Westfield Young Leaders Bring Awareness To Older Americans Month

WESTFIELD, NJ — Madeline Burkey, Juliana Beebe, and Ivonne Collazo-Marchany, three Girl Scout Cadettes from local Troop 40916, are working on their Silver Award project, which is the highest award they can earn at their Scout level.

Their Take Action project is "Art for Seniors," an art program for the residents at the Westfield Senior Citizens Housing.

They believe that creating a sustainable art club will improve the seniors’ overall quality of life by providing the means for socialization and self-expression.

Also, the club will help to improve self-confidence, cognitive function, and fine motor skills with the added benefits of reducing physical pain and improving physical health.

The Cadettes have been hosting regular workshops at the Senior Center, led by local professionals, artists, and teachers who have generously donated their time and expertise. These workshops have focused on clay sculpting, embroidery, jewelry making, photography, and watercolor painting, all well-received by the residents.

On Friday, May 5, Margaret Smith, Local Artist, Art Teacher, President of the Westfield Coalition for the Arts and Board Member for the Center for Creativity at the Rialto, kindly volunteered her time and shared her talents by leading a watercolor painting workshop at the Senior Center.

May is Older Americans Month. The 2023 theme for Older Americans Month is "Aging Unbound," which focuses on "promoting flexible thinking about aging" and the overall benefits when older adults "remain engaged, independent, and included."

This Silver Award Project is helping to bring awareness to the community, emphasizing the importance of offering engaging activities for Senior Citizens where they can learn or improve upon creative skills.

The Cadettes and the Senior Citizens are looking forward to the next workshop "Floral Design," scheduled for June and led by the Rake & Hoe Garden Club of Westfield, where the residents will learn the art of floral arranging by creating their own bouquets.

— Submitted by Andrea Burkey