On November 16, 2022 at the Central Area Senior Center, SHARP participants and their supporters commemorated the successful summer pilot of the SHARP program! SHARP is a culturally celebratory neighborhood walking and reminiscing program for older Black adults.
“I enjoyed the walks because you remember what was there...and how even though it’s gone, it’s getting better,” participant Michelle Fields. “For me, what it did was make me feel very positive again about Seattle and appreciating where I grew up.”
The group got to hear from Oregon Health and Science University’s Raina Croff, PhD, founder of SHARP in Portland, who helped MBWC and our collaborators launch a program adaptation in Seattle. “Standing here today is a dream come true,” she said. She told the participants that the lessons learned from their experiences and feedback will make the program that much better next time-and help to bring SHARP to yet another city.
Sponsors of SHARP include Central Area Senior Center, Aging King County Seattle Human Services, Alzheimer’s Association, Washington State Chapter, The Black Heritage Society of Washington State, de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging at UW, UW Memory and Brain Wellness Center, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Seattle Department of Neighborhoods. •
