Intergeneration Art Program Spotlights Work of Friendship Senior Options Foundation
It was an evening to celebrate the Friendship Senior Options' Foundation work: funding of an art therapy program, benevolent care of residents and employee assistance, and the new inductees to the Sterling Circle, according to Stephen Yenchek, CEO of Friendship Senior Options. "All of these programs are part of the Foundation's work. The art therapy program and clinical counseling are made possible from donations to the Foundation. So too is the financial assistance residents receive if they exhaust their own resources. The Foundation also assists employees with grants when they need financial help during a crisis. It is through the kindness and generosity of donors that make all of this possible and we induct three generous donors into the Sterling Circle tonight."
New inductees whose financial support and "benevolence and kindness make a profound difference in the community" were recognized. They included long-time board member Jan Tucker and her husband, Bowen; IVY Marketing Group that supports FSO with public relations; and Symbria, who offer pharmacy services to FSO. They were all welcomed to the Sterling Circle of supporters.
Chaplain Sehawn Kafadar is responsible for the art therapy program at Friendship Village and organized the 4th annual intergenerational art show with several area schools, K - 12 to showcase the program.
The community was filled with the energy of children, parents and guests who sought out their artwork to show family and friends. Young artists from five schools and hundreds of entries adorned the halls and rooms of Friendship Village. Schools represented included: The Schaumburg Christian Academy, St. Peter Lutheran School, St. Hubert Catholic School and the Hoover Math and Science Academy. Kindergarten through high school students and residents across all levels of care were represented. Musical accompaniment filled the air with members of the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra including: two 6th graders, Tiara Shinohara and Airi Ito, and one 7th grader, Yuma Okada, who played violins as a trio. Quartet players Makiba Kurita and Maika Edwards on violin, James Preucil on voila and Emily Kaspari on Cello. Michael Singer, a freshman at Harper College played the piano.
Throughout the year, Chaplain Kafadar is responsible for the two art therapists and one mental health counselor who intern at Friendship Village each year. The art therapy interns are from Adler University and work over 700 hours at the community in Expressive Arts and Clinical Counseling. This year's art therapy interns, Jeanna Taylor and Catherine Kelly will receive their Master's degree and their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) accreditation upon completion of their internships where they have worked directly with 12 clients and three groups each across the continuum.
"We were surprised how rich this experience at Friendship Village was," confided both Jeanna and Catherine. Personal experience drew them to seniors where they found it rewarding to be part of an emerging industry that cares for the elderly, a marginalized group in our society. Both women will seek work involved with seniors. They were anxious to meet the previous Friendship Village interns who attended the evening's festivities, all of whom have found jobs within senior services. Jenna and Catherine expect to be frequent visitors to the community where they have made many wonderful friends.
Among the 43 entries from Friendship Village residents is the community art project, completed over many hours in a single day during a blizzard. "We worked from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents and their families made paper feathers for wings with their own message attached to each. Those who wished to don the wings could stand in the center for their picture to be taken and offer their own thoughts about who might be the "Wind Beneath their Wings."