Persian Center's "Senior Parent's Club"

New Pics as of August 2005

Since January of 2005, the Persian Center has been honored to host the Senior Parent's Club gatherings on the last Wednesday of each month from 6-9pm. Every month, we've hosted a different event and have invited various local professionals to join us as guest speakers. The speakers generally have discussed topics related to aging.

Summary of past events:

• January: Dr. Yassamin Hazrati; orthopedic surgeon.
• February: Dr. Ali Moharrami, Podiatrist.March: Instead of the regular gathering, parent's joined at the Chaharshanbeh Soori festivitiesApril: Dr. Ramin Royaie, Urologist. (See photos from this gathering)
• May: Poetry Night

The steady crowd of parents (15-20) who were practically strangers at the first meeting in January, have now become friends and have exchanged phone numbers and keep in touch in between meetings. If they don't get a reminder call a few days before the meeting, they are sure to call the Center and confirm that the meeting is indeed going to be happening.

It is such a joy and privilege to get The Center ready for these angels on the last Wednesday of every month. Some get dropped off by their children, some take the bus, and with the help of their cane, slowly stroll down Durant Ave. towards the Center. Some drive on their own, and some walk all the way. No matter how they get there, they all have one thing in common. They are all REALLY happy to be there.

The sense of community is quite present amongst them. When one of the regulars didn't show up in April the others didn't want to start the meeting without her. So, we had to call and find out the reason for her absence before we got started.

Now that the parents know what this group is all about, and what it has to offer them, they are eager to share and are calling their friends to join them at the next gathering. One of them even said that as he was walking in the street, he over heard some people speaking Farsi and he walked over and told them about the next event.

As a volunteer helping around this event, what I've got is that these gatherings are a lot more than just getting together to listen to a lecture. The lectures have been great, and are what brings the parents together, but I've also realized what these gatherings are all about. They are about reaching out to your own kind, they are about being understood, about knowing where you've come from, about identity, respect, they are about being someone and last but not least, about a sense of belonging.

Bring your parents to the next gathering and see for yourself. Stay tuned for regular updates.

Shadi Razifard, Persian Center Volunteer

For more information on this program please contact us at: shadi.razifard@roche.com

Some photos from the parent's gathering with Dr. Royaie