DeKalb County Senior Groups Cross
Community Lines with Innovative Program
By Laynea Allen
As DeKalb County struggles with unifying its diverse
mix of people, one program has taken the initiative.
Two senior-focused groups, Life Enrichment Services,
Inc. in north DeKalb County and Austin Drive Community
Development in south DeKalb, have developed a cooperative
project called “Adventures In Learning”
that brings together seniors across the area through
a series of educational and social classes.
Paul Ryan, executive director of Life Enrichment
Services, Inc., an independent non-profit organization,
was introduced to Landa Clay, executive director of
Austin Drive Community Development, through their
work with the County government. They recognized the
need to broaden the spectrum of social and educational
activities available to seniors by using the resources
available through Life Enrichment Services, Inc. and
the people of Austin Drive Community Development.
The project is the first of its kind between the two
senior centers.
“A lot of senior services that are provided
for the community are directed towards the frail elderly,”
said Ryan. “We direct our programs toward older
people who are active, who want and need to be physically
and emotionally stimulated. We’ve been providing
that service for a relatively small part of DeKalb
County for many years.”
The result was the “Adventures in Learning”
series, which was a pilot project to decide the best
way to proceed with reaching large numbers of people
and crossing bridges between communities. The focus
is on the 50 to 65 age group, explains Ryan, a group
that still has a large number of working and active
individuals who often shy away from senior programs.
Most participants in senior groups are over 65 with
most classes being offered during the day. The new
approach is to develop programs on the weekend and
evenings that appeal more to working seniors.
The six-week program offered adults over 50 the opportunity
to participate in classes on quilting, wellness/exercise,
poetry, studying the Psalms and more.
There are some challenges that have surfaced early
in the program; specifically dealing with transportation.
The problem was resolved through van and bus donation
by the community.
Not only did “Adventures in Learning”
unite senior groups, but it crossed generation boundaries
as well. Members of the Summer Challenge Leadership
Group, made up of children 12 and up, were trained
to be greeters and “information specialists”
for the program.
Source: Community Journal - Aug. 15, 2002
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