Connecting at the Senior Center May / June 2021 Our Amazing Volunteers We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers. membership or answer questions about our mix Despite the pandemic, more than 200 people of in-person and virtual classes and activities. dedicated their time to the Senior Center last year to ensure our essential programs continued. We anticipate a busy spring and summer as we gradually add back more in-person programs Our volunteers delivered meals to seniors in their and expand our technology offerings. Our homes, provided connection and companionship volunteers will continue to be an important part through our Westside Friends program and of everything we do. helped keep the Stop ‘N Shop thrift store open and thriving to support our operations. For the latest information on what we’re offering at the Senior Center, visit our website at sc-ws. We recently welcomed back our front desk org. volunteer receptionists. The Senior Center staff team is so happy to have these friendly faces Note: Pictured volunteers have been vaccinated back in the building. Our volunteer receptionists and will greet you with masks on. can help you register for programs, renew your Executive Director Social Workers Stop ‘N Shop Senior Center Amy Lee Derenthal Mo Fain, MSW Manager 4217 SW Oregon St Toni Ameslav, MSW Aylene Kandappu Seattle, WA 98116 Office Manager Monday-Friday: Nicole Knowles Development & Stop ‘N Shop 8:30am-4pm Communications Coordinator Volunteer Coordinator Manager Tessa Bowden Stop ‘N Shop Sara Hanson-Andreu Nathan Box 4504 California Ave SW Digital Equity Seattle, WA 98116 Chef/Site Coordinator Outreach-Westside Coordinator Thursday-Monday: Francisco Briseño Friends Martin Piccoli 11am-4pm Michele Fawcett-Long Bookkeeper Andrea Erickson sc-ws.org • 206-932-4044 • [email protected] Greetings from the Executive Director 2021 Board of Directors Dear Members, Participants and Friends: Karen Pfeiffer Bush, Scott Collins, President ComForCare Home Care It has been a busy spring at the Senior Center. S365 Consulting + Design Kristine Milkovich, One of our highest priorities has been ensuring Dennis Jackson, The Milkovich Team/John all seniors in our community get vaccinated Vice-President L. Scott Community Member against COVID-19. Our staff and board advocated Stephanie Bruno, to our local elected officials and public health John Cluff, Treasurer Sea to Peak Financial department for greater vaccine access for people Community Member Advisors who couldn’t make their own appointment online. And our staff social workers helped 200 of these Dawn Schaper, Committee Chairs vulnerable seniors get vaccinated. A big thank Secretary you to our board members and other volunteers Brookdale Admiral Karen Pfeiffer Bush, who drove seniors to their appointments. Heights Executive Board Members Dennis Jackson, We also partnered with AARP to offer tax Equity and Inclusion preparation sessions at the Senior Center—with Ann-Marie Murray, a huge response. More than 250 people received Independent Producer, John Cluff, Finance help with their taxes through our program this Coastal Insurance year. Alison Morton, Benjamin Jury, Co-owner Fundraising Chair One of our biggest challenges during the past Duos Catering 12 months has been maintaining our membership Carol McClure, level. We know many people have had to lapse Richard Kromm, Welcome Ambassador their membership due to financial or health Road Winery Karen Pfeiffer Bush concerns. We are so grateful to all of you who Carol McClure, Financial & Richard Kromm, have renewed your membership for 2021. Our Designs Inc. Governance Co-Chairs programs depend on your membership fees to continue. Alison Morton, CFRE, John Cluff, Sound Kindering Generations Advocacy I hope to see you soon at the Senior Center! Board meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30pm via Zoom. To get in touch with the board email: Mission Statement [email protected] Our mission is to provide a welcoming, inclusive environment where people can enjoy warm Board meeting minutes are available for public friendships, healthy activities, joyful expressions viewing in our library. and meaningful engagement as they age. 2 Connecting at the Senior Center Refresh Campaign, Senior Center Turns 50 This Year We’re Getting a Refresh It’s a great year for new beginnings! The Senior Center will be undergoing a building refresh this year to trans- form our facility into a more vibrant space. Our plans include upgrading the upstairs restrooms, painting the interiors, replacing flooring, improving signage and way- finding, adding new lighting and improving acoustics. Most of the work will take place in the second half of this year. A big thank you to local design company S365 for providing significant pro bono time for this project. We can’t wait to show off a Senior Center that reflects the vibrancy of our incredible members and volunteers. Senior Center’s 50th Anniversary 2021 marks our 50th year serving the West Seattle com- munity. We are excited to commemorate this occasion with you in a couple of different ways. First, we would love to hear your stories—or your fam- ily members’ stories. What role has the Senior Center played in your life over the years? What is your favorite memory of the Senior Center? Please send us your story in the mail or by email to [email protected]. We may share your stories with our members and sup- porters. Second, we hope to celebrate in person with you this fall with some small gatherings and events in honor of our 50th. Stay tuned for opportunities to mark this anniversary with us. Save the date to GiveBIG on May 4-5 GiveBIG Washington is an annual two-day period of giving to support local nonprofits like the Senior Center of West Seattle. Please save the date for Tuesday, May 4, to Wednesday, May 5, to donate to fund our 2021 programs and services. Connecting at the Senior Center 3 Programs: Health and Wellness About Our Health and Wellness Programs: The Senior Center supports our community’s physical, emotional and mental health. From in-person fitness classes and foot care clinics to online emotional support groups and virtual dance classes, we provide a holistic approach to keeping you healthy as you age. AGING WELL GROUP LOW VISION GROUP Mondays, 1-2pm We welcome you to participate in this group to share Are you feeling challenged by the pandemic, changes the challenges of dealing with low vision and receive in your health, relationships, housing, mobility or in- resources and support. Led by our social worker Mo come? Or are you looking for ways to make new con- Fain, LICSW, the group will also host guest speakers nections, communicate, increase self-esteem, manage to share community resources and new technologies. anxiety or cultivate acceptance? Join our professional The Low Vision Group will meet in-person at the social worker, Mo Fain, LICSW, for this monthly group Senior Center with dates announced soon. in person at the Senior Center. We will share stories, To register, contact Mo at 206-932-4044 x2 or learn coping strategies and provide and receive sup- [email protected]. port. We also have occasional speakers on a variety of topics. All discussions are confidential. To register, call VIRTUAL QIGONG Mo at 206-932-4044 x2 or email maureenf@soundgen- Tuesdays, 9:30am erations.org. Join us for Qigong (pronounced chee gung), an effec- tive practice for improving your immune and respirato- MOBILE BARBER ry systems and overall health. No special equipment, Fourth Thursdays, May 27, June 24, 10am-4pm clothing or experience is necessary. Classes take place Fee: $10 over Zoom. To register and receive the Zoom link, Are you due for a trim or buzz? We now offer mobile contact Terry Leers at 206-999-5381 or terryleers.sfq@ barber and hair cut services in partnership with Ola gmail.com. Salon for our community. To book your appointment, call Ola Salon and mention the Senior Center of West VIRTUAL MINDFULNESS CLASS Seattle: 206-743-8938. Mondays, 10-10:30am Thursdays, 10-11am DENTAL HYGIENE In this ongoing class, we explore mindfulness, medita- Fridays, June 25, Friday Aug. 27, Friday Oct. 22, tion, stress reduction and other empowering strategies 8am-5pm and how they can be applied in daily life. These sim- Fee: Low cost ple and subtle practices invite us to patiently retrain Get your pearly whites cleaned at the Senior Center our bodies and minds to establish a more regulated by Dental Hygienist Jan Loder. By appointment only. nervous system. This class blends instruction, activi- To register, call the Senior Center at 206-932-4044 x1 ties, discussion and practices of mindfulness and me- or stop by to pick up a registration form. diation. Kate Jarvis is a certified yoga instructor with a master’s in teaching and is the founder of Practice FOOT CARE Seattle. To sign up, contact Kate: kate@practiceseat- Fridays May 7, May 21, June 4, June 18 tle.com. Fee: $30 for members, $40 non-members Give your feet the attention they deserve with a foot LIVE FITNESS VIA ZOOM care appointment with Nurse Keith Germain. To regis- Active Fitness: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9am ter, call the Senior Center at 206-932-4044 x1. Chair Fitness: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1pm Join Senior Center fitness instructor Maria Dowell for classes every weekday over Zoom. No experience needed to join in the fun and stay active. To join, con- tact Maria: 206-574-8944 or [email protected]. 4 Connecting at the Senior Center Programs: Connection to the Community About Our Connection to the Community Programs: The Senior Center is a community gathering place for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities where everyone is welcome. We offer a place to meet friends, enjoy a healthy meal, take a class and engage in a vibrant social network.