Q&A with Jennifer Michella

Program and volunteer manager at Upstate Oasis discusses the variety of courses the program offers to those over 50

By Mary Beth Roach

Q: For those who are not familiar with Upstate Oasis, how would you briefly describe it?

A: It’s a national nonprofit educational organization designed to enhance the quality of life of adults 50 and older.

Q: Are you seeing an increase over the last few years in the number of people enrolling in your programs? And if so, why do you think that is?

A: Pre-COVID, we had a very robust program, and we were actually offering a lot of classes off site because we ran out of room in person to hold classes. And then COVID happened, and unfortunately, things changed. We pivoted to online classes. Now we’re still rebuilding post-COVID. We still offer online classes as well as in-person classes. We’re seeing more and more people every trimester. We run trimester. Obviously, COVID hurt, but then also it really showcased how important our program is for people to have that connection, to learn, to stay active. It hurt us in ways, but it also has helped us prioritize what healthy aging looks like.

Q: Can you give an overview of the programs that you offer?

A: We have art classes, art history, literature, writing, performing arts, all different types of history classes, current events. We offer science classes. We have a lot of environmental classes, which people are particularly interested in. We also have personal development classes; five different languages, currently Spanish, French, Italian, Russian and Irish; classes, like coping with stress, meditation. We offer cheese classes with The Curd Nerd [a local cheese shop]. We offer some tours. We also offer technology classes, computer classes, smartphone photography, AI and robots. We also offer fitness, health and wellness — different exercise classes, and yoga is a popular one. Next, we do sound baths. We also offer opportunities to volunteer, which takes socialization to another level. [The Oasis online catalog describes one sound bath program as a sound journey, in which the participant listens to singing crystal bowls, bells, chimes and tuning forks to bathe in high-vibrational frequencies.

Q: You also have volunteer opportunities both in the community and at your offices. What are some of those?

A: Anything from our front reception desk volunteers that welcome people, to the phones, helping members register for classes, to class coordinators, which help our instructors. The intergenerational tutoring program is on hold. We are looking to hire someone as tutor coordinator.

Q: How do you see these programs, whether they’re the classes or the volunteer initiatives, contributing to the fitness and the wellness for seniors?

A: It’s all about staying active, getting to Oasis, coming in, interacting with people. It all is helping us stay active and engaged, continuing to learn, to grow. You know, it’s not just about eating healthy and moving, which of course is important, but it’s about interacting, exploring new activities, and constantly learning and growing. I think it’s like a full circle of what health and wellness looks like.

For more information on the program or to see a catalog, visit upstate.oasisnet.org.