Photos by Lucelle O’Flaherty
By: Olivia Lawrence
Community Outreach Coordinator
Senior Services of Alexandria
Alexandria, VA – A new partnership between Senior Services of Alexandria (SSA) and UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is bringing hands-on arts programming directly to older adults across Alexandria, creating opportunities for creativity, social connection, and community engagement.
SSA, a nonprofit that has served Alexandria’s older adults for more than 55 years, developed the partnership through its Community Connection Program.
About two and a half years ago, the Community Connection Program was created after SSA identified a need in Alexandria’s high-rise communities. Staff found that many older adults living in these buildings were unaware of the programs, services, and resources available to them throughout the city. In response, SSA began bringing educational programs, activities, and information directly to residents where they live.
As the program expanded, it opened the door to new partnerships, including one with UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.
The connection began with a chance meeting between SSA Executive Director Mary Lee Anderson and UpCycle Executive Director Kathryn Amberg while both were volunteering at a fundraising event. During their conversation, the two leaders discovered a shared commitment to strengthening community connections and improving quality of life for Alexandria residents.
That shared vision led to a partnership that now brings UpCycle’s creative reuse workshops to older adults in residential communities across the city.
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is a local nonprofit that collects donated materials that might otherwise be discarded and repurposes them for artistic, educational, and community-based projects. Through its partnership with SSA, those materials are transformed into hands-on activities designed specifically for older adults.
The workshops encourage conversation, self-expression, and relationship-building among residents, helping reduce social isolation and foster a stronger sense of community.
“When people come together to create, they build a shared sense of belonging and help make their community stronger, richer, and more meaningfully connected,” said Amberg.
For SSA, the partnership supports its mission of helping older Alexandrians remain active, engaged, and connected. For UpCycle, the collaboration provides an opportunity to reach a broader audience and gain a deeper understanding of the interests and needs of older residents.
Together, the organizations are demonstrating how creativity, sustainability, and community engagement can enrich lives and strengthen communities throughout Alexandria.
