老年人艺术教育协会的任务

作为一个非营利性组织，老年人艺术教育协会的任务是向老年社区成员提供社会服务，以提高他们的社会参与度，改善他们的健康，从而提高他们的整体生活质量。我们主要通过提供艺术和音乐教育服务来达到这个目的。绝大多数老年人生活在相对孤立的环境中，由于孤独和有限的人际交往，他们面临精神和身体状况恶化的风险。在少数民族社区和新移民中尤其如此，因为语言和文化障碍，而且往往缺乏融入社会。COVID-19大流行进一步放大了问题，使这些高级社区成员处于各种脆弱境地。
我们认为，艺术和音乐活动是老年人社区参与的最有力的社会行动之一。通过在艺术和音乐教育服务方面采取主动行动，并协助开展其他有利于老年人身心健康的活动。我们的目标是：
- 鼓励社会参与：我们开展的艺术和音乐学习和娱乐活动不需要任何预先知识，因此高级成员可以舒适地加入。这是为了最大限度地增加所提供的服务的参与者人数。
- 加强社交互动和相互辅导：学习和娱乐活动旨在互动和相互辅导。这是为了提高高级成员的热情和参与的深度。
- 改善健康状况：除了改善艺术和音乐学习和娱乐的健康性质外，还提供其他类型的活动，以扩大成员健康改善的好处。
- 在社区内促进志愿服务：所有活动都需要大量的志愿工作。这些绝佳的机会，不但吸引长者本身的义工，更可邀请年轻一代协助社区老人
为了实现这一目标，SAES为社区老年人和其他成员提供各种社会服务：

1. 音乐学习和娱乐：包括但不限于：- 常规声乐和乐器课程，包括入门级音乐理论和技能指导和实 - 合唱工作，包括学习合唱知识和路由合唱练习，目标是每6个月掌握4-6首左右的歌曲。

2. 社区表演：制作定期社区表演和成员特别社区表演。演出包括年中和年终正式音乐表演、参加各种社区节日和特殊用途的演出，如招待当地疗养院居民

3. 社交活动：组织各种社区一级的社会活动，如集体成员生日聚会、适合老年人的短途旅行、庆祝重要的国家和传统活动，如加拿大日

4. 论坛和讲习班：邀请专业人员和专家在论坛上发言或举办关于主要侧重于健康老龄化知识和技能的具体专题讲习班。

我们决心在社区内发挥重要作用，为改善社区生活发挥热情和贡献作用。

As a not-for-profit organization, the mandate of the Seniors Art Education Society (SAES) is to provide social services to senior community members to boost their social participation and improve their health and thus, the overall quality of life. we are to achieve this mainly by offering education services in arts and music. An overwhelming number of seniors live in a relatively isolated environment, exposed to the risk of deteriorated mental and physical conditions due to loneliness and limited human interactions. This is especially true in the ethnic minority communities and among new immigrants given the language and cultural barriers and often, lack of integration into the society. The COVID-19 pandemic further magnified the problem, leaving these senior community members in various vulnerable situations.
SAES's believes that arts and music activities are among the most powerful social actions for seniors' community participation. By taking initiatives in art and music education services, and assisted with other types of activities benefiting mental and physical health of seniors, SAES is aiming for:
- encouraging the social participation: the art and music learning and entertainment activities we conduct do not require any pre-knowledge, so senior members can join comfortably. This is to maximize the number of participants to the offered services.
- increasing social interactions and mutual mentoring: learning and entertainment activities are designed to be interactive and mutually mentoring. This is to boost enthusiasm and the depth of involvement in senior members.
- improving health conditions: aside from the health improving nature of the art and music learning and entertainment, other types of activities are also offered to amplify the benefit of health improvement for members.
- promoting volunteerism within communities: all the activities require significant amount of volunteer work. These are excellent opportunities not only to attract volunteers within the senior members themselves, but also to invite younger generations to help the community elderly
To achieve the goal, SAES provides a variety of social services to the community seniors and other members:
1. Music learning and entertainment: including but not limited to:
- routine vocal and instrumental classes, including entry-level music theory and skill mentoring and practices
- choral work, including learning of choral knowledge and routing chorus practices with a goal of mastering 2 songs or so every 6-months. 
2. Community performances: producing periodical community performances and special community performances by members. Performances include mid-year and year-end formal music shows, participation of various community festivals and special-purpose shows such as entertaining local  nursing home residents
3. Social events: organizing a variety of community-level social events such as collective member birthday parties, short trips that are suitable for seniors, celebration of important national and heritage events such as Canada Day
4. Forums and workshops: inviting professionals and experts to speak in forums or conduct workshops on specific topics mainly focusing on knowledge and skills for health ageing.
SAES is determined to play an important role within communities to act as an enthusiastic and contributing agent for better community life.

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