Jiahemay Senior Association Visits Cawthra Gardens Long-Term Care Residence
October 16, 2026 | Mississauga, Ontario
Although autumn rain fell steadily and cool winds swept through the day, the hall at Cawthra Gardens Long-Term Care Residence was filled with warmth, joy, and laughter.
On October 16, nearly 30 members of Jiahemay Senior Association visited the residence to present a wonderful cultural performance for its residents. To ensure the best possible presentation, our performers gathered early in the morning to rehearse and prepare 12 carefully selected performances. When we saw the residents already waiting eagerly in the hall, we were deeply touched and decided to begin the show nearly half an hour earlier than planned.
Celebrating the Beauty of Chinese Culture Through Art
The program featured a vibrant variety of Chinese cultural performances, including powerful waist drumming, lively Xinjiang dance, a traditional northeastern Chinese dance with colourful scarves, Yangko folk dance, graceful Mongolian dance, and classical dance pieces such as Pipa Song and Dance of Graceful Melodies. The Jiahemay music ensemble also performed beloved classics, including The Butterfly Lovers and Stories of Jincheng.
Beautiful movements, colourful costumes, and melodious music came together to showcase the richness and unique charm of Chinese performing arts.
For this residence, where most residents are from Western cultural backgrounds, the event was more than just a musical and dance performance. It was also a wonderful opportunity to experience Chinese culture up close. Through music, dance, and art, we hope to encourage cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and appreciation among people from different backgrounds.
Continuing Our Tradition of Community Service and Care
Visiting long-term care residences to bring joy and companionship to seniors has been a cherished tradition of Jiahemay Senior Association for many years. Each year, the association organizes 5 to 6 performances at long-term care residences, particularly around traditional Chinese festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Double Ninth Festival, and Chinese New Year, sharing festive greetings and the beauty of Chinese culture with seniors.
This was our second visit to Cawthra Gardens. Throughout the performance, applause filled the hall as residents tapped their hands along to the music. After the show, many residents approached us to shake hands, share hugs, and chat with our performers. They complimented our performances and costumes, expressed their appreciation, and told us they hoped to see us again.
Among them was one resident who, we were told, was over 100 years old. The resident specifically invited us over, warmly thanked us, and expressed the hope of seeing us again soon. The residents’ sincere smiles, warm embraces, and eager anticipation touched us deeply.
We came with the simple wish of bringing happiness to the seniors, yet we left with hearts full of warmth ourselves. This experience reminded us that giving is also a way of receiving. When we bring warmth into the lives of others, that warmth finds its way back to us.
Grateful for Every Helping Hand in Building a Caring Community
A successful performance is never the work of one person alone. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the performers, dance instructors, host, volunteers, photographer, sound technician, and everyone who helped organize, adjust, and prepare the costumes. We are equally grateful to our team members who contributed to planning, communication, and coordination, as well as our association president, vice-president, and every member who worked quietly behind the scenes.
Jiahemay Senior Association will continue to use art as a bridge, culture as a bond, and compassion as our guiding principle. We remain committed to sharing and preserving Chinese culture, enriching the cultural and social lives of seniors, encouraging community exchange and integration, and contributing to a warmer, more inclusive, and harmonious community.
Let culture transcend language, and let kindness warm every heart.
以文化传递温暖，以艺术连接心灵
家和美长者协会走进 Cawthra Gardens Long-Term Care Residence
2026年10月16日｜密西沙加
秋雨绵绵，凉风习习，但在 Cawthra Gardens Long-Term Care Residence 的大厅里，却洋溢着温暖与欢乐。
10月16日，家和美长者协会近30位成员来到这里，为长者们带来了一场精彩的文艺演出。为了呈现最好的表演，演员们一早便聚集排练，带着精心准备的12个节目来到养老院。看到长者们早早地在大厅里满怀期待地等候，我们深受感动，也将演出时间提前了近半个小时。
多彩中华艺术，绽放东方之美
铿锵有力的腰鼓、热情奔放的新疆舞、富有东北特色的八角巾舞蹈与扭秧歌、优美的蒙古舞，以及古典舞《琵琶行》《清歌慢舞》等节目，展现了中华舞蹈的丰富魅力。家和美乐队还带来了《梁祝》《晋城往事》等经典曲目。优美的舞姿、色彩绚丽的服装与悠扬的旋律交相辉映，呈现出独具韵味的东方之美。
对于这家以西人长者为主的养老院而言，这不仅是一场文艺演出，更是一次近距离感受中华文化的美好体验。我们希望通过音乐、舞蹈与艺术，促进不同文化背景人群之间的交流与理解。
坚持社区服务，让温暖成为传统
走进养老院，为长者送去欢乐与关怀，早已成为家和美坚持多年的传统。每年，协会都会组织四至五次养老院慰问演出，尤其在中秋节、重阳节和中国新年等传统节日期间，把节日祝福与中华文化的美好带给长者们。
这是家和美第二次来到 Cawthra Gardens 演出。现场掌声不断，长者们随着音乐打着节拍。演出结束后，许多人主动与我们握手、拥抱、交谈，称赞我们的表演和服装，并表达感谢与再次相见的期盼。
其中，一位据悉已年过百岁的长者，特意招呼我们走到身边，亲切地表达感谢，并希望不久后再次见到我们。长者们真挚的笑容、温暖的拥抱和充满期待的目光，让我们深受感动。
我们带着为长者送去欢乐的心愿而来，也收获了满满的温暖。这让我们更加体会到：付出不仅是给予，也是一种收获；当我们为别人带去温暖时，自己也会被温暖照亮。
感恩同行，共建温暖社区
一场精彩的演出，离不开整个团队的共同努力。衷心感谢所有演员、舞蹈老师、主持人、义工、摄影师、音响师及服装整理与修改人员，也感谢参与组织、联络和协调工作的伙伴，以及协会会长、副会长和每一位默默付出的成员。
家和美长者协会将继续以艺术为媒介，以文化为纽带，以关爱为初心，积极传承中华文化，丰富长者的精神文化生活，促进社区交流与融合，为建设温暖和谐的社区贡献力量。
让文化跨越语言，让关爱温暖人心。
