Vermont Family Apartments Holiday Surprise
EngAGE Program Directors have made a special effort this year to make the holiday season a happy one for our community residents. There have been door decorating contests, surprise gifts of hot chocolate and handmade ornaments, a surprise decorated tree in a community room. We hope you’ll visit our Facebook Page to see the many photographs we have posted there.
There’s one holiday event that we always enjoy highlighting. Every year for the past decade, Program Director Elizabeth Sampson, who serves several communities in the San Fernando Valley, also generously has volunteered to make sure the children at Vermont Family Apartments in Los Angeles receive gifts. (The Vermont apartments were designed especially for grandparents caring for their grandchildren.) Elizabeth has spearheaded an annual Toy Drive with the help of The Road Theatre Company, of which she’s been a member for over twenty years. There’s usually a big holiday party arranged by Vermont Program Director Sandra Vargas, with lots of food, music, and Santa in attendance to hand out the gifts. But this year, with the pandemic upending everyone’s plans, Elizabeth had concerns:
I was afraid that the Toy Drive wouldn’t do well this year because everyone knows that all actors and performers have been affected by this virus. But the Roadies have outdone themselves. I raised more money by almost $600 – I raised just over $2,000. It is incredible. One of the Roadies (a beautiful actor named Jonathan Nichols, who donates $200 every year), this year gave $400 and wanted to know if we were doing anything for the parents. Well. Because of him and the higher amount, we were able to give not only a wrapped present to all 42 children under the age of 13, and a $20 Walmart gift card to all 14 of the teenagers between 13 and 16, but we also were able to give gift cards to all 49 apartments (families) for groceries for a holiday meal. Sandra picked up the toys and got the Walmart gift cards, and then she wrapped all of those presents herself (!!!) for hand delivery, door-to-door (masked and distanced).
Sandra shared her thoughts:
I have to say that this year the residents’ reactions were priceless. I placed the gifts on the floor in front of their apartments and rang the doorbell. When the door was opened, to see the expressions on their faces was all for me. Some cried and others laughed for joy. Sorry I couldn’t catch those moments to share with you. To keep social distancing, I would step away, then ask if I could take a picture. Most agreed, and I am glad to say that all of them were happy to see that EngAGE had come through again this year. All 49 units received a $25 gift card towards groceries. This surprised them, and brought tears of happiness to some of them.
Happy Holidays to all from EngAGE!
Posted in Community, Community News, Holidays, Vermont
Tagged changing aging, creative aging, Intergenerational
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CDP and EngAGE Develop Intergen Community in Oregon
The Portland firm Community Development Partners is heading up the development of Timber Ridge Apartments on 4.79 acres in LaGrange, OR. Dan Steffey of CDP said the $23.7 million, 104-unit complex “would be a community that would be a welcoming home for people of all generations.” EngAGE is consulting to create a Community for All Ages model for Timber Ridge.
EngAGE Northwest Regional Program Director Kathleen Sullivan reports: “Timber Ridge Apartments is one of four projects EngAGE NW partnered on this year that is designed for people of all ages. As part of our initiative to develop community for all ages, EngAGE NW is involved in the design of the physical environment and will work with our partners at Northeast Oregon Housing Authority to foster community and a sense of belonging for future residents. We do this with the EngAGE model of using art, mentorship, wellness, and learning as the cornerstones of our programs. An historic development in Eastern Oregon, Timber Ridge Apartments is an example of how we can work together to achieve housing for Oregonians that is respectful and inclusive for all people. I am thrilled to be a small part of this superlative undertaking.”
Read more in this article in The Observer, LaGrande’s local newspaper.
Posted in Community News, EngAGE Northwest, Housing, Intergenerational
Tagged changing aging, creative aging, healthy aging
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EngAGE Community Residents Send Holiday Cards to Troops
Regional Program Director Sandra Vargas shared the results of the wonderful creative holiday project by residents at Bella Vita Senior Apartments in Carson, CA, and The Metro@Compton Senior Apartments in Compton, CA. They made special holiday greeting cards that brought appreciative smiles to the faces of our troops. Happy holidays to all!
Posted in Bella Vita, Community News, Hand-Crafting, Holidays, Metro Compton
Tagged changing aging, creative aging
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Tim Carpenter Concludes Work with Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease
EngAGE CEO/Founder Tim Carpenter served on The Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward, which presented their final recommendations Governor Newsom after a year and a half of work.
California is the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s crisis in the United States, but, as Maria Shriver said in a recent op-ed, “No state is better suited to lead the nation in taking it on.”
You can read the recommendations at CAALZTASKFORCE.ORG.
EngAGE Is Thankful for You!
EngAGE is celebrating Thanksgiving all month!
EngAGE is thankful for the support of our many Funding Partners, Developer Partners, and Programming Partners, as well as our Management Partners at each of our communities, and the dedicated members of our EngAGE California and EngAGE Northwest Boards of Directors.
We are thankful for the continuing inspiration we receive from our community residents who have been so motivated and resilient as they cope with the restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
And we are thankful for you, our readers and subscribers, who help sustain us with your continued interest in our mission to create community and change lives by transforming affordable senior and multigenerational housing communities into vibrant centers of learning, wellness, and creativity.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our special month of “Thankful” posts!
[Thanks to Administrative Assistant Jennifer Fallon for the great “Month of Thanksgiving” idea. Thanks for making it happen go to Jennifer; Cynthia Friedlob, Websites & Social Media Manager; and the EngAGE staff who contributed content.]
EngAGE Is Thankful: Food Service Partners – Los Angeles County
EngAGE is celebrating Thanksgiving all month!
EngAGE is thankful for our wonderful food delivery partners who provide a vital service made even more significant during the pandemic. Megan Hocking, LA County Food Coordinator/Burbank Senior Arts Colony Program Director, reports:
The residents of our communities are so grateful to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Because of their support, EngAGE has been able to provide food security to hundreds of older adults and families in need at 15 communities. Their monthly deliveries of non-perishable pantry staples give residents healthy options to stretch their monthly food budgets.
The restrictions imposed because of the COVID-19 pandemic hit our communities hard, and when EngAGE requested additional resources from LA Regional Food Bank, they stepped up. Together we increased the number of residents served from 700 to over 1000—and growing. Their staff is always willing to work together to come up with ways to best serve our residents. We appreciate their hard work and dedication.
