When the pandemic hit, EngAGE responded by moving our programming online as much as possible in order to keep our residents connected and active mentally and physically. One vital service that needed to be continued was supplemental food delivery. Our team rose to the occasion, and food boxes that under normal circumstances would have been picked up in the community room by residents were delivered directly to recipients’ apartment doors. EngAGE team member Miles Morse explains in this brief video.
EngAGE25 Celebration: Stories from Our Team – Pauline McCourt
Thanks to EngAGE Northwest Program Director Pauline for #MakingADifference and sharing this story.
Last month, I introduced needle felting to my community’s craft class. While the demonstration and instructions were starting, resident Kristi reluctantly walked in to join the group and immediately said the project looked too difficult for her. So, we worked together, taking each step slowly, to create a rainbow flower. Kristi said it was hard to use the sharp needle and coordinate her movements, but she kept working. After an hour, she had mastered the skill and felt so proud.
The next week, Kristi was the first to show up for class. I was still setting up the materials but was excited to see her gathering supplies and beginning to work. She worked carefully and quietly, not asking any questions. After about an hour she proclaimed that she was done. She held up her work to share it with the group, beaming with pride: a fish with bubbles. Her lovely piece of artwork required focus and resilience, yet she faced the challenge and was successful. It was exciting to see her joyful transformation, thanks to this new opportunity to create art.
EngAGE25 Celebration: Stories from Our Team – Megan Eldridge
Thanks to EngAGE Program Director Megan for #MakingADifference and sharing the story of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at three of our communities.
Megan, the youngest from a big family and a miliary wife and mom, loves to cook for large groups. She had corned beef and cabbage on the stove for hours at each community celebration! Megan reports: The residents loved the green decorations, the cute green glasses, and the opportunity to gather with their neighbors for the holiday. But most of all, they really loved the food. In fact, the celebration became more about corned beef than St. Patrick’s Day!
Special thanks to COA (Community Outreach Alliance) Food Connection for providing additional food at Cotton’s Point, and to our residents who brought dishes for the potluck.
Posted in 25th Anniversary
Tagged changing aging, creating community, positive aging
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EngAGE25 Celebration: Lifelong Learning – Technology
Through classes, interest groups, and special events, EngAGE participants have opportunities to learn about such topics as financial literacy and scam prevention, health news, music appreciation, and more, all in a supportive environment. One area we think is particularly important is learning about technology. When possible, we even arrange to provide the technology itself.
Seen here: Residents at Metro@ Compton learn to use a tablet in the technology workshop funded by the State of California’s Public Utilities Commission. When they complete the class, they get to keep the tablet. [Consumer Technology Association (CTA)]
Also: Piedmont Program Director Arnold visits North Hollywood Senior Arts Colony to provide tech support to residents.
Posted in 25th Anniversary, Learning, Technology
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EngAGE25 Celebration: Stories from Our Team – Michelle Yu
Thanks to EngAGE Program Director Michelle for #MakingADifference and sharing this story.
A resident told me that she didn’t like painting. She actually thought it was boring, but she decided to come to class for the friendship time. It wasn’t long before she began to appreciate the creativity involved in painting. Now she enjoys seeing the variety of perspectives from her artistic classmates and looks forward to continuing to discover her own style.
Programming Highlights: Winter 2024
We hope you’ll enjoy these highlights from recent programming at our communities.
ENGAGE CALIFORNIA
Burbank Senior Artists Colony: In the spirit of holidays, Teaching Artist Jinet offered a snow globe-making workshop for residents. Participants enjoyed the unexpected creative treat of coming up with a design and choosing items to include in the globe.
Coventry Court: Residents were thrilled to welcome a team of law students from UC Irvine who were invited to the community by Brooke Weitzman, Executive Director at the Elder Law and Disability Rights Center in Irvine. After an informative session on wills and health directives, the students jumped in to answer questions from residents. (No, they did not give legal advice because they are not lawyers!)
The Grove: Residents enjoy the monthly Orange County Mobile Library visit when they can register for a library card, check out books and Chromebooks, and much more. Puzzle and arts and crafts are also offered. Books and media are available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Spanish, and English to meet the language needs of residents. Other languages can be accommodated as well when requested.
LBSAC: “A little of this and a little of that” is how Regional Program Director Henry describes the many art supplies in his rolling art wagon that he brings to class. Residents enjoyed working in their wonderful maker space to create their holiday art.
NOHO SAC: Program Director Lisa co-teaches American Sign Language with resident Lillian, who is hearing impaired. Lillian has been able to develop friendships through teaching the class for her community. The group enjoys a lot of laughs while learning a valuable communication skill.
Pac Arts: In December, the youngest residents had fun opportunities to get creative and celebrate the winter season and holidays in Liza’s Art class.
The Piedmont: For the past several months, the UCLA chapter of the Dialogue Society has brought “The Passion Project” to The Piedmont. The goal of this project is to use social media to transform the stereotypical negative views about aging. Residents were encouraged to bring their art, stories, wisdom, and advice for younger generations to the first presentation, which laid the groundwork. The project continued with individual interviews of residents interested in participating. In the final step, residents are being interviewed again on tape. The student producers are working closely with EngAGE Program Director Arnold and each of the participating residents to ensure that this project will be fun and meaningful.
Portofino Villas: The holiday Coffee Talk was exciting when Candice Miller from “CDs for Seniors” presented upcycled (gently used) CDs and CD players to surprised and delighted residents. Look at their faces!
The Remi: The Remi is a brand new affordable older adult apartment community now leasing in South Los Angeles. EngAGE celebrated the opening with a Valentine’s Day party that included gorgeous donated desserts made by a talented resident baker, shown below with his proud son. At right, EngAGE COO Nancy enjoys the celebration with a resident.
Tizon: In anticipation of fresh spring flowers, residents enjoyed making and framing beautiful, pressed flower bouquets in Teaching Artist Shelly’s art class. It was fun for them to try something completely different that challenged their creativity.
ENGAGE NORTHWEST
Broadleaf Arbor: Resident Patrick is a gifted musician who volunteers his time and shares his talent by teaching a weekly beginner ukulele class for all ages in the community room. Before each class, Patrick walks through the courtyard to gather students, and he encourages students to bring their own string instrument, if they have one. The students have been learning how to properly care for the instrument as well as play and read music.
Mahonia Crossing: In Salem, Oregon, this is our second Community for All Ages project in conjunction with Community Development Partners. Construction is being done in two phases, with 313 units serving 30% to 80% AMI residents. This development includes a dedicated senior building. Community spaces include a community center, kitchen, fitness area, outdoor paths and playground, and community garden beds. Fifteen units are occupied so far, with construction still underway on the bulk of the property. We are currently interviewing for a full-time Program Director and expect to have someone in place by the end of March.
Terrace Glen: Residents celebrated the winter holiday season with a selection of pies, warm drinks, and art activities provided by EngAGE. They assembled gingerbread houses, played board games, and spent time talking and laughing with their neighbors. Everyone had fun donning festive gear and snapping pictures at our photo wall.
The Art Hub class at Terrace Glen is full of creative energy and freedom for residents to explore their own artistic styles. In January, Program Director Laura showed the resident artists how to make vision boards for the new year, encouraging them to think about the words and images that they want to bring into their lives in 2024. The group also created cards and art pieces to share with loved ones for Valentine’s Day. Giving participants the freedom to play with the art materials reinforces that there is no right or wrong way to be creative!
25TH ANNIVERSARY
EngAGE 25th anniversary posts have been launched. We have been posting once or twice weekly on social media, including LinkedIn and here on our blog. We started with Tim’s TEDx Talk as well as his essay written when he turned 55, making him eligible to live in some of our communities. Throughout the year, we’ll be covering all of our programming categories, plus sharing stories from our Program Directors to show how we’re carrying on the EngAGE mission today. If you’d like to see all of our 25th anniversary posts on the blog, click here.
STORIES
Sandra Vargas shared a photo and screenshot from a conversation with a resident who was excited to report that the gift cards she’d been saving made her grocery shopping trip affordable. And she had praise for Sandra, too.
EngAGE NW Executive Director Laura shared a story about a new Terrace Glen resident who was being shown the community room when she burst into tears of joy and said, “I’m just so grateful that I won’t have to be alone anymore.” Laura’s comment to us: “It’s wonderful to see that after 25 years of EngAGE programming, our impact continues to grow in our newest communities.”
If you’d like to support our efforts to provide valuable programming in the arts, wellness, lifelong learning, and community building to older adults and families, please visit the Donation page on our website. Thank you for your interest in EngAGE!
EngAGE25 Celebration: Stories from Our Team – Sandra Vargas
Thanks to EngAGE Regional Program Director Sandra for #MakingADifference and sharing this story.
Posted in 25th Anniversary
Tagged changing aging, making a difference, positive aging
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