Say “YES” to aging and participate in OMA-thon on Sunday November 17 at Menorah Park! OMA-thon is a fun and social opportunity to experience Syracuse Jewish Family Service’s signature arts-based program, Opening Minds Through Art (OMA). OMA is an award-winning, evidence-backed intergenerational art-making program for older people, often those living with dementia. Elders (artists) are paired with volunteers who facilitate the creation of a piece of art. Relying on imagination, rather than memory, and strengths, instead of lost skills, OMA’s elder artists experience the joy of creative expression while engaging with others across the generations. Volunteers gain ease interacting with older people, particularly those with dementia, while enjoying the benefits of forming a close bond with an elder. See for yourself the power of creative arts-in-aging by playing the role of an “elder artist,” a “volunteer facilitator,” or an observer. If you opt to volunteer as a facilitator and get trained, you will have the option to join SJFS’s Arts & Minds Volunteer Corps, and/or to subscribe to OMA-of-the-Month Club with your loved ones. In addition, works created at OMA-thon may be included (with artist permission) in “Arts & Minds: A Showcase for Creative Aging,” SJFS’s traveling art show circulating throughout CNY to showcase the accomplishments, benefits, and methods of our Arts & Minds initiative. OMA-thon is made possible by ongoing support from the Leonard and Irwin Kamp Foundation, CNY Arts, Excellus BCBS and many more. Your additional gifts help us do even more — consider donating online at www.sjfs.org/donate/ or become a OMA-thon sponsor. For more information or to register, please contact Hannah Pietra at pietrah@sjfs.org, or at 315 -446-9111 x130.