Directors letter – February 2023
I am excited to announce that we have hired a new Program Coordinator, Carrie Harris! Below is a short message from Carrie, who will mostly be in the office Monday-Thursday.
“I am excited to be joining Sno-Valley Senior Center and Sound Generations! I have lived in Duvall for almost 26 years, with a brief respite of living on Whidbey Island, which was enjoyable and much needed, but I am happy to be back! I raised two kids here, from Cherry Valley Elementary through Cedarcrest HS, they have been living their lives in many locations, but I am thrilled that last fall brought them both back to the PNW! In addition to working here, I am a yoga instructor and I work a couple of days a month at a wine tasting room in Woodinville. I look forward to meeting you all in the coming months, please stop in an introduce yourself anytime!”
We are grateful to have Carrie joining our team, she brings experience at Holy Innocents Food Pantry and has been
jumping in to the position with both feet. If you have questions, Carrie’s email address is carrieh@soundgenerations.org
As we start the new year, our Far East Senior Hub (FESH) programming is expanding!
The Far East Senior HUB (FESH) is a partnership formed in 2019 between Sno-Valley, Mt. Si and Issaquah Senior Centers as a result from joint funding received from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. (VSHSL). As the FESH we are very lucky to collaborate with external organizations, including SeaMar, Indian American Community Services, Gen Pride, Age Pride, Pride Across the Bridge, POCAAN, Empower Youth Network, Encompass, WATAP, Asian Ambassadors and more wonderful groups to bring in diverse programming to seniors in Snoqualmie Valley.
Some of the FESH events coming up in 2023 at the Sno-Valley Senior Center include working with SeaMar to provide Spanish speaking programming for seniors from all over the world! SeaMar has successfully participated in our first Spanish Speaking movie day watching the movie EnCanto in Spanish and enjoyed a lively Drums Alive class as well as monthly lunches. As a result of our SeaMar partnership we have started beginning Spanish classes once per week! Are you curious about speaking Spanish and learning something from our elders or have a family member that speaks
Spanish? Come visit with SeaMar seniors the third Monday of every month from 10-1pm, and ask us about our beginning Spanish language class!
We are also currently working with Indian American Community Services to plan Chai and Chat tea and social gatherings in person once per month alternating between the three centers in the HUB. This February Sno-Valley will be hosting its first Chai and Chat with IACS on Friday, February 24th at 1pm – 3:30pm. Come have fun with Bollywood music, games, tea and snacks! All are welcome.
In March we are also co-hosting our first LGBTQ+ Pride Across the Bridge partnership brunch at the Redmond Pancake House to bring seniors together. March 7th at 10:30 am. Come meet new friends! Monthly Pride brunches to be held the first Tuesday of every month.
Finally, every other Monday at 4pm we host a new Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging group to make space for
important conversation. Converse about current events, go on field trips and learn from folks in the community to build bridges and learn about equity, ageism, inclusion, belonging and more. See calendar for dates.
For more information on FESH programming, please reach out to Valerie at valeries@soundgenerations.org
It’s an exciting time at the Sno-Valley Senior Center! If you have comments, questions, or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me at kiraa@soundgenerations.org or 425-333-4152.
Kira Avery, Executive Director