I love to hold a paintbrush and think about ways to bring my heart and soul to that canvas. I don’t know what’s going to come, and that’s the fun of it.
Mary, Laguna Honda resident, former nurse, and Bay Area Native
Art With Elders
CityBridge Laguna Honda supports Art With Elders, an enrichment program that includes painting classes and studio time. Some attendees are accomplished artists, while others are enjoying the chance to find their “inner artist” for the first time. Class offerings include watercolors, acrylics, oil pastels, crayons, pen and ink, and pencil drawings and collages.
At any age, creative activities boost mood, connect people with their own life experiences, and help them relate to the world around them. With a person-centered methodology that hinges on meeting each artist where they are, Art With Elders staff and volunteers help even the most disabled find creative new ways to express hidden talents.
“Doing Art With Elders has inspired me to get out of bed and express myself even when others in the world tell me I don’t fit in. The freedom to just see what comes through the power to express and be able to share with others is a lifesaver!” – Program Participant
LITA
Love Is The Answer (LITA) currently serves over 35 long-term care facilities in Marin with its efforts to overcome the devastating impact of loneliness in long-term care facilities.
With a grant from CityBridge Laguna Honda, LITA will grow its reach in facilities that serve Medi-Cal and Medicare residents and expand its Bridging Thru Music program. The broader program called Bridging Thru the Arts will include more music and a variety of other arts activities such as visual arts classes, poetry readings, film screenings, and dance.
YMCA
CityBridge Laguna Honda is pleased to support the teen/senior component of Mission YMCA’s Intergenerational Program that aims to foster meaningful relationships that strengthen community bonds, encourage mutual respect across generations, and provide a sense of companionship and inclusion.
With our support, the YMCA launched the Letter-Writing Program, the Shared Meals and Group Activities, the Intergenerational Pottery Session, and the Video Documentation programs – all in support of seniors in an underserved community.
The programs demonstrate signs of impact, including increased engagement, especially among seniors, greater confidence among teens, and a noticeable sense of belonging and connection between participants.
