One of the things that makes the Genesis Intergenerational program so meaningful is that it provides an opportunity for connection that can at times be difficult to find for city residents. Genesis was founded on the principle that strong and vibrant communities are built on a network of social support between its members. In fact, this network of support is the lifeline of the program which centers around connections between older adults, young moms who grew up in foster care, and stabilizing families. This year has tested the strength of the Genesis community as many of our residents have been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the quarantine precautions put into effect brought with it an increased risk of social isolation. However, it is in times of trials that community support is needed more than ever. That is why we were so grateful to be able to sponsor a virtual Social Justice art class this summer for our Genesis residents. For the months of July and August, Genesis residents were able to connect weekly over Zoom where they used art as a way to express themselves freely and to relieve mental stresses brought on by the sudden and unexpected challenges of the year.

The art class was designed to increase the social connections between residents, increase positive self-esteem for seniors and children, decrease senior isolation, and increase participants’ understanding of how their neighbors perceived their community. Each week of the class focused on a different theme. Some examples include the “I am” art project where residents express who they see themselves as in a poetic and colorful way, and the “Circle Talk” project where residents selected a photo to sketch that represented what community meant to them. In addition to covering various topics, the art class introduced several forms of art to residents including pop up art, abstract paintings, and mosaics. In addition to fostering connection, these art classes also acted as a stress reliever for some of the participants. Donald Tillery, a long-standing resident at Genesis was new to art when he started taking this summer art class. “I learned how to create drawings using my own ideas that I saw in my mind. Cecilia [the art facilitator] helped me to see that and to draw things. It relaxes me and keeps my mind active, especially at my age,” He said of the class. In a study published by Harvard Medical School, researchers demonstrated that art can be especially beneficial for people in preventing depression and anxiety, and can improve cognitive function such as memory, reasoning, and resilience in healthy older adults (“The Healing Power of Art.” Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2017).

Art was already a part of the Genesis community. When someone enters the building, they can see a mural of some of the residents painted beautifully across the walls. Now it is even more embedded into the heart of the community. Even now that the class has ended, some of the residents still create art as a hobby or form of self-care.