3 minute read
i have a friend: community
community
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By Laurie Black
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg ' s Senior Visitors Program (you've heard me say this before) is all about connection.
We connect isolated, lonely seniors in our area with a trained volunteer, for a weekly, friendly visit. Even a simple social connection can help someone feel valued and alleviate isolation and loneliness which can lead to depression and more. So, imagine the benefits of multiple social connections!
Twice a year the Senior Visitors Program offers an event for program participants and their volunteers to come together and meet other volunteers and program participants. In the summer we hold a picnic social. In the winter we hold a holiday open house. At both events, program participants can enjoy food, games, and most importantly connect with each other.
This year, the Senior Visitors Program Holiday Open House was made possible through the generosity and volunteer efforts of Bridgeway Church of Spotsylvania. One of their volunteers, Traci Kennedy, has volunteered with the Senior Visitors Program in the past. So, when Bridgeway Church was looking to help the community this holiday season, Traci suggested the Senior Visitors Program.
Bridgeway Church provided food, games, crafts, door prizes, and a festive atmosphere for our seniors. (Volunteers included as pictured above left to right: Ben, Andy, Madilynn, and Melissa Acors, Traci and Chris Kennedy, Paster Dave and BJ Hockney, Chris and Tammy Long.)
Our seniors were overjoyed to have a warm, safe place to get out and enjoy the season. The room was filled with laughter, hugs, and smiles. Some of the comments we received were:
Laurie Black is the Senior Visitors Program Coordinator at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
If you know a senior who could benefit from having a weekly, friendly visit or if you would like to volunteer to visit a senior, call the Senior Visitors Program at (540) 371-2 2704 or visit our website at mhafred.org. Refer a senior or sign up to be a volunteer! The Senior Visitors Program is a free community service program of Mental Health America of Fredericksburg.
"I don't remember the last time I've had so much fun at a party!"
"This is so nice for someone to do this for us. I feel quite spoiled!"
"I always enjoy these events. It is so nice to be able to get out in the community and meet people."
"I wasn't sure I wanted to come, but I'm glad I did." In addition to the Bridgeway Church of Spotsylvania, the Senior Visitors Program is grateful for the DisAbility Resource Center for allowing us to use their conference room, Virginia Home Care Partners for providing additional door prizes, and other individual community members for donations of puzzles and calendars for seniors to take home.
It is wonderful to be part of a community that values our seniors and values connection. I hope in the coming year we can all look for - and reach out to - those individuals in our community who may be feeling alone or isolated and let them know they are not alone; they are part of our community!
All of us (staff and volunteers) here at Mental Health America of Fredericksburg look forward to continuing to serve our community in 2023 and collaborating with the people, organizations and businesses that make this community such a wonderful place to live.
