The key to emotional well-being Community engagement keeps us connected

BY OLIVIA GUTHRIE

Humaninteraction is essential to life. COVID robbed us of so much of it, but now that the world has opened up, it’s time to make up for what we missed. One of the best ways to stay connected is through community engagement, a key factor in emotional and physical well-being. Working with others to give back to the place you all call home provides a sense of community that extends from your own group to the region beyond. Keeping up with opportunities can be challenging, so we gathered a few awesome ideas to consider.

West Side Seniors

151 Vermont Street, Buffalo; wscsbuffalo.org

West Side Seniors is a program offered by West Side Community Services (WSCS), a nonprofit organization working to better the Niagara district through various programs for all age groups since 1978. The program provides seniors with weekly scheduled activities held at WSCS. All are welcome, not just West Side or Niagara district residents. The program includes get-togethers every Wednesday and Friday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. with “coffee and conversation, bingo, and lunch,” according to the website. West Side residents can take advantage of the program’s van service to get to and from WSCS.

On Wednesdays, drop-in, “paywhat-you-can” mat yoga classes with instructor Candace Caprow run from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Caprow also teaches seated and standing variations, which may be better for those with mobility limitations, from 10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

The Silver Pride Project pridecenterwny.org/ WhatWereHereFor/Aging

Aiming to combat loneliness, the Pride Center of WNY’s Silver Pride Project “provides a community of new friends for seniors.” With workshops, parties, dinners, and plenty of other planned outings, you’ll always have something to do. In addition to making friends, attendees have access to everything the Pride Center offers, like health resources and social services. The community group is open to all, regardless of sexual orientation or age.

Become a foster grandparent ccswoh.org/foster-grandparents; 8966388

The Foster Grandparent Program through Catholic Charities is a meaningful way to stay connected in the community. Under direct supervision, coordinators assign foster grandparents to children with special needs to teach them how to read. Volunteers can expect between five and forty hours of in-person tutoring each week. The participating educational facilities for the program include Buffalo Public and charter schools, homeless shelters, and preschool and after-school programs.

According to its website, the Foster Grandparent Program offers the following advantages: “making a difference in the life of a child, a small stipend, partial transportation and meal reimbursement, volunteer insurance, and monthly training.”

Join the Mar-Bon Social Club marbonsocialclub.com

In East Amherst, the Mar-Bon Social Club prides itself on being “Western New York’s first and only social club built exclusively for seniors.” The senior club was created by the children of Mary and Boniface Pope after they witnessed the profound effects that social interaction and community had on their mother following their father’s passing.

The social club dives deeper into what “community” really means. Members can take advantage of daily home-cooked meals, participate in organized activities and exciting events, and get their hair done at the club’s in-house salon.

Mar-Bon provides tours for interested parties who want to experience the club’s offerings before joining.

“DIY”

If clubs or programs aren’t your cup of tea, consider hobbies and passions you enjoy or ones you’ve just always wanted to try. Creating a social group can even be done and enjoyed from the comfort of your home. Ideas for easy set-up and organizing can be as simple as gathering friends and peers from your regularly visited local spots and meeting weekly for a book, movie, knitting, or scrapbooking club. To get outdoors, start a gardening or photography meet-up.

Opportunities to remain engaged are endless so find the one that works for you and reap the benefits of better well-being. FY

Olivia is a civil rights investigator and freelance writer based in Buffalo, NY. She is a contributor to Buffalo Spree and Forever Young. contact@ oliviaguthrie.com