Youth groups in the Santa Clarita Valley are being encouraged by Oakmont of Valencia Executive Director Margie Veis to visit the community for an intergenerational activity with the senior residents.
This invitation was inspired by three “young ladies” from the West Creek / West Hills area near Oakmont of Valencia who held a lemonade stand in the community, according to Veis.
“They charged $1 a lemonade and then worked out the business aspect, so it was a learning experience for them, but then they donated half of their money back to Team Oakmont for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s,” Veis said. “How wonderful is that? It really touched us.”
The event “warmed” Veis’ heart, and she noted she is “such a believer” in intergenerational activities like the lemonade stand.
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“Bringing the youth to meet our seniors, it starts to break down that barrier, and these young ladies are going to have the vision of a beautiful community where the seniors were supporting them and so happy to see them, versus when I was younger and in Girl Scouts and you went to a skilled nursing and it was a completely different feel,” Veis said. “It changes your perception of a senior, so this is starting everybody on the right track. “
Local high school Key Clubs, troops from the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts or any other youth organizations in Santa Clarita can plan their own intergenerational activity at Oakmont of Valencia too, according to Veis.
“We’re open and really encourage bringing the young ones in to meet our seniors and do an activity,” she said. “Play a Bingo game, tell a story, share a story — anything to break down that wall and build (those) relationships between our youth and our seniors.”
