Older adults come to LBFE every day from all walks of life. And every day, our mission is the same. We connect, engage, and nurture friendships with older adults in order to relieve and alleviate loneliness.
It’s a privilege to experience the enduring nature of these relationships. Now, we would like to share powerful stories and exciting moments in our programs with you in our blog.
Our work always starts with a personal connection and builds over time. I am reminded almost every day of Ada, an older adult in our program. I’ve come to enjoy Ada’s strong and sometimes sassy personality. As I got to know her, I learned about the hardships she endured to raise her siblings.
Sometimes, it’s the little details that stand out. I even recall with a smile and a laugh how happy Ada was one time when I brought her one of her favorites – a $4.99 chicken from Costco. I am reminded even more that I have learned so much about perseverance and the willingness to give back from Ada, who worked and volunteered every day until the pandemic disrupted her life.
Our work and our story are full of meaningful connections – the kind of connections that come from listening, trust, and staying committed to what we do.
People ask me about our programs. Well, it is important for you to know that our programs are shaped by what we see every day from older adults like Ada – the challenges they face, the joy they experience, and what they share about their lives. One older adult lives a long distance from family members or friends; another faces health or financial challenges, or may want to create an end-of-life plan. One older adult loves art; another loves to stroll through her local farmer’s market, and another wants to talk about their favorite team and is often proudly wearing a sweatshirt with that team’s logo. We get that people have many different rich experiences – and often want to be connected to each other and tell their story as they share life’s journey. In all of these situations, we are there for older adults in our program.
I have been lucky to engage with many older adults who share one of their gifts – like great conversational skills, a deep knowledge of the city’s history, a passion for movies, and much more. This April, we held a festive luncheon party in honor of our founder, Armand Marquiset. Older adults enjoyed lunch, conversation, and the stylings of a spirited mariachi band. Suddenly, Antelma, one of our older adults, stood up, walked to where the band was playing – and spontaneously started singing with the band. So much for the stereotype of shy and retiring older adults!
We meet our older adults where they are, and our programs and the stories we hear from them reflect that. One older adult may prefer a visit to their home from a volunteer who has gotten to know them well over the months and years. Another likes to come to our holiday celebrations or attend our four-day summer vacation program, where they connect with their peers and enjoy a wide range of activities. And another might choose to participate in our intergenerational art program, where they can engage with young people who volunteer for LBFE. Or maybe all of the above.
We know that some older adults may be reluctant to take the first step and participate in a new program. We can all identify with that. What we do is keep reaching out to older adults – and they keep reaching out to us. It is the human touch that makes life worth living.
Our story is part of a universal story. Last year, the U.S. Surgeon General released The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. He described the “epidemic” of loneliness and isolation in our country.
Our approach is to celebrate and share joyous moments with older adults every day. You will see what we mean on this blog. As we connect with older adults, we want to share that story with you.
And yes, we can alleviate loneliness and isolation – one friendship at a time.
Take care,
Simone Mitchell-Peterson
CEO