Should you find yourself or a loved one in a nursing home, you'll want to make sure it is connected to Bessie's Hope.  Thank you to Bruce Smith who introduced us to Linda Holloway who is the Co-Founder and Development Director of Bessie's Hope which is a living legacy to her grandmother.  Linda has been a busy woman earning a number of degrees including BA's in Music Therapy and Music Education as well as a Masters in Humanities.  She is also a Board Certified Music Therapist and a Clinical Chaplain.  The mission of this organization is 'Bringing Generations Together.'  Linda shared that 60% of nursing home residents have no one that comes to visit.  Bessie's Hope brings together at-risk youth with nursing home residents.  This program builds relationships that overcome barriers such as culture, ability, age, race and class.  This is the only organization in the country like this!  Bessie's Hope takes a visit to a nursing home to a whole different level by taking the time to provide training to the youth on everything they might experience when walking into a nursing home.  They provide training on how to connect with a hand shake, eye contact, sharing names and compliments.  The focus is on doing activities together and not for the residents of the nursing homes.  This program is changing the lives of both populations.  The Elders get to share their wisdom and life experiences. They feel needed and valued and experience joy again.  For the youth, they get the experience of feeling needed and valued, an increase in self-esteem and the joy that comes from having a positive impact on the lives of others. Hugging is very important.  The focus is on who people are, not what they are labeled.  Many of the youth have grown up in violence and do not realize that there are other answers to problems than violence.  The youth learn and experience empathy and compassion for the first time in their lives.  Linda also shared that they have a program where Dreams Still Come True and they've helped grant these wishes since 1992.   Linda shared the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt 'It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.'  Take time to look at www.bessieshope.org to see some of the dreams that have been granted such as the 91 year old man who got to experience skiing for the first time.   Linda shared that there are numerous opportunities for people to get involved with Bessie's Hope.  Linda closed by singing the chorus of one of the songs often used in their programs where the message is about 'loving me as I am.'  And what fun to see Bruce Smith's  face light up as Linda sang the wonderful song with 'Bruce is Wonderful!'

 

 

Looking for something to warm your heart and help support Bessie's Hope?  Attend one of the performances of Together which starts on August 19th at the Lakewood Heritage Center.  There are a total of 8 performances.  Check out the website, www.bessieshope.org for ticket prices and to order your tickets.