SENIORS’ PROGRAMS OVERVIEW
Newcomers and refugee seniors often struggle with isolation due to language barriers, lack of nearby family, mobility issues, and other participation barriers. The pandemic has exacerbated this isolation and strained their health and wellbeing. In response, CCO4WY shifted from activity-based programming to addressing immediate needs like food security and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), transitioning to a fully online model.
Our primary focus was connecting with our most vulnerable community members, facilitating vaccine access, and providing basic needs like food, groceries, and supplies. We also offered social and emotional support through wellness calls and check-ins. Volunteers helped seniors connect to hotspots and provided support with digital devices and navigating the virtual environment.
Our programs brought seniors together to practice English in conversation circles, participate in tax clinics, attend fraud prevention workshops, and join gentle exercise classes. We also launched special projects to foster creativity, including an arts-based, multi-generational project involving Arabic storytelling, a calendar highlighting seniors’ contributions, and an online balcony gardening group led by seniors. One senior even hosted a cooking show on Instagram Live, sharing recipes and cooking techniques.
While in-person connection is irreplaceable, we currently encourage seniors to stay active at home, get vaccinated, and continue improving their digital literacy to better engage in and lead online sessions.