Lafayette Senior Services & Society for Creative Aging

Lafayette Senior Services &
Society for Creative Aging
Volunteer Opportunity

The arts serve as a powerful way to engage people in a creative and healing process of self-expression, that research is proving positively impacts one’s overall health and wellness. We’ve designed our Creativity Matters program to address these findings.

We have developed training modules for three creative areas; poetry, visual arts, and music/movement We will provide “hands on” training, as well as a support toolkit of activities which the volunteers will use as guides in their creative sessions with the participants. The training and support provided by the Society for Creative Aging will make it easy and fun for volunteers to learn and lead participants in creative sessions. (Each volunteer will choose which arts area they prefer.)

Poetry and Writing: Life review is one of the best ways to spark creativity. Our poetry sessions are built on a profound respect for the stories each of us carries about our life and are based on the theme “Who I am Matters” Participants will learn to listen to poems in a way that will encourage discussion and reflection. Then they will try their own writing and have an appreciative audience for the results. The writings generated form these sessions can be compiled and shared for posterity.

Visual Arts: This creative arts experience will guide participants through a process of reflection and expression through writing and visual arts (collaging, drawing, painting, etc.)... Participants will have an opportunity to look back on significant life experiences and artfully document them as they create an altered book. (“Altered Book” refers to an already bound book that is used as the template for a new version of ideas. utilizing a myriad of materials to cover and replace existing pages of hardcover books.)

Music and Movement: These creative sessions will introduce music and movement as a vehicle for a full immersion into a musical experience as an evocative and expressive experience. Different music genres will be collaboratively selected. Participants will deepen listening experience through a variety of activities that enhance enjoyment, providing a fuller understanding of the personal impact and meaning of songs and instrumental music selections. Singing, rhythmic exercises and movement will also be incorporated into these vibrant and interactive music sessions.

We are seeking volunteers who:
1. Can commit to meeting , minimally, one hour every three weeks in either a one on one or small group session with an older person(s)
2. Have a strong interest in at least one of the art mediums we are working with

Training for volunteers will be June 20 at Lafayette Senior Center 9:00-11:00 A.M.
Contact Cammie Cloman at camcloman@gmail.com, 303.518.5732 if you are interested in participating in the program or have any questions.