"A Taste of Joslyn," a special VIP open house, was held Oct. 7 at The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. Following a reception that featured some pretty skilled line dancers, the evening began with a welcome from the organization's new executive director, John Brennan, who hails from the Emerald Isle.
As he told the crowd, there is something very special about The Joslyn Center. It's not just a place, and it's not just a senior center. It's a hub where people can come to engage and learn. It's a place that brings people together.
Brennan thanked the people who believe that older adults deserve more than a place to simply pass the time. He said people deserve opportunity and connection. They deserve wellness. They deserve dignity. And they deserve a community
that recognizes the incredible value that The Joslyn Center brings to the community.
He said in these highly charged political times, and with midterms around the corner, we hear a lot of talk of blue waves and red waves. But the wave we need to be preparing for is the silver one — and to be honest, he said, it's not a wave, it's a tsunami.
Nationally, it is projected that the total number of Americans 65+ will expand significantly, with some figures putting it at 78 million by 2035. One in four residents in California is expected to be 60 or older. In the Coachella Valley the baseline is already much higher: Seniors age 65 and older make up more than 22.6% of the local population, far exceeding the current national average of 16%.
Next to speak was Barbara J. Mitchell, LCSW, board president, who talked about the center's Arthur Newman Theatre and her sponsorship of it in tribute to Arthur and Patty Newman. Arthur served on the Joslyn's board from 2000 to 2008 as treasurer and chair, offering thoughtful guidance and a deep dedication to older adults throughout the Coachella Valley. His contributions helped cultivate a space where people gather, learn, perform and find joy, a testament to his belief and love of the arts.
Patty's partnership in this work has been equally meaningful and continues to this day. She and Arthur were active with the Newman's Own Foundation and have contributed countless dollars to nonprofit organizations since the 1980s.
In-kind caterers at the event included Atria Senior Living, Segovia Oakmont Senior Living, The Carlotta Ivy Signature Living, Caleo Bay Memory Care and Transitional Assisted Living, Vista Cove Rancho Mirage Memory Care and Ladies of the Kitchen.
More than 100 people were in attendance at the open house. Thank you to Greg Murphy, Tomm Belanich and all the volunteers who made the event possible.
Event sponsors included the R.E.A.P. Founation and Katherine Vilas, co-presenting sponsors; Barry Kaufman and Margo Handelsman and Jan Salta, administration building sponsors; Barbara Mitchell in honor of Patty and Arthur Newman, Arthur Newman Theatre sponsor; the City of Palm Desert, building maintenance in-kind sponsor; Stephen Gale and Sin Wee Koh-Gale and Indus Medical Associates, Joslyn Wellness Center sponsors; Lindi Biggi and Shadow Mountain Golf Course, outdoor pickleball courts sponsors; and the Edeltraud McCarthy Foundation, wine and sparkling wine sponsor.
The Joslyn Center serves approximately 200 families per week with its food bank program, and the center's more than 3,100 members look to the nonprofit for programs, relationships, resources and connection. In addition, there is a focus on fitness with Food for Life classes, yoga, resistance band training, tai chi, line dancing classes and more.
There is also a cancer support group and more than 75 activities per month.
In addition to physical activities, The Joslyn Center is dedicated to promoting the emotional health and well-being of older adults through compassionate accessibility and counseling services. About seven years ago, the wellness center began individual counseling sessions at no charge. Today, there is a team of three therapists, one supervisor and one intake coordinator providing short-term, solution focused counseling and more.
Annual membership at the Joslyn Center is just $30 a year. Donations are welcome and very much needed to ensure that every senior knows their door is always open, as is their hearts. Learn more at joslyncenter.org.
Carole Stephen-Smith began writing in Scotland for a women's weekly at the age of 15 and later covered American celebrities for the London Evening Echo. After relocating to the desert, she wrote for Desert Woman in the 1990s. Stephen-Smith focuses on charities that assist women, medical causes — especially breast cancer awareness — and all aspects of child abuse.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Joslyn Center kicks off season with VIP open house
