Teen creates group to reach out to senior citizens
Turning someone's ordinary day into something extraordinary.
That is what Moazzam Khan enjoys most when he and fellow students visit senior citizens in Wauconda.
Last year, Khan, then a junior at Wauconda High School, wanted to share his experience with more students and seniors, so he created a voluntary student organization called PEACE, People Educating And Cultivating Elderly.
Now students who are joining this growing group are enjoying the chance to give back to their community by providing company to area seniors.
"You are giving back to the community and helping to bridge the generation gap," said senior Corinne Feight.
Students recognized the high school did not offer an opportunity like this until Khan created PEACE.
Senior Justin Vlaovic, who works at Wauconda Healthcare and helped Khan start PEACE, said he sees every day people who don't have families. Some face hardships and feel no one is there to support them, he said. "We can interact with them and make them feel loved," he said.
Khan said one goal creating in PEACE was to help students realize the significance of giving back to this segment of the community.
"They took care of their kids growing up. It is our responsibility to make them feel they have people who care about them," senior Kavita Grewa said.
And Khan said he wants to brighten their day.
"When we play checkers or chess with the seniors or tell a few jokes and see a smile on their faces, I feel we've achieved that goal," he said.
Vlaovic recalls that on their first visit they were invited to join seniors yoga class at Liberty Arms. The seniors had fun and so did the students.
"The students who went asked when can they go again. They are ecstatic about going," he said.
Members gather once a week to visit area senior homes including Liberty Arms and Wauconda Healthcare. Khan hopes to plan more frequent visits and affiliate with facilities beyond Wauconda.
Khan also is asking other student groups at Wauconda High to join PEACE and hold special programs. Recently, the drama club joined PEACE to perform some skits at Liberty Arms. Later this year the choir to perform holiday songs at senior homes. All these programs are being well received by the seniors, he said.
A mother of four and grandma to six, Charlene Ehlers said she enjoys seeing the kids at Liberty Arms and chewing the fat on all types of topics.
"These kids seem to really want to know what's up with older people and wonder what we think about teenagers," she said. "They realize some day we will be that age. They wonder, 'What do they think and how do they feel?' "
Fellow resident Mary Rollo said it is fun to be with the students, adding it makes her feel younger.
"By numbers, we may be old but our brains aren't," she said.
The interaction between the generations is stimulating and helps keep the residents young, said James Perlman, who owns Liberty Arms, a home to 128 residents.
"The more activity they can become involved with, the better it is for their wellness," he said.
Khan said it is support from Wauconda High School Principal Daniel Klett and students that has helped the organization achieve success. Khan was honored for his work with the Mayor's Community Service Award earlier this year.
"I was humbled and honored to receive the award from the mayor of Wauconda," he said.
Khan said he hopes to continue educating others in Wauconda about PEACE and spread the idea beyond Wauconda High School.
"I'd like to talk to other schools to implement other programs," he said. "It's necessary that they understand the importance and significance to reach out to the elderly."