On September 10, the Jiahemay Senior Association held the second session of the “Golden Melody series “. The class took place in a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere. Under the guidance of the instructor, participants not only sang familiar classic songs but also engaged in rhythm exercises using hand claps, foot taps, drumming, and vocal cues. The session was lively, with members actively participating, which helped improve their memory and coordination while fostering interaction and enjoyment through music.
This series consists of ten lessons in total, aiming to provide seniors with both physical and mental enjoyment as well as a strengthened sense of community.
On September 3, with the support of the City of Mississauga, the Jiahemay Senior Association successfully launched the Golden Melody series (10 sessions in total). The first session attracted nearly 50 seniors to participate enthusiastically, with 9 volunteers providing full support to ensure that every participant could join smoothly.
Through interactive music and rhythm activities, seniors enjoyed a joyful atmosphere while experiencing the fun of music. The program also helps to enhance cognitive abilities, physical coordination, and flexibility, while fostering social interaction and a sense of belonging. Laughter filled the room, and participants expressed their eagerness to join the remaining 9 sessions.
This project aims to encourage seniors to actively participate in community life, make new friends, strengthen their sense of belonging, and improve both physical and mental well-being. The successful launch of the first session laid a solid foundation for the series and demonstrated the project’s value in supporting active aging and community integration.
Starting in July, due to summer camps occupying indoor venues, Jiahemay Senior Association relocated its dance, Tai Chi, and fashion teams to the outdoor plaza under the City Hall clock tower. Meanwhile, the choir and karaoke and band continued rehearsing indoors. We held five regular activities each week, with steadily growing participation:
＊Tai Chi Team: ~60 participants ＊Choir: 30+ participants
＊Band: 20+ participants
＊Dance Team: Nearly 20 participants
＊Karaoke: Over 10 participants
We actively participated in various cultural and civic events, including:
✅ Cultural performance at the Pakistan Association ✅ Performance at a city councillor’s community exchange event ✅ Participation in the local Multicultural Festival ✅ Attendance at the City’s Bicycle Use and Safety seminar ✅ Scheduled senior home performance in August ✅ Performances at the Food Festival and Nanjing Chamber of Commerce celebration ✅ Invitation to the Police-Community Friendship Day in September
This month, we were thrilled to receive city funding for our new project: “Jiahemay Golden Melody series “
Through nostalgic melodies and rhythmic movement, the project aims to help seniors:
＊Prevent cognitive decline ＊Enhance balance and coordination ＊Relieve loneliness and boost emotional well-being ＊Increase social interaction ＊Improve quality of life
With the preparation phase complete, the project is set to launch, aligning closely with government priorities on active aging, mental health, and community support.
🤝 We warmly invite young volunteers who are passionate about community service to join Jiahemay, bringing care and connection to our seniors while building a more harmonious society.
📹 Event videos and photos will be shared soon—stay tuned to witness the vitality and joy of our senior members!
In the past March, our community activities were in full swing! The choir and the band used notes to connect laughter and joy; in the rehearsal of the Multicultural Festival, everyone used dance and music to weave a cultural bridge; the members of the dance team and the waist drum team were fully committed, and every movement was full of power; Tai Chi enthusiasts started a beautiful day with morning exercises, and chess friends enjoyed their skills on the chessboard.
Weekly gatherings are not only rehearsals and exercises, but also the transmission of friendship and warmth. Thank you to every participant for your enthusiasm, making our community as warm as home! Looking forward to continuing to work together in April to create more excitement!
On March 25, more than 30 volunteers and actors from the Family Harmony Association visited the Silverthorn Nursing Home to deliver the warmth of spring with a theatrical performance.
The volunteers arrived early to set up the venue, and the actors carefully polished the program. The opening dance “Celebration" was full of passionate drum beats, and the Chinese red waist drum and long silk danced, instantly igniting the whole audience; the Tai Chi fan dance was both hard and soft, and the harmonica solo “Ah, Friend" made the elderly hum with a smile. Planner qiquan Zhang (Jack) said: “This year, we added song and instrument accompaniment, continuing the touching Mongolian dance “Blue Sky" last year."
After the performance, the nursing home invited us to visit again in the summer, praising them for “building a bridge of hearts with art." The association prepared snacks for the actors and volunteers. Photographers Patrick and Sun Jianping took pictures of the people sitting around and talking, reflecting the spring sun, and the warmth flowed.
Using art to convey warmth, Family Harmony is always on the road.
*The consolation performance at Jiahemay Senior Association Nursing Home was successfully held ——February 26, 2025**
On the afternoon of February 26, more than 20 members of Jiahemei Elderly Association (average age over 70, the oldest over 80) went to Erin Mill Lodge, Long Term Care Nursing Home to perform consolation performances. Despite their advanced age, all members arrived at the scene three hours in advance to prepare and bring warmth and laughter to the elderly.
**Fully dedicated leader** As the general planner of the event, President qiquan Zhang was responsible for important matters throughout the process: carrying more than 100 kilograms of audio equipment alone, driving to pick up and drop off 4 members without cars; and personally directing the layout of the venue. Vice President haimeng luk coordinated the program process with the nursing home for two consecutive weeks, purchased 40 bottles of “mineral water and snacks in advance, and provided supplies for the actors throughout the day.
**Wonderful programs warm the heart** The performance started on time at 14:30: – The opening waist drum team ignited the audience with passionate rhythm – Teacher Zhu led the Tai Chi team to perform “Tai Chi Fan", and the white clothes and red fans won rounds of applause – The dance “Wanquan River Water" caused many elderly people to hum along – William , Hu Xue and Zhou Keqin cooperated in instrumental ensemble, which led the audience to beat the rhythm and interact
We performed a total of 13 programs. – Ms. Wu Ping provided on-site translation for bilingual programs in Chinese and English
The photographer took pictures of our style in time.
**The silently dedicated behind-the-scenes team** – Celia: Coordinate the venue three months in advance and confirm the health precautions for the elderly – Xu Minghua, Yingzi, and Jean from the logistics team: set out to pick up members at 12:30 that day.
– Chen Jiafang and haimeng luk from the publicity team: completed video editing and uploaded to the Internet within 5 hours after the performance
**Special touching moment** When all the actors sang “Goodbye, Friends", 97-year-old Grandma Li held President Zhang’s hand and choked up: “It’s not easy for you to still care about us at your age."
President qiquan Zhang gave special thanks in his summary: “From insisting on rehearsing in the severe winter to Hu Ping insisting on being a bilingual host every time, it is everyone’s full commitment that allows love to continue to be passed on." It is reported that this is the fourth nursing home consolation performance held by the Jiahemay Senior Association in half a year.
*家和美养老院慰问演出圆满举行 ——2025年2月26日纪实**
2月26日下午，家和美长者联谊会近30名成员（平均年龄70岁以上，最高龄80余岁）前往Erin Mill Lodge, Long Term Care 养老院开展慰问演出。尽管年事已高，全体成员仍提前一小时抵达现场筹备，为老人们带来温暖与欢笑。
Love Delivery | Gather strength to make the association warmer
During the public welfare activities of the nursing home, President Qiquan Zhang ( jack ) delivered a speech and especially praised every elite of the association who silently contributed. It is everyone’s efforts and unity that have allowed the association to continue to grow and be full of warmth and strength. He encouraged everyone to move forward, gather more love, make the association more prosperous, and let this love donation go further. – 爱心配送 | 凝聚力量，让协会更温暖
On February 24, the Jiahemay Dance Team participated in the New World Association’s Spring Festival performance, welcoming spring with a fresh and happy dance, which won unanimous praise from the audience! Welcome everyone to enjoy the wonderful moments!
**The cold winter does not make the heart cold, the activities are warm**
Although the snow is falling, the activity center of the Elderly Association is bustling. In preparation for the charity performance of the nursing home on February 26, more than 70 members devoted themselves to rehearsals, Tai Chi, band, catwalk, and dance, showing their style, and conveying warmth with music, singing and dancing.
**Highlights**
【Tai Chi】Every Friday morning, more than 50 members gathered in the hall, practicing Tai Chi in white clothes. The new version of “Butterfly Lovers" Tai Chi fan, the fan shadows are flying, and the movements are smooth.
【Band】Erhu and electronic piano play “White Haired Girl", saxophone is integrated into “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon", a combination of Chinese and Western. The national anthems of Canada and China were played, and the audience stood up in awe. “Scarborough Fair" accordion with Peking Opera singing, surprise after surprise.
【Catwalk】
– **Cheongsam Show** “Walking on the Road of Life": blue and green silk cheongsam, calm steps. – **Hanfu Show** “Apple Fragrance": Vermilion horse-faced skirt embroidered with gold thread, showing classical charm.
**Recent Events**
– **February 21** Family Reunion: Evening Dress Show + Family Dinner
– **February 24** Friendship Association Lantern Festival Event: Tibetan Dance “Golden Sunshine"
– **February 26** Nursing Home Performance: An hour-long comprehensive performance, including singing, band, dance, Tai Chi and other programs, and a special interactive session “Sleepless Tonight" Red Silk Dance
**Silver Age Show Style Warm Winter**
From the cultural heritage of Tai Chi fans to the classical beauty of horse-faced skirts, the Elderly Association uses multiple art forms to make the cold winter glow with spring. This enthusiasm is like a red plum in the snow, the colder it is, the more spirited it is. **寒冬不冷心 活动暖意浓**
家和美长者联谊会 