Senior Outreach Program

Seniors are a very important part of any community. Seniors help provide the entire community with a living history and help connect everyone to the community’s traditions and legacy. At the Venice Hongwanji, seniors are also important because they help share the joy of living in the light of the Nembutsu and provide all the inspiration to know that aging is a wonderful part of life.

The founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran Shonin, lived to the age of 90 years (1172-1262). In living his life in the light of Nembutsu, he was quoted as saying, “Know that the Primal Vow of Amida makes no distinction between people young and old…” (from Tannisho, Chapter 1, translation from Collected Works of Shinran) and through this helped us to discover that life can be shared and lived with vigor throughout all the stages of one’s life.

Why the Venice Hongwanji Senior Outreach Program?

Originally organized in 1998, the mission of the Venice Hongwanji Senior Outreach Program (VHSOP) is to contribute to the health and well-being of all Temple members and those in need of limited assistance.

The VHSOP has surveyed Temple members on needs for various types of support and assistance for seniors and care givers, as well as after school care for children.

Responding to its mission and the interest expressed by members, the VHSOP has organized and sponsored various activities and developed resources over the past several years. Among these have been the following:

  • Informational library on community resources for seniors
  • Educational speakers on Medicare and other health care issues
  • Weekly Exercise Class (Tuesdays at 10:15 am)
  • Shopping Trips to Various Local Grocery Stores
  • Transportation to various Temple activities
  • Weekly Game Day (Fridays after morning service)

VHSOP continues to develop new programs and activities for Temple members and families. We welcome your participation and ideas. For more information, please contact Barbara Fukuji

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