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Ahh… the sweet smell of almost-spring air, and fresh paint, is here!
Over the past several weeks, our spaces have had quite the makeover. New floors, refreshed walls, updated furnishings, and reimagined workspaces. It has been a major overhaul, made possible by the final funds from the Department on Aging’s Bridge to Recovery grant- resources originally designated to help organizations like ours strengthen infection control and safety in the wake of COVID (ie. removing carpet and fabric surfaces, improving airflow and spacing… yes, please!).
And while the results are looking beautiful, I want to double down on why this “makeover” is about so much more than aesthetics; the environment at Friendship Center is an integral part of the care we provide.
Yes, we offer joyful activities – dancing, music, purposeful movement, art, laughter, conversation, and so much more. But the experience of care also lives in the subtle details: the chair someone sits in, the light in the room, the ease of moving through a space, the feeling that you are somewhere dignified, welcoming, and safe.
When someone walks through our doors, whether as a member, caregiver, staff member, or friend, we want them to feel something immediately: comfort, respect, and belonging.
I want our space to feel like a hug just as much as the ones we give to one another.
I want our space to invite conversation, spark an idea, an emotion, a memory. It can restore a sense of normalcy. It can even restore confidence in someone who may be losing pieces of it.
So while it might look like a standard renovation, what we were really doing was strengthening the foundation of our mission: creating an environment where our members, families, and staff can thrive.
And I have to say… it feels great. We are so excited to see the pieces all come together.
This season has brought so many changes to life at Friendship Center, and it reminds me how much this place continues to grow because of the people who care about it.
We’ll be sharing photos soon but, honestly, the best way to experience it is to come see it for yourself. |
