By Rose Chavez/PREVIEW Columnists
The Community Foundation of the San Luis Valley along with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) are working together to administer infrastructure grants to small community based organizations like Archuleta Seniors Inc. that have a track record for providing effective, culturally responsive, and relevant programs and services to communities who have historically been underrepresented, underserved or under resourced in Colorado.
These funds are to be used for one or more of the following eligible projects: data technology needs including data collection and technology infrastructure; professional development for staff and board members; strategic planning and organizational development for capacity building, fundraising and other services; communications; and existing program expansion, development or evaluation.
Funds are not eligible to be used on the following expenses: capital improvement projects, real estate or land acquisition, payment of debt, advocacy or lobbying, organizing, and endowments or reserves.
Archuleta Seniors Inc. (ASI) is a recipient of $14,000 in DOLA funds to support the development of a five-year strategic plan. The ASI board of directors, staff and Pagosa community will work together with a facilitator to engage in the strategic planning process throughout 2024.
For more information, contact ASI executive director Rose Chavez at rosa@psseniors.org.
Healthy aging yoga therapy class series
This winter, a healthy aging yoga series will be offered as a hybrid class at the Pagosa Senior Center on Mondays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Classes will be structured by therapeutic yoga tools and techniques with chair movement, standing stretches, gentle postures, breathing practices and reflective meditative moments.
Monthly themes for the series will include topics such as sustainable strength for healthy aging individuals, brain health, heart and cardiovascular health, mental and emotional well-being, community connections, and stress management, to name a few.
Classes will be educational for participants to utilize practices in daily life and are meant for all levels of experience with yoga.
The class is hosted by local yoga therapist AJ Connors, with a hybrid focus for the winter months, blending in-person, online and, occasionally, recorded classes. Zoom sessions will be streamed at the Senior Center to provide the community experience to practice together or can be accessed at home if weather is a factor.
Mats and chairs will be provided at the Senior Center; some blocks and Therabands are available, too. The addition of yoga props is always welcomed.
We are requesting that individuals who are new to joining the series arrive early for intake inquiries and to please communicate with AJ directly by emailing ajconnorslove@gmail.com.
Yoga therapy monthly themes and tentative schedule
January: Healthy Aging and Brain Health.
February: Heart Health Month and National Cancer Prevention Month.
March: Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Brain Injury/Health Month.
April: Stress Management Month, Cancer Control and Parkinson’s Awareness Month.
May: Mental Health Awareness Month, Older Americans Month, Stroke and High Blood Pressure Awareness.
June: Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month.
A tentative yoga therapy schedule for the next few months follows, with in-person subject to change.
Jan. 29: In person.
Feb. 5: Zoom.
Feb. 12: In person.
Feb. 19: Zoom.
Feb. 26: Recording.
March 4: Zoom.
March 11: Zoom.
March 18: Recording (potentially Zoom).
March 25: In person.
April 1: Zoom.
April 8: Zoom.
Mindful drawing
Mindful drawing is an easy-to-learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Join our friendly instructor, Roberta Strickland.
Classes are every Wednesday at 1:15 p.m. in the Senior Center. This activity is open to all ages. Help us create an intergenerational community. For those under 18 and/or with disabilities, you are welcome to join us, but we kindly ask you to please bring an adult chaperone with you.
Bingo
The Senior Center will be hosting bingo twice a month on Friday afternoons from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
Bingo will be on Feb. 9 and Feb. 23.
The price to participate is free and we ask you bring yourself and a friend for joyful fellowship. We will provide prizes from local businesses for all winners and snacks will also be provided.
No RSVP is required; just show up. All ages are welcome, but we ask those 18 and younger to come with an adult chaperone.
For more information, contact us at (970) 264-2167.
T’ai Chi Chih and mindfulness-based meditation
The Senior Center will be offering T’ai Chi Chih with accredited…
Read More: Archuleta Seniors Inc. receives Department of Local Affairs funds