuring reclining seats and self-serve drinks. EngAGE provided tickets and treats, ensuring the day was both easy and enjoyable—a true movie-going experience to remember!
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Outdoor Summer Fun in Oregon
Canvas Paintings with Water Blasters: In Art Nook at Broadleaf Arbor, they took creativity outdoors for a fun, colorful, and delightfully messy project! Kids used water blasters to spray vibrant paint onto their own initial canvases, turning the afternoon into a lively mix of art, laughter, and splashes. The bold, personalized art masterpieces brought lots of happy, paint-splattered smiles!
Water Play Day: Volunteers from the South Salem Church of the Nazarene gave the residents at Mahonia Crossing a fun-filled water play day to cool off in the summer heat. The kids enjoyed soaring down the slip-and-slide on whimsical inflatables, playing with water blasters and water balloons, and a chance to see inside a fire truck and chat with firefighters. Everyone enjoyed refreshing watermelon and lots of laughter.
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EngAGE changes lives by transforming affordable senior, family, and intergenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
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