Staff

Activities Director Gina Williamson joined Steere House in 1991. Gina and her staff support the social, educational and physical needs of our residents. Activities are open to all residents and their families and provide a wonderful opportunity for multiple generations to enjoy each other. Steere House hosts Sunday concerts in our atrium and monthly birthday parties with entertainment (complete with ice cream and cake, of course), but even more events are held througout the year that have something everyone can enjoy, including a springtime egg hunt, a summer cookout or two and a Halloween costume party.

Beyond family ties, strengthening the understanding and ties between youth and the elderly is central to the Steere House mission. Inter-generational programs such as placing visiting middle school through college age students and residents together for educational, recreational and one-on-one activities is very rewarding. For example, local students have joined the residents for such activities as art therapy, bowling, or other activities of their choice.

The variety of our on-site group activites is evident in our Activities Calendar. Drama therapy is biweekly and weight training is twice per week. Safe Haven Gardens residents participate in monthly line dancing and Safe Haven Advanced Care residents enjoy biweekly aromatherapy, among other activities. Of course, residents are also supported in their desire to pursue individual activities if that is their preference. To support these independent activities, Gina and her staff provide patterns, yarn and materials, jewelry kits, books, a little potting soil and even volunteers as companions. Everyone has a great time and we are always seeking more volunteers!

Finally, it's our frequent road trips that offer wonderful opportunities to take in the local scenery. Our wheelchair accessible van has enabled us to accommodate more wheelchair-bound residents for many of our off-site excursions. The spring and summer weather in particular provides many opportunities for regular outings, generally twice per week. Residents from all of our units, including Safe Haven Advanced Care and Safe Haven Gardens, leave to enjoy trips for lunch, Paw Sox games, visits to Foxwoods and Twin Rivers, area parks or simply a ride to a local beach for ice cream or lemonade.