More arts are coming to Christian Health Care Center!
LeadingAge Washington has partnered with Seattle-based Silver Kite Community Arts to provide free arts engagement opportunities to all those who live at CHCC here in Lynden. The program began in August and will continue through January 2021.
As part of the new program, each CHCC resident who would like one will receive an individualized arts activity toolkit called a “SPARK Box.” Each box is filled with art supplies that residents can use on their own in their rooms or to participate with staff during weekly online art sessions.
“We’re excited to add these art classes to our list of engagement opportunities for those who live here,” said Kaitlin Gobeille, head of therapeutic recreation at CHCC. “Getting involved in art projects boosts quality of life and does wonders for cognitive function. Plus, art is fun, and our residents really enjoy it.”
Each SPARK Box includes an instruction booklet, washable watercolors, a paint brush, washable markers, an egg shaker musical instrument, a paper leaf stencil, a 40-page mixed media paper pad and a pencil. The outsides of the boxes double as coloring pages, so residents can personalize their boxes.
The online workshops begin in mid-August. At these virtual art classes, those who live at CHCC can use their art supplies to join in on the fun. The workshops are led by arts instructors at Silver Kite Community Arts and facilitated by therapeutic recreation staff members at CHCC.
Silver Kite is an organization in Seattle that aims to strengthen communities by helping people of all generations connect through the arts. They facilitate arts programs for older adults, create intergenerational arts experiences and design professional development opportunities.
“Through our work, we strive to help people feel less lonely and isolated and make the world stronger — one connection at a time,” said Jen Kulik, Silver Kite’s founder and CEO, in an email announcing the program.
LeadingAge Washington represents not-for-profit and mission-driven organizations in Washington state dedicated to improving the lives of older adults in our communities. CHCC is a member.
The art program is funded by a grant from the Civil Money Penalty Fund, which is reinvested by the state of Washington into projects that work to improve the quality of life of residents in long-term care. It is available to long-term care centers such as CHCC that are members of Leading Age.