CLASSES AND TALKS

Offered online and in person.

Comforting Others: What to Say and Do

When called to comfort others, we may feel empathy and care deeply, but sometimes what to say or do can elude us.
We will explore how to put compassion into action with practical examples of what to say and do to provide comfort at work and at home.
We will review recent research on empathy, grief, and social support, and examine best practices for how to be helpful.
Finally, we will share our stories of comforting others and learn from each other’s experiences.

Words Galore!

Join Val for a fun and lively hour of wordplay and brain twisters—a word lover’s paradise.
We learn new words as well as explore the history of old words and delve into the origins of words.
We enjoy limericks, riddles, famous quotes, puns, and fascinating trivia about trendy words.
We play guessing games with the dictionary and words-within-word games.
Inspired by Shakespeare, Ogden Nash, or Erma Bombeck, we challenge our wits and might end up with a few laughs.

Reaching Out: 10 Ways to Build Community

(One workshop: A 60-minute program offered in person or online. A 20-minute discussion follows.)

In uncertain times, many are asking, “How can I find my tribe?” 

Instead of looking for your tribe, you can build your tribe through volunteering locally,

taking action for a cause you believe in, participating in classes that inspire you, or hosting

a Trivia night at your local cafe. Join us to learn how to develop your community,   

expand your networks, and pave the way for your future social life.

Poets Live Forever

(60-minute classes about poets and their lives designed for seniors. Available for senior centers and senior living communities.)

Presenting readings and life histories of poets from all ages, Val sparks conversation and reflection on what inspired their brilliant creations.

Along with their poems, we will explore in depth the challenges, passions, and callings of these great poets:

Maya Angelou, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Oliver, Walt Whitman, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Emily Dickinson, Rumi, Robert Frost, Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Theatre Games and Team Building Groups

(In person at local centers in the Greater Boston area)

Providing adaptive programming for groups with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

                  With wordplay, theatre and improv games, making speeches, and storytelling, we build social and communication skills — while having lots of fun.  

TEACHING AND SPEAKING AT A WIDE VARIETY OF VENUES

 Senior centers (Needham Council on Aging, MA, Acton Senior Center, Belmont Beech St. Center)

 Libraries (Newton Free Library, Camden Public Library)

 Lifelong learning centers (Osher Lifelong Learning at UMass Boston, Regis College, University of Rhode Island)

 Community education (Arlington Community Education, Brookline Adult and Community Education)

 Medical centers such as Blum Resource Center at Dana Farber, hospices and patient education programs   

 Continuing education centers at universities (University of Southern Maine)

 Nonprofit agencies (Thrive Support and Advocacy, MA)

 Support groups for people with chronic illnesses, caregiver support groups, grief support groups

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