OUR SERVICESJewish Home Lifecare’s Manhattan Division was ”alive with the sound of music” one night in June, as couples whirled around the glittering first floor ballroom.
This special occasion was the 15th annual Senior Prom. Over 100 residents attended. Gentlemen wore boutonnières; ladies were adorned with corsages. Some of the women arrived early have their make up applied in the “beauty salon” (on ordinary days, the library).
The Prom was featured in a wonderful story in today’s New York Times. Click the link to access the story
Once More With Feeling: A Really Senior Prom, The New York Times, June 23, 2007
As the beat of the Perry Lee Gross Band picked up, residents, volunteers and staff headed to the crowded dance floor. Wheelchairs and walkers were no obstacle. Assisting those who needed it were volunteers from UJA-Federation and New York Cares.
Leading up to this year’s prom, more informal dances were held twice a month, and professional dancers came in to demonstrate the finer arts of ballroom, salsa and Latin dance steps. “I didn’t need any dance lessons,” said one tuxedoed gentleman. “I won four cups in my day doing the Lindy and the jitterbug.”
The prom at the Jewish Home began 15 years ago, when residents visited Roseland accompanied by New York Cares volunteers. When the Roseland visits ended a decade ago, staff organized dances every other Thursday in the auditorium, helped once again by volunteers from New York Cares.
A doctor who works with many of the prom attendees explained, “This . . . brings back old memories and offers an opportunity . . . to mix with other people and strike up new friendships.” The night’s grand finale was the crowning of the prom’s King and Queen.