Celebrating Fall at the Helen Kaplan Center
As the trees transformed to vibrant shades of orange, brown, and red and the air became cooler and crisper, the men and women residing at the Helen Kaplan Center Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) celebrated the season during an afternoon of music, crafts, and fun on October 16 as part of the Fall Festival.
“Before we have to go inside and not enjoy the weather so much, we try to do our major events out here,” said Marta Garavito, Director of the Helen Kaplan Center.
As classic pop tunes played on the speaker, staff members carried a portable photo booth created during Day Services. Staff members took turns asking the men and women residing at Helen Kaplan Center if they’d like to take their picture in the photo booth.
Upon saying “yes,” men and women smiled at the camera as they poked their heads through the photo booth, appearing on the other side as if they were inside a pumpkin! The photo booth brought much joy and laughter.
In addition to the photo booth, men and women residing at the Helen Kaplan Center worked on decorations during Day Services, including fun, decorated pumpkins dressed as a scarecrow, skeleton, and witch, wall décor with gnomes, acorns, pumpkins, and festive sayings like “thankful” and “hello fall.”
Attendees enjoyed an assortment of delicious catered food, including chicken tenders, pasta, rice, plantains, salad, fruit, pie, and cakes. There was also a craft station where people could customize a paper scarecrow!
“We worked hand in hand with Day Services,” Marta said. “Creating the decorations keeps everyone busy and engaged.”
This past Halloween, people supported, and family members and staff dressed up in costumes for a party with crafts, face painting, music, and snacks. On a rotating basis, people residing at Helen Kaplan Center also gather to work on art projects.
Opportunities to gather outside are meaningful to the Helen Kaplan Center community. The petting zoo and beach party are just two ways leadership used the outdoor space to create memories for the people supported and reward staff for all their hard work.
Now that the colder months are here, everyone will still enjoy fun occasions for gathering – just inside!