Heliopolis Elderly Center

We are currently holding memory writing workshops for our Seniors at the Heliopolis Elderly Center (online). Our day center is a safe space for older persons and individuals. Nevertheless, due to the Covid-19 virus, we are currently holding our Memories Workshop online and individually with volunteers and teachers. In the past, workshops were held at the Heliopolis Elderly Community Center. We hope that after older persons are vaccinated, we can get back to working as we traditionally have.

Our classes run on a weekly basis, with each class meeting for 1-1.5 hour sessions per week. Students can also add to their memoirs when they meet with their weekly volunteers on the phone through WhatsApp (video conference calls). These Memory Workshops help Senior Citizens recall their life stories and capture them through the written word, drawings, and old photographs.

Our volunteers and teachers believe and know that writing and sharing the stories of our lives are essential keys to a productive mind. That is why we believe that our workshops help our Senior Citizens re-live and revitalize their liven memories!!! Our online group calls and sharing sessions involve our seniors taking part in an inspiring group activity. Workshop participants love to write about their lives, not only so that they can have a record, but so that they can leave a legacy for their families and community.

By writing, sharing, reading their stories out loud to one another, and improving their writing and stories with Portuguese language teachers and volunteers, the Seniors experience a sense of achievement, as well as an improved sense of mental alertness, and increased contentment. These workshops also provide our Seniors from Heliopolis with an occasion for reflection and personal satisfaction. As one senior put it, "I think this is a great class for older persons. I have always wanted to write down my life story, but I never thought anyone would be interested or that I would have the time...and it's good at 84 to have new experiences."

In addition to all these great benefits, our participants developed a great sense of empathy for one another since not all memories are happy ones. It was incredibly touching to have a 78-year-old mother tell the rest of the class about the day she lost her son in a motorcycle accident (it brought tears to everyone's eyes). Nevertheless, they also notice how resilient they all are and how they were able to pick up the pieces...after losing a special someone, a business, or experiencing any other kind of personal tragedy.

Through these Memory Workshops, we hope to be able to reach more older persons within our community. Some of our Seniors do not know how to read and write so we hope to be able to use this as a tool for other members to want to continue their education. In order to celebrate the lives and memories of our seniors, we printed their beautiful written work and presented it to them as a gift. A beautiful gift that they can share with their loved ones as they see their lives spring to life on a page!!!

We are deeply grateful to everyone for donating their time and energy to such a lovely project!