OUR MISSION
At Fundación Yolanda Laprea we combine wellness of mind, body, and soul, providing artistic, recreational, educational, and social activities to improve the quality of life of the elderly. Our commitment is to inspire, inform, and reaffirm the dignity and value of the older adult population within our community.
OUR ACTIVITIES
Experienced entertainers and health professionals design all of our programs. They are oriented to directly benefit older adults within a culturally sensitive environment where respect, diversity, and inclusion are paramount. Our primary goal is to increase the participation of older adults in shared activities to reinforce their sense of community and purpose.
Latin Rhythms
Dance Club
Studies have shown that an active life can be beneficial for the general health of seniors. This program not only assists in keeping an aging body in optimal condition but also targets the improvement of an aging brain. We attend to the progress of physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the senior while fostering meaningful social connections among participants. Incorporating individual, couple, and group movements, Latin Rhythms Dance Club promotes greater mobility, balance, self-confidence, physical awareness, endurance, expressiveness, and a greater sense of meaning. All of that in an environment full of laughter and joy!
MAIN STAGE
In weekly rehearsals, participants develop skills in acting, singing, and dancing as a methodology for interacting with other older adults in an artistic environment. This positive experience is about active creative engagement and self-expression, emphasizing physical and cognitive abilities, appreciating each individual’s potential, integrating cultural richness, and igniting socialization. This is vital for reinforcing a sense of community and creating feelings of belonging. After weeks of learning, rehearsals and preparation, we celebrate with a public onstage presentation of the final product for the enjoyment of families and friends.
VIVA LA VIDA!
We all have favorite songs that are attached to a particular and pleasant memory. Through our program Viva la Vida! we present live performances with music, singing and dancing to bring back memories and moments that remind our seniors just how good life can be. Our purpose is to brighten the lives of seniors living in nursing homes, where residents with limited access to any other live musical program can enjoy an opportunity to move to music that triggers a happy moment in their lives. We provide a variety of quality performances in both English and Spanish, to address the musical preferences of all seniors. It is a time for fun and to celebrate life!
THE STORYTELLERS!
Relaxing with a good book is beneficial for all ages, but especially for older adults, as it can reduce stress, provide mental stimulus, and even improve memory. Unfortunately, many seniors are no longer able to read because visual, cognitive, or body weakness limitations affect their ability to do so. The Storytellers! is a troop of dramatic readers that share an animated interpretation of characters, development of the action, and emotions in selected literature. Basically, they are performing the reading! It is a great time to stimulate the imagination and to promote positive emotions, leisure, integration and bonding.
POR AMOR
A VENEZUELA...
Right now, Venezuela is experiencing the most critical moment in all of its history. In a country in such devastating social and economic crisis, it is an unfortunate reality that the elderly have been one of the most vulnerable groups within the population. Frequently, nursing homes lack the most basic supplies of first aid and personal hygiene. With this program, we not only offer a variety of quality entertainment to the elders in senior centers and nursing homes to make them feel appreciated, but we also donate goods to ease the burden and needs of the institutions we visit. It is impossible to cease all the suffering at once, but a little bit of love and care can go a long way!
“An honest smile is a magic key that opens doors to many hearts around you.”
Yolanda Laprea
1938 – 2015
Yolanda Laprea
1938 – 2015
OUR STORY
Fundación Yolanda Laprea started activities during the early months of 2018, when a group of experienced artists working in the media and entertainment industry, along with health professionals, began collaborating.
The relationship of some of our members to many older adults in various settings helped us to identify the existing void and recognize the need to implement innovative programs that could be beneficial in terms of both health and recreation.
Yolanda Laprea, mother to one of our founders and a close friend to almost all of our members, was an exceptional human being, always willing to help everyone in her path. That is why we decided to name our organization after her: to honor her name and her legacy.
By the summer of 2018, we were incorporated as a not-for-profit organization and we began to design our own programs. Now, a couple of years later, our wellness and artistic activities have become a significant addition to the schedule of some of the institutions we visit every week. The overwhelming response has been the most gratifying experience to all of us.
Among our members we have actors, singers, dancers, stage directors, licensed personal trainers, physical therapists and occupational therapists from multicultural backgrounds.
We are pleased that our programs are very well received, but more importantly, we feel honored to see the positive changes in the lives of the seniors that we have the privilege to serve.
SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES
New center. New faces. Same mission. Every visit is an opportunity to connect with amazing older adults through the joy of art. With every color, every drawing, and every conversation, we encourage creativity, imagination, self-expression, and meaningful engagement. We look forward to creating many more moments of inspiration, connection, and creativity with every new community we visit.
Nuevo centro. Nuevas personas. La misma misión. Cada visita es una oportunidad para conectar con maravillosos adultos mayores a través de la alegría del arte. Con cada color, cada dibujo y cada conversación, fomentamos la creatividad, la imaginación, la expresión personal y una participación llena de significado. Esperamos seguir creando muchos más momentos de inspiración, conexión y creatividad con cada nueva comunidad que visitamos.
#fundacionyolandalaprea
Rehearsing with so much joy for the Talent Competition organized by the New York City Department for the Aging.
A beautiful reminder that talent has no age limit — it is timeless. It is never too late to dance, to create, to shine, and to share the gifts that live inside each of us.
With ribbons in our hands and colors of life around us, we celebrate movement, creativity, and the endless possibilities that every stage of life brings.
Ensayando con muchísima alegría para la Competencia de Talentos organizada por el Departamento para las Personas Mayores de la Ciudad de Nueva York.
Un hermoso recordatorio de que el talento no tiene edad: es eterno. Nunca es tarde para bailar, crear, brillar y compartir los dones que viven dentro de cada uno de nosotros.
Con cintas en nuestras manos y los colores de la vida a nuestro alrededor, celebramos el movimiento, la creatividad y las infinitas posibilidades que cada etapa de la vida nos regala.
#fundacionyolandalaprea
NYC Department for the Aging
#selfhelp/NORC
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Help us CONTINUE
Fundación Yolanda Laprea is committed to creating extraordinary interactive programs for the benefit of our elderly, but we can’t do it alone. Our supporters play a crucial role in the continuity of our activities. By becoming a donor you are not only helping us to expand our mission, but also you are directly impacting the lives of our seniors in a positive way.
Fundación Yolanda Laprea is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. Your gifts are generally tax-deductible, and Fundación Yolanda Laprea acknowledges all donations with a receipt for your tax records.
If you prefer to mail your contribution, please send your check to: Fundación Yolanda Laprea, 231 West 148 St. Apt 1-L, New York, NY. 10039
If you prefer to mail your contribution, please send your check to:
Fundación Yolanda Laprea,
231 West 148 St. Apt 1-L,
New York, NY. 10039
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