Isolated Elders Form Strong Ties - Thanks to You! - The Nature Connection
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Spring 2021 Newsletter
Isolated Elders Form Strong Ties —
Thanks to You!
“For people living with dementia,
engagement is key.”
Abbi Laushine has seen firsthand “I see residents
the active engagement that The Nature
Connection brings to elders with smiling, asking
dementia. As Life Enrichment Director
at Bridges by Epoch, a memory care questions, touching,
assisted living facility in Westford,
she values our programming for its
smelling – relating to
inclusive engagement: the content instead of
“You present to people in the way
that is best for them, so that they can letting it passively
participate at any level. I see residents
smiling, asking questions, touching, wash over them.”
smelling – relating to the content
instead of letting it passively wash — Abbi Laushine,
over them.” Life Enrichment Director
at Bridges by Epoch, Thanks to your generosity, Pamela
Creating Close-Knit Communities Westford can feel f luffy Alpaca wool in her
While temperatures were low in hands.
February, elders living with memory
loss at Bridges by Epoch explored wool,
weaving, and the ways that animals find
warmth in winter. Our program staff Autumn Cutting, NC Program A Year of Resilience
dropped off 24 bags of alpaca, sheep, Coordinator, showed some examples Our communities have shown great
and angora rabbit fibers along with a of crochet and knitting during the resilience this year and the same is true
simple loom for participants to practice program, which sparked a lively for our program participants. While
felting and weaving during that month’s conversation within the group about many people sought the outdoors as
virtual program. items they had made using similar a haven for relief from quarantine,
animal fibers: sweaters, a scarf, baby some people in our communities were
clothes... not able to go outside to access the
Autumn invited the elders to play rejuvenation of nature. Some people
with Alpaca wool by first exploring were further isolated away from family,
how easily it comes apart when loose, friends, and the outdoors.
and then twisting it into a cord and The Nature Connection is focused on
pulling on it again. Pamela, an elder bringing social connection and mental
resident, playfully tugged at the wool wellbeing to program participants
and remarked that though the raw this year who are experiencing drastic
material can be pulled apart, it becomes isolation. This is only possible thanks
much stronger as the fibers are weaved to our dedicated network of donors
Bags of wool, yarn, milkweed, and together. Taylor Eagan, NC Program and volunteers. Our supporters
other fibrous materials dropped Director, related this activity to the idea stood together with people in our
off to program participants, made of community resilience saying, “We’re programming and proved that together,
possible by our supporters. stronger together than on our own.” we really are stronger.
The Nature Connection Note from the Executive Director
Board of Directors 2020-21
Andrew Boardman, President
Jennifer Albanese, Vice President
Diane Harwood, Treasurer Dear Friends,
Doug Koval, Clerk
Frann Addison It is spring! With spring comes life, new The importance of
Rhonda Duddy
Joao Evora
growth, refocusing, and fresh potential. getting outside and
The birds chirp again, the sun warms the
Janet Ferone enjoying nature
Robin Kanarek air, and our vegetation grows freely.
Maria Considine King has increased
Angela Yarde We have all lived through a year that has dramatically...
Sarah Seabury Ward, Founder, Board challenged us like never before. The impact of the pandemic,
Member Emerita For those that may
economic instability, and social and racial unrest has changed
Advisors our world on almost every level. In so many respects it has been not have access to all
Joel Andrews unimaginable, and we are just beginning to see the light at the the outdoors has to
ture Connection
Becky Bartovics
Tina Bloom
Note from Executive end of the Director
tunnel. Learning about offer,Bears in Winter, Sp
organizations
it organizationLisa Brukilacchio
about theProgram
meaning of Launch like The Brings
Nature Hands-on
that brings As spring slowly arrives, I feel once again how nature nurtures us in our
d programs to people with Asjoywe
everyday lives. Feeling whenmove forward,
we see April’s firstI bulbs,
continue to think
happiness in
Judith Burton
s to the natural world.
983, The NatureChristine
ConnectionCallahan
caring for (and beingthe word
cared for) byresilience: the act
our pets, or peace of adapting
felt while walking - to change…the ability
How would youto Connection The Nature Connection brin
help kids experience
even briefly - among trees. Each time a child relaxes as he looks into the the warmth a bear feels during frigid in can give the students com
duals together Marcia
with nature’s
ach and to heal.
Chertok become
eyes of the guinea pig strong,
he is petting, healthy,
each time an elderor successful
delights after something
as she runs traumatic
New England temperatures? are incredibly
Staff and and remind them of home.
Rose Lincoln
Justin King has
her fingers through an taken
herb bundleplace. It’s rosemary
and smells being able to work
and thyme: whatwith or within the change,
volunteers at The Nature Connection
important.” Through this new partnersh
a difference nature makes in people’s lives. bring ice and crisco!
irectors Ellen Leigh as opposed to succumbing to it. This is exactly what The Nature The Nature Connection hop
ident Liz Loudon Because of your generosity, our staff and volunteers are able to bring each season indoors, One February afternoon, at our newest to bring balance, socializati
, Vice President and right into the hands of our program Connection did by
participants. From thehelping members
crunchy leaves of fall, to of our community who
youth site, U
.S.bare
— their
six students placed Congress
and inspiration to each stud
ee, Treasurer Nicole Pecorelli hands in a pail of ice water. They squealed Each program is designed t
nese, Clerk Dick Pleasants were
the bird nests of spring. With each visit, already
a child struggling
is empowered withfound
by her newly complex
ability tomental health illnesses; woman
at the bitter cold that touched their skin. Lori Trahan
foster positive social dynam
plant a seed and grow her own food; an elderly gentleman remembers exploring tidepools
dman Then, each child rubbed dense during
crisco on herboth
remarks
ok Alan Rom disabilities; and social, emotional,
in his youth, with their seaweed and sea creatures, as he watches a hermit crab slowly and behavioral challenges.
their hand and brought it back to the ice.
between students, as w
for Inspire as2021
between students and sta
Nancy Stillman emerge from its shell. We continue to provide programming to assist people of all ages It didn’t feel cold to them anymore! In turn, this can lead to pos
ine King
Rebecca Reynolds WeilWithin the past year, our programming has grown by 25%. As part of that growth, we are community engagement.
lli
to weather the storm, build
now reaching more young children, such as the children at Littleton Academy—a group
coping skills, identify and reduce
“I’m so excited to bring to When it came to the crisco a
Staff
y Ward, Founder, Board home where kids go to school on campus— stress, practice
as well as Nashobaself-awareness
Learning Group,and self-regulation…ultimately,
a school for ice activity, the students we
ta
children with autism. With each new site, we are on our way to meeting our goal to lead the our kids experiences they
Kimberly Simmons,effortExecutive Director to be resilient.
to make animal and nature-assisted therapy widely practiced in Greater Boston. could never have otherwise.” eager to share this experime
with the Wayside Youth staf
Taylor Eagan, Program Director Penny Russell said Taylor Eagan, Program
As E.O. Wilson, an American biologist and author, once said, “Nature holds the key to our
ein Jennifer Reilly, Development and
aesthetic, intellectual, Thespiritual
cognitive and even Nature Connection
satisfaction.” I trulycould
believe not have adapted and remained
this. Nature trueDirector,
Program to our mission without
Manager for The Nature
cs Marketing Director Wayside Youth Connection.
your invaluable support and generosity. We have not just survived,
nurtures. Thank you for making this organization what it is today. With your support, we weMA have found ways to
Autumn Cutting, Program Coordinator
are able to bring nature to individuals who need it the most. Framingham, “The kids explained the who
hio
Carol Hani, Program Coordinator thrive. On behalf of our talented and dedicated team, I hope this newsletter inspires you
activitythe
and led their staff
members through it,” she sa
ahan
Judith Aronstein, Program Consultant way your support has transformed the lives of others. These students are residents at the “The staff regularly sit with
Wayside Youth and Family Support us and engage with nature
Sophie Wadsworth Here’s to a warm and opportunity-filled season! Network’s Framingham location. This is right along side the kids:
a residential treatment center for youth, whether making their own t
s The Nature ConnectionExecutiveInc.Director ages 11-18 years old, who face challenges, blend, using moss to cover a
P.O. Box 155 including mental illness and behavioral or talking about chinchillas
n
olds Weil
Concord, MA 01742 and/or addiction issues. animals adapt to winter.”
Tel: 978-369-2585 Since students live on campus, many Currently, Wayside Youth s
have pets waiting for them at home. The are working together with T
worth, ExecutiveEmail:
Director info@nature-connection.org Kimberly Simmons, M.Ed. animals, plants, and other materials that Connection to grow a comm
ke, Director of Development
Program Manager
www.nature-connection.org Executive Director
Program Coordinator
eppard, ProgramProgram
Coordinator participants’ names have ksimmons@nature-connection.org
been changed.
Concord Resident and Volunteer Join
n, Program Consultant
hael, Bookkeeper
, Website Volunteer Since Dave Witherbee saw
@nature-connection
Marketing and Communications program with The Nature C
OUR MISSION is to improve the has been impressed by how
Connection Inc. @the_nature_connection wellbeing of individuals and with one another.
A 01742 communities through the therapeutic “The kids aren’t worried ab
wrong,” he said. “They are
9-2585
@NatrConnection use of nature. Founded in 1983, The ‘we’re all learning it togeth
@nature-connection.org ‘Let’s try to figure this out t
-connection.org Nature Connection delivers impactful He recalls seeing kids in a
cycled paper. nature-based programs to people with Connection ocean program
Watertown Boys and Girls
limited access to the outdoors. patiently worked together
one half of a shell with the
Maura Kate Moore
Printed on recycled paper. The Nature Connection Witherbee observed how w
media: welcomes Dave Witherbee shared and collaboratively
as new Board of Directors’ with one another.
2 | The Nature Connection
Ellen Spring
Leigh, an advisory 2021 gets kisses from her therapy dog, Ricky, at
board member,
Connection event.
treasurer.
nnection @NatrConnection a recent Nature
ure Connection Spring 2018
From Resilient, To Thriving
The Nature Connection’s partners,
participants, volunteers, and donors
have shown incredible resilience
22
Program
691
Bags of nature
this past year. Here are just a delivered
Sites –
few of the ways that we have
our highest
strengthened our partnerships number
250
and impact in 2020 and 2021 ever!
with your support.
People
21
TWIG activities
served
shared
“[NC] does
8
New grant
9
New Corporate
a wonderful job
helping children
find focus, connection
partners sponsors
with each other,
mindfulness, and
2x
the grant
noticing the beauty and
the power of nature.”
— Royce McGrath,
income Supervisor of Children’s Services,
Concord Free Public Library
Branching Out with
New Partnerships
The Nature Connection is participating in the
Service Enterprise Initiative (SEI) this year through
the Massachusetts Service Alliance and Points
of Light.
This program is designed to increase our volunteer
capacity and community impact by leveraging
The Nature Connection is proud to learn, take action, and
our strong volunteer base in all aspects of our
to be named an UP Designated embrace inclusivity as a core
organization and improving the volunteer
organization by the Mass organizational value.”
experience.
Cultural Council in recognition
As part of the UP Network,
NC staff are completing a series of trainings this of our work to make nature
we are learning from other
spring and then will begin growing accessible for all people.
cultural institutions in MA and
and developing our volunteer
Universal Participation (UP) improving our accessibility
program over the next year.
Designated organizations practices.
are recognized based on
criteria showing they have
“demonstrated a commitment
The Nature Connection Spring 2021 | 3
P.O. Box 155, Concord, MA 01742
Address Service Requested
Is your organization looking
for affordable virtual or
in-person programming?
Send us a note at
info@nature-connection.org
Thank you for raising $20,500 Inspire
We are energized
and grateful for your
Thursday
to support community resilience!
Rooted in Resilience
May 6th
outpouring
7 pm of support
for Inspire 2021. Once
Animal
Hangout at
again you showed that
6:45 pm
(Optional)
physical distancing
can’t stop us from
taking care of our communities.
Inspire 2021 featured big laughs from
our host, Vance Gilbert, and meditations
on the power of nature to restore
and revitalize from guest speaker,
Alan Lightman. With heartwarming
stories about program participants
and a friendly animal fundraising
competition, we surpassed our
fundraising goal and ensured that
hundreds of our neighbors have access
A young participant comes out of her shell when meeting to much-needed relief, connection, and
Caulif lower the Chicken (the winner of our Inspire animal joy through animals and nature.
fundraising competition!)
You can also read
