Community Outreach Director, Nancy Raia, discusses her latest Senior to Senior program and how it impacts students each and every year.
During the Fall of 2019, I partnered with the Fairhope High School Art Club and educator Lynda Williams in bringing the Senior to Senior project to the assisted living community, Brennity of Fairhope. The monthly lesson allows senior students to partner with senior adults on visual art collaborations. As they create, the seniors converse and become acquainted with each other, as well as the group. Students discuss upcoming college plans and potential careers giving the seniors the opportunity to reminisce about their own lives and experiences. Long after club requirements are met, students continue to volunteer due to the attachments formed with the residents.
After introducing the newest group of student volunteers this past November, I approached a young man recognized by his fabulous smile. “Don’t I know you from Rotary Youth Club?” I asked. He laughed and was impressed to have been remembered as a student from at least eight years ago. We were both very happy to see each other and I was thrilled to see a past student volunteering with the arts. After leading projects like “Senior to Senior”, I ask the participants to follow up with essays that provide insight regarding visual art collaborations with unique populations. I would like to share the narrative from my past student with the fabulous smile and ongoing love of the arts and community service:
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