Community Connection Newsletter | October 2020 | News & Announcements
Quarantine doesn’t have to be boring!
By: Chelsea Ebel
Merriam-Webster defines resilience as ‘an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.’ I can’t think of a word to better describe our friends here at Samaritas. Despite all of the changes they have continued to find reasons to smile and enjoy life.

Recently, we celebrated Oktoberfest. A celebration that is held annually in Munich, Germany. Although, we couldn’t hop on a plane and take off to Germany we still found some great ways to safely celebrate and enjoy the day.
Traditionally, we have a sit down party with food and beverages. In an abundance of caution we decided to host our event as an ‘Oktoberfest Pub Crawl’ where residents could go from station to station and enjoy all things German.

We put on our Oktoberfest necklaces and ate pretzels dipped in beer cheese and stuffed cabbage rolls. We drank German beer and delicious cider from a local cider mill. We learned about the history and origin of Oktoberfest. We also listened to Garman music while dancing with friends. Picked up some word puzzles to challenge our brains. Took silly photos in our photo frame. We even did temporary tattoos!

The afternoon couldn’t have been more perfect. Fun was had by all. It was a great, safe and fun way to celebrate Oktoberfest. No matter what may be going on around us we always find a way to keep smiling and stay engaged. 


Click on the image above to see more pictures from the party.


Get Ready for These Fun Activities
One way Samaritas Senior Living loves giving back to the community is through The Academy. Promoting lifelong learning through free classes from crafting to Yoga, offered to anyone interested! We have some exciting educational opportunities for you in October. Currently, all classes are being held virtually.
The Zoom link will be emailed to you after you register.  

"Namaste Mindful" – Yoga and Mindfulness 101 
Taught by: Joyce Backus, Licensed Yoga Instructor 
Tuesday, October 27 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Do you feel stressed? Are you looking for ways to help reduce your stress? Look no further, we have a great opportunity for you! 

Relax. You’re in good hands. Join Joyce, a Licensed Yoga Instructor, to learn more about yoga and mindfulness. In this class you will learn; what mindfulness is, the benefits of mediation, and how to use the breath to manage and relieve stress. After the discussion Joyce will teach chair yoga poses and show you how to use what you have learned.  
"Falling for You" - Fall Card Making Class 
Taught by: Sherri Winters, The Granny Nanny LLC
Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  
 
Feeling cooped up and wanting to talk to friends and family? Don’t feel ready for a gathering? Send them a beautiful card instead! 

Join Sherri as she demonstrates how to assemble your very own fall cards. Pick up all the necessary supplies at Samaritas of Bloomfield Hills. Not in the area? No problem! Provide us with your address and we’ll be happy to mail it to you. All you need to have is scissors and you can make wonderful cards to share with those you love.  

Registration is required to help us offer participants the best experience possible. Please contact Chelsea or register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/falling-for-you-fall-card-making-class-tickets-124116661275  
We asked a few of our seniors about their scariest memories. Click on the play buttons below to hear what they had to say.
Fred Steiner
Edna Zawacki
Five New Monthly 'Ripple Effects' Donors Needed
Are YOU our next member?
Earlier this year, Samaritas launched its new monthly giving club, Ripple Effects. For as little as $5 a month, you can help provide safety, peace, love, and enrichment to many in need.

The Ripple Effects Monthly Giving Club may provide a convenient opportunity for you to become a donor or increase your annual giving.
Through your gift, you support critical programs that help strengthen and preserve families. You assist us in finding loving foster homes for vulnerable children. You help provide affordable choices and a sense of independence for fellow seniors and persons with disabilities. You also help build a pathway for refugee families in our New Americans program to become self-sufficient. As a member of Ripples Effects, you can make a difference in your community and beyond.

Become a New Ripple Effects Member Today at Samaritas.org/donate. For more information contact Jessica at jscal@samaritas.org or call (313) 308-8892.
Ways Your Monthly Gift Makes A Ripple Effect
$5 MONTHLY
$50 annually - could pay for craft and project therapy supplies for our Samaritas House Heartline women transitioning from incarceration, homelessness and/or human trafficking.

$8.33 MONTHLY
$100 annually - could pay for an individualized life skills class for a young adult aging out of foster care.
$10 MONTHLY
$120 annually - could provide a six-week exercise or enrichment class for resident in one of our senior living or affordable housing communities.

$12.50 MONTHLY
$150 annually - could purchase a car seat for foster families/birth families, or pay for a foster child’s extracurricular activity.
See what else is going on at Samaritas this month!
Check out the list.
Samaritas offers retirement living for seniors with five communities throughout Michigan. Whether you want independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support or rehabilitation therapy, you’ll find a home that feels right.

Contact us at seniors@samaritas.org to schedule a tour, learn about promotions and more.