I volunteered for a holiday event and the joy in the eyes of the seniors who have so little was strikingly evident and heart filling. I have attended several jazz events since then, and every time the residents gather very early so they do not miss a moment of the performances, which are always first-rate. The live music brings them alive. They live for these visits, which give meaning to their lives. The contribution of Compassionate Artists to the seniors they serve is priceless.
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Compassionate Artists (C.A.) fills a critical need that is often overlooked: the need for the arts in everyone's life. Disadvantaged seniors, many abandoned by their families, depressed and alone, regularly receive little or no exposure to the arts in any form because their living facilities have such small budgets. Compassionate Artists is filling this crucial gap by presenting live performances and in-person activities. So far, the nonprofit serves facilities in Downey, Lakewood, and Long Beach. The restrictions of COVID-19 required C.A. to pivot quickly, which they did by producing month-long activity booklets and providing art supplies, by which the residents could still feel connected despite being locked down. As a volunteer, i have seen for myself the joy of residents when C.A. comes to call by presenting a performance, or leading a sing-along, or passing out art supplies. These seniors enjoy an unmistakable improvement in the quality of their lives because of C.A. That's what it's all about. All you have to do is imagine being denied the opportunity to witness the arts or not being actively creative, and you can easily see the life-enriching experiences that C.A. provides some of our most vulnerable populations. Give joy where there is no joy.
Compassionate Artists care about elderly residents of full-care homes. They share the arts personally with these dear folks with individual crafts, music presentations and singalongs, and monthly newsletters with ideas and uplifting stories. Even though during COVID we cannot visit in person, Compassionate Artists has sent individually wrapped projects and readings on a monthly basis. When we were “live”, I greatly enjoyed playing piano for and visiting with these wonderful residents. I hope we can begin our visits again very soon.
I had the opportunity to observe first hand the remarkable work Compassionate Artists does in the low income senior-care community when I was invited to photograph several of their "art events" a few years back. I was able to witness such joy and a sense of belonging amongst those senior clients as they participated in the activities provided by CP. It truly was amazing to see, and I was so happy to play a small part in it all. I can't think of a better way to bring the arts to seniors in our community, folks who might otherwise not have access to any of them. Great job Compassionate Artists!!!
Compassionate Artists is a terrific group of volunteers who bring music, arts, and joy to forgotten seniors in Downey, California. Many of the nursing homes they serve have little or no enrichment or social activities for their residents. The volunteers provide so much to these seniors! Music, arts, activities, and social interactions lift the spirit and gives the seniors something to look forward to. What is truly amazing is how Compassionate Artists have been able to continue their mission during the last two years of COVID-19 lockdown. They provided monthly activity packets when they could not visit their seniors in person. This was especially impacrful because social interactions were so limited during COVID-19 and most facilities have no budget for activities. What a truly amazing organization!
June 23, 2020I don't have a story yet....I want a story, a life to look forward everyday, give to others with a smile. But no...I am stuck in this 10x10 room hot, sick, worried, scared, confused, ill, isolated not knowing if things will get worse. I so much would like to change this story around...I know I will some day. I am 58 diagnosed with heart failure, alls thats wrong with me is my heart wont pump strong enough...My medication has blown me up I am getting use to them and started doing better was searching for housing....Now,being cooped up and no one wanting to work is not helping..I have asked for help from my doctor, case workers, senior centers, HUD, LACAD housing, alls I get is go try here..and here only for them to push me out again go here we will put you on wait list..Ive waited over a year..I am so tired, worn out, feel that I cant do anything about this....I am so tired...I am italain, thats how i got to this site...I dont know who you are but will google a place called home after this note. I was searching for housing and got the golden age affordable senior housing..they all are chineese...where do I belong???? Where do I belong?..I am italain,,where do i search???its taken me here...A place called home? I am 58,,,,not 62 or 65....I am disabled on SSDI...food stamps I need help with housing...1 bedroom larger than 10x10 or apartment or studio...or even share a 2 bedroom with another elder...Please help me if you can..my email is jeannie.perri1 at gmail, dot com. I can walk, cook,,run soon? I need to move...feel free again...I want to help others with a smile like you do...Please help me. Jeannie
Every volunteer with Compassionate Artists brings their talent, combines it with their heart and immeasurable love of people to produce an experience of true creativity and joy for every participating individual. One of the best ways of “ paying it forward “ I have ever been blessed to encounter !
I have spent the last few years studying Gerontology and aspects of aging. My goal was to find an organization that fit my ideas of community service, but not just focused on the service but the heart behind the service. I was introduced Compassionate Artists through a fellow philanthropist who saw a fit between myself and the founder. Well she hit the nail on the head! Carol Gibson has created a service out of love and well..compassion! Living in an environment without the arts is unimaginable.
Many senior homes in financially stressed areas are not able to support the arts and that has left a large gap in care for our aging society. Compassionate Artists has created a program that allows us to visit on a weekly to bi- weekly basis with the gift of music and the creative arts at no cost to the facility.
I am a facilitator for the creative arts, and have seen our artists light up when we arrive. They are thirsty for the connection that art and music bring. The creativity and compassion we show to our artists not only brings joy to them but to us as well. Many of these facilities have little or no budget for programs such as ours, and it is a much needed ingredient for our aging society who are placed in homes and left to live out their lives in a place where they are not given the opportunity to express themselves! The music brings joy to those, who without it may often withdrawal from interaction. The creative arts allows for positive brain changes and helps contribute to ones well being. When I look around the room and watch these beautiful people come alive and sing or create a piece of art that they had no idea they could do, I feel so lucky to be a part of it. When we arrive we are welcomed with hugs and smiles, asking "what are we doing today?" Or when I hear "this is so much fun" these are the reasons we do this. We offer our participants (we like to call them our Artists) a safe environment to share emotions, reduce stress and create a little happiness in their day.
The best thing I hear as we are preparing to leave after our sessions is..."when are you coming back?" and that is when we know how important it is to continue and grow this program.
