Art for the Journey is grateful for the amazing generosity and support from the George J. and Effie L. Seay Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
It is truly rewarding for the staff and volunteers to have been bolstered through this generous grant to facilitate "OMA" the Scripps Gerontology Center/Miami University abstract art program designed to promote well-being for people with dementia and Alzheimers disease (also suitable for those without).
It is with gratitude, and reinforced fortitude, we accept the request to use these funds to broaden and deepen the OMA program to help exponentially more individuals.
From the Seay Foundation: "It is our pleasure to advise you that the Trustee for the George J. & Effie L. Seay Foundation has awarded a grant in the amount of $30,000.00 to Art for the Journey.
This one-year grant was made in support of the following: Opening Minds through Art for Older Adults with Dementia and Alzheimer's (OMA)".
The Richmond, Virginia "Opening Minds through Art" program is conducted at Saint Mary's Woods Retirement Community for residents both with and without dementia. Each week, 25 volunteers attend the Friday program and partner with residents to create beautiful abstract works of Art. An Art Show and reception is held after each 8-10 week sessions.
* In partnership with OMA Founder, Dr. Elizabeth Lokon, Saint Mary's Woods is a demonstrations site for practicums conducted by Art for the Journey to certify others to implement the amazing, impactful and empirical program.
In Richmond, several facilities and organizations including, Westminster Canterbury, Our Lady of Hope, The Cultural Arts Center, the VMFA, and more have experienced the Art for the Journey - OMA - Facilitator practicum. The practicum is in conjunction with an online course through Miami University, OH. Over the past two years, Art for the Journey has certified 73 individuals to implement the program in many assisted living facilities from several of the United States and from Canada and individuals who want to make in impact with this population using art.
The OMA program impacts the elder participants, the families of the elders, the care staff, and the volunteers. Volunteers from VCU ASPiRE, VCU Work study, community volunteers focus on what a person still can do, and in the process learns that elders with dementia can offer joy, wisdom, and friendship. Each person-centered event, truly works towards social change around the attitudes of people with dementia and elders. OMA is facilitated using intergenerational community engagement, the result is beautiful. Follow our blog and Facebook for information about upcoming OMA Facilitator trainings.
