Independent Living Day

Was A Success

To The Editor:

Newtown Youth Services’ first participation in Independent Living Day was a wonderful success. The seniors, whom the day revolved around, were so very grateful for the assistance. The many volunteers that worked enjoyed the day as much as the seniors who were helped. Thus is the idea of Independent Living Week.

Connecticut Youth Services Association, in conjunction with AARP, were two organizations given the opportunity to make simple changes in order to allow seniors to maintain their homes with a bit more ease. Over 23 Youth Service Bureaus across the state participated in this intergenerational project. Connecticut is the first state in the country to have both adults and youth work together. What was accomplished on Saturday, May 6, would not have been possible without them. About 60 people from the HS and MS Youth Advisory Boards, other high school and middle school students, students from the Danbury PEP Kids and the Leadership Group from Rogers Park MS and several parents and board members pitched in.

The jobs were many and varied, such as rearranging kitchen cabinets, laundering curtains, gardening, window washing, light housekeeping and general yard work. NYS representatives worked around town from 9 am to 4 pm. Some received Newtown history lessons and everyone – just plain gratitude.

We would like to thank all the seniors who allowed us to come into their homes and to all the businesses who contributed with their generous donations: Newtown Farm and Garden Center; Newtown Country Mill; Lexington Gardens; Bagelman; Subway; and Dunkin Donuts. Thanks to Drug Center and Newtown Hardware for creating and displaying information and useful tools that might come in handy for a senior citizen. Thank you, also, to the Edmund Town Hall for the use of a room that enabled us to provide breakfast and lunch for the volunteers.

No thank you is great enough for Carol Smiley who coordinated this entire day. Her organization and dedication were outstanding. Not to be forgotten are the 60 or so volunteers who gave of their time so willingly to help others. They are too numerous to mention, but they were truly appreciated.

This day was such as success that Newtown Youth Services hopes to follow up with another service day in the future. Once again, our utmost gratitude to all those who participated.

Sincerely,

Deborah Richardson, Director, Newtown Youth Services

Roseanne Loring, Program and Parent Education Coordinator

41-A Main Street, Newtown                                        May 16, 2000