EngAGE
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EngAGE creates community for all ages.
Check out our new FUN Movement & Music class!🎶
Following last month’s successful introductory workshop, we are happy to announce that Robson Freire will now lead a regular class for the next several months. Robson covers a variety of movement styles. During our first regular session, we started with chair-based stretching exercises to music, followed by Rumba, Samba, and much more.
Movement and Music classes support older lifestyles by improving physical health, boosting brain function, and fostering social connection.
Physical Health & Mobility:
- Better balance and gait: Rhythmic movement and music therapy help stabilize walking patterns, which reduces the risk of falling.
- Joint health and flexibility: Gentle stretching, chair exercises, and low-impact dance warm up stiff joints and ease everyday muscle pain.
Heart and Lung Strength:
- Moving to a beat offers safe cardio exercise and breath work that increases endurance.
Cognitive & Emotional Well-Being:
- Familiar songs and active music therapy simultaneously stimulate motor, emotional, and memory centers in the brain.
- Stress and depression reduction: Upbeat rhythms trigger dopamine and endorphins, helping to alleviate anxiety and isolation.
Confidence Boost:
- Accomplishing new movements or learning rhythmic steps increases self-esteem.
Social Connection:
- Shared classes create a sense of community, routine, and belonging that counteracts loneliness.
Encouraged Communication:
- Group singing or collaborative dancing offers a natural, pressure-free environment to interact with peers and caregivers.
Robson Tadeu Freire Crave and Wonder
10/01/2026
Today, we’re celebrating the older adults through creative and healthy living.
On International Day of Older Persons this October 1st, we’re proud to recognize our residents for consistent commitment to their personal health. Through their participation in EngAGE Arts, Wellness, Lifelong Learning, and Intergenerational initiatives they affect their entire community.
By sharing creativity, care, and purpose, our community continues to thrive - together.
09/30/2026
🙆 Tai Chi Walking
During early Thursday mornings in July, a small group of residents met to participate in a Tai Chi Walking Group. Walks are focused on movement, wellness, and connection. Week by week, the group increased their distance and proudly reached their two-mile goal by the end of July—all while enjoying fresh air, conversation, and time together outdoors!
Tai Chi Walking provides gentle physical conditioning, fall prevention, and cognitive engagement for older adults living in community and supportive housing environments.
Prevents Falls: Slow weight-shifting exercises train stability during transitions like turning or changing direction, cutting the risk of falls significantly.
Strengthens Lower Body: Controlled movements build strength in the ankles, calves, thighs, and core without putting harsh pressure on aging joints.
Improves Mobility: Regular practice adapts walking speed and dynamic balance, helping residents maintain functional independence for daily tasks like carrying groceries.
Boosts Cognition: Combining physical movement with mindful attention improves mental processing speed and dual-task coordination.
Reduces Stress: Slow, diaphragmatic breathing calms the nervous system and lowers cortisol levels.
🌳 EngAGE group classes hosted in shared community rooms and outdoor spaces combat isolation and encourage social connection among residents.
09/28/2026
American Sign Language (ASL) workshops are community-based educational programs designed to give residents an introductory understanding of ASL while fostering meaningful connections across generations.
The class is open to residents of all ages and experience levels, with an emphasis on creating an inclusive learning environment where participants can develop a new communication skill regardless of age or prior knowledge. The workshop introduced participants to fundamental ASL concepts, vocabulary, common signs, and basic communication techniques through guided instruction and opportunities for hands-on practice.
In addition, Intergenerational Initiatives at EngAGE provide opportunities for inclusion across generations. A key component of the program is creating opportunities for teens and older adults to participate and learn alongside one another - showing that learning is a lifelong experience and fosters generational understanding across age groups.
Create with Jess Art Show🎨
Create with Jess developed a wonderful group of consistent attendees, and this month’s special art show gave residents an opportunity to celebrate just how far their artistic skills have come.
Residents at The Magnolia at Highland Senior Apartments in San Bernardino continued to build their creative confidence under the guidance of instructor Jessica Hayward. Throughout the project, Jessica introduced techniques such as blending different mediums to create an ombré effect, painting clouds, developing backgrounds and foregrounds, and using creative intuition to personalize each piece.
The showcase gave residents a tangible sense of accomplishment while demonstrating the skills they have developed through consistent participation. By encouraging individual expression alongside skill-building, the class continues to foster creativity, confidence, connection, and pride in each resident’s artistic journey.
09/25/2026
EngAGE Service Projects empower residents to make a meaningful contribution to the broader community, strengthening their sense of community, connection, and belonging. Through the partnership with LA Works, residents experienced the positive impact of giving back while creating welcoming messages and essential wellness kits for individuals transitioning into housing.☺️
LA Works Volunteer, Isaiah, encouraged residents to create cards and wellness kits for newcomers at The People’s Concern, a nonprofit housing and resources provider for Los Angeles’ houseless community.♥️
L.A. Works ⚙️💚 The People Concern
09/23/2026
Summer BBQ & Fun☀️
Residents were treated to a summer BBQ with delicious food, games, DJ/Music and dancing!🌳
EngAGE community-building events create meaningful opportunities for residents to connect, build friendships, and strengthen their sense of belonging. Our summer barbecue brought neighbors together for an afternoon filled with delicious food, music, dancing, and laughter.
DJ Wayne inspired the residents to dance & sing. Thank you, Sandra, for your event coordination, very cool.😎
Donate Here: https://www.longbeachgives.org/organization/Engage
09/22/2026
What does support look like right in your community?
It looks like free of charge, professionally led programs on-site in affordable housing, programs that remove barriers to creativity, learning, wellness, and connection.
Each gift helps us expand and strengthen services that reach more than 6,000 residents each year across 43 communities. By supporting EngAGE, you help create more opportunities for lifelong learning, youth educational support, arts classes, intergenerational connection, and food access.
Give this fall. https://www.engageforlife.org/donate
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Burbank, CA
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