from including: Community Outings
Individuals learn appropriate social skills and safety awareness by participating in various planned community activities. Individuals are exposed to historical, educational, and recreational events and places in their community. Appreciation of community, enhanced social etiquette, and most important, the opportunity for choices, is the focus of this service.
The following is just a sampling of the many outings that are offered:
- Tours
- Museums
- Visits to Local Restaurants
- Library
- Art Shows/Galleries
- Concerts
- Mass and Spiritual Activities at Local Churches
- Picnics
- Shopping
- Walks in the Community
Arts And Crafts
Individuals learn functional skills while incorporating problem solving and communication into each activity. Individuals are taught functional skills such as stamping, floral arrangement, wood working, drawing, painting, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, creating jewelry, hand rolling and shaping clay, stenciling, cutting, gluing, assembling, and glazing. Communication skills are taught through choice of subject matter, color, shape, pattern and texture.
Recreational Activities
Individuals learn skills in coordination, turn taking, social awareness, following game rules and team work. Individuals choosefrom a variety of sports and games and learn techniques to participate and have fun while learning.
Some of the activities include but are not limited to:
- Bowling
- In house Bocce
- Horseshoes
- Yahtzee
- Card Games
- Board Games
- Bingo
Plant Care
Individuals learn skills needed to grow and care for various plants and foliage. Functional skills taught include potting, scooping soil, planting seeds, weeding, and pruning, watering, misting, and utilizing horticulture tools. Learn to identify various plants and needs of each plant as well as responsibility and care. Plant growth provides visual reinforcement for the individual's work.
Discussion Groups
Discussion Groups provide seniors with the opportunity to discuss various topics of interest, and offers the opportunity to express themselves while sharing their views with others. Through group discussions and role playing, seniors are able to enhance problem solving skills and communication skills. One popular area of discussion is current events. This allows seniors to be aware of what is happening in their community as well as globally. It further enhances their orientation to reality. Various media sources are used daily.
Social Skills Activities
Social Skills are enhanced during the day by incorporating these skills into daily activities through game playing, group projects, activities, and community outings. Seniors are involved with Hospitality Group (correspondence via mail, phone calls, and visits), musical performances, and integration with various age groups in the community.
Vocational Opportunities
The choice to participate in vocational opportunities is very popular. Assembled piecework jobs are subcontracted from businesses in the community. Individuals learn skills needed to complete vocational jobs and piecework. Other opportunities include creating floral arrangements, hand crafted items, and handmade greeting cards sold at the Barber National Institute's Gift Shop. Participating in vocational opportunities provides seniors with a sense of accomplishment and a pay check.
Volunteerism
Volunteerism is an important aspect of the Senior Center because it provides ways to contribute to the community. Seniors gain a sense of self worth by sharing their talents and time with others. 
Some of the volunteer opportunities that seniors enjoy participating in are:
- "Buttons are Us" Group (making and selling buttons for various events)
- Nursing Home visitations
- Presents for Patients
- Creating various decorations for special events and organizations
- Performing for others
- Assembling badges for school programs through the Erie County Sheriff's office
- Correlating correspondences
Special Events Celebrations
Dynamic, fun filled activities are planned with a particular theme in mind. This provides opportunities for seniors to learn more about the theme subjects while having fun. It also highlights important events in the seniors' lives. Planning for these events enhances problem solving skills, communication skills, and further develops interests.
Health And Wellness
Individuals learn identification of medical and safety terminology and symbols, medical desensitization, health and nutritional information. The importance of exercise and health related skills are taught via various exercises.
Intergenerational Activities
Activities are developed and shared that expose different generations to each other and nurture a positive relationship for all participants. Seniors travel to local day care, preschools, and elementary schools and students visit the seniors to participate in activities that are enjoyed by both young and old. Seniors have enjoyed performances given by students of all ages, and, in turn, have themselves performed for students.
