Brooklyn seniors rocked around the Christmas tree earlier this month at JASA’s annual holiday party, complete with carols, cocoa, crafts and more.
Staffers and residents of JASA, New York City’s go-to organization for older adults, gathered at the group’s Williamsburg location on Dec. 14 for a day of festive activities. The party included everything you need to make the season bright – including dozens of partiers with music, dancing and gifts.
According to Jessica Infante, program director at JASA, the agency’s goal was to make celebrating the holiday more accessible for people of all ages.
“A lot of the residents do live by themselves and sometimes their families also live far away and can’t spend the holiday with them so we do this,” Infante told Brooklyn Paper.
Residents started the day by making their own ornaments and decorating the center’s Christmas tree. Organizers then gathered everyone for lunch, featuring a live DJ and raffles.
Infante and her client advisory board organized the event, focusing on ways to keep older adults from feeling lonely during the winter season. Clients who couldn’t come out to celebrate were sent party supplies at home so they could join in on the fun virtually.
The program director also arranged a Christmas movie viewing and other little projects here and there in the hopes of involving seniors so they don’t feel isolated.
“Just to bring joy to the seniors and having a place where they could just come and enjoy the holidays, celebrate and have fun,” she said. “That’s why we decided to plan this party for them.”
