Here
at Verb, we have a special place in our hearts for those coping with
Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementia as well as for their caregivers. This
year we want to give something back to those individuals and families through
our new pilot program, VIA:
Verb’s Improv for Alzheimer’s.
The
VIA
Program was founded based on two truths:
1. Coping with Alzheime'rs
can be deeply isolating and lonely for both those diagnosed with Alzheimer's
and their families, but opportunities to socialize and build community with
others going through similar experiences can drastically improve spirits for
all involved.
2. For those diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s, the opportunity to experience live performance as either
spectator or participant often disappears. Improvisation, however, is an ideal
artistic form for those suffering with Alzheimer’s Disease. Each scene can be
short, fun, and requires no rehearsal. It’s a perfect creative outlet for
loved ones who live in the moment, though their memories may have escaped
them. Live performance provides a sense of inclusion, community, and joy
for both audiences and participants.
With these two
truths in mind, V.I.A. will offer free improvisational theatre classes to
Calgarians living with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers. Led by
Calgary-based improviser Karen Johnson-Diamond and Verb Theatre Co-Artistic
Director Col Cseke, these classes will aim to bring some much needed and joyful
escape to families and individuals going through an emotionally and financially
challenging time at no cost to participants.
This
is a brand new program, and we need to ensure that we are approaching our new
collaborators in the Alzheimer's community with respect, care, and preparation.
Your donations will support this development as well as the delivery of the VIA pilot
program. This up-front investment will allow us to continue offering the
program to Calgary
families, at no-cost to them, for years and years to come.
The
V.I.A. program is partly funded by The Calgary Foundation. Any funds raised
above and beyond our initial goal will be put towards V.I.A. offerings in the
fall of 2015, all proceeds will stay in the program and will go directly to
offering this program at no cost to participants.
All donors will also be issued a tax receipt for the value of the donation minus the value of the donor reward level.