October 21, 2022
Planetary Scientist Carl Sagan once said, “One of the greatest gifts adults can give – to their offspring and to their society – is to read to children.”
Putting books into the hands of children and forming meaningful intergenerational relationships is a priority for Arrow Senior Living communities! To support our efforts, we have launched what we call “Arrow Story Corner.” Each month a resident records the reading of a children’s book that highlights an “Arrow Tradition,” and these stories are shared online for all to hear. This tradition has grown from our company-wide Black History Month Story Corners, where residents all around Arrow Communities read children’s books highlighting black figures in history.
To support small businesses and literacy efforts, we host a fundraiser and partner with the EyeSeeMe Children’s Bookstore to purchase and donate copies of the books we read to local schools, and then a portion of our fundraising efforts also support The EyeSeeMe Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to create programs that increase childhood literacy for under-served communities and to promote African American History and multicultural literature that will increase respect and tolerance for diverse cultures.
This month, Hudson Grande Senior Living is taking things a step further and embarking on the adventure of monthly Story Corner events in our community. One of our very own residents will read the Story Corner book of the month to children, as well as other residents, and share in a craft event and snack time. The featured book will then be added to our community library for residents to read to visiting grandchildren. A copy of the book will also be donated to local schools with which our community partners.
Storytelling is one of the oldest forms of entertainment. I think Story Corner is a great source of entertainment for our residents and the listeners. The residents get to read the book, but they also get to see the kids enjoying being read to. The kids get to hear a good book being read, but also get to do crafts and eat snacks. Story Corner is playing a key part in intergenerational bonding.
We are hoping to partner with a couple different local schools and daycares in the area. We plan to invite them all and have a big turnout for these Story Corner events, and other events like it.
We had several volunteers to read for this last Story Corner. I had some ladies who were excited to read in person to whoever came in. We have a bunch of residents that love to read on their own time. So, getting to read “cute books” as they say, is fun for them.
Dr. Seuss was a popular answer when I asked residents what their favorite books were to read to their children and grandchildren. Someone also said, “I loved reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar to my grandchildren.”
All our Arrow communities encourage adults to give the gift of reading to youngsters. The relationships formed during the time spent between the reader and listener can be life changing for both generations.
Hudson Grande Senior Living in Hudson, Ohio offers assisted living and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Conveniently located just north of the Stow-Hudson Towne Center with easy access to a wide variety of attractions and local shopping.
