Music and dance spans generations, bridging the gap of years and bonding young and old in shared memories.
In an event for both young and old, The Guidance Center will present the 1st Annual Autumn Social, for seniors ages 65 and older, on Sunday, from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Founders Landing.
The event, according to Guidance Center executive director Susan Toman, includes dinner, dancing, friendship and music by entertainer DJ Jim Papa.
The meal will be provided by local eateries. For tickets, which cost $10, call 631-664-9886; guests are asked to please RSVP as seating is limited.
The Guidance Center in Southold offers a full semester of programs and events geared toward helping kids choose healthy alternatives to drugs and alcohol.
Toman says families and the community all need to join together to help young people stay proactive in making positive choices.
“Studies have indicated that if youth hear a message of prevention, of good health and living well, and connecting to community, from a variety of sources including, of course, home, school, place of worship and within the community, as well as align with friends of similar beliefs, odds are very good the youth will be successful,” Toman said.
“The Guidance Center and the programs that are offered try to cover, blend and support as best we can our youth’s successful entry into adulthood. We are but a spoke in the wheel, but one that allows parents and peers, as well as the community, to come together and let our youth know we want them to have and maintain a healthy safe lifestyle, and make healthy choices,” she said.
Toman, in her 23 years of treating addiction and 15 years in prevention education, said when the community comes together to support youth in making healthy choices, “that, in and of itself, eliminates stress. Teaching youth, or reaffirming lessons learned at home or in school, or at a house of worship, strengthens their foundation, encouraging youth to hear their inner voice and not give in to negative peer pressure, but instead, to hear and affirm that inner voice.”
Upcoming events include the intergenerational gathering, a “Senior Ball.”
In addition, Head Start on Main Bayview Road in Southold will continue to host The Guidance Center’s tween and teen dances for youth ages 12 to 15, featuring age-appropriate prevention messages and well-chaperoned activities, Toman said. A Halloween-themed dance was held last weekend.
Even during the summer months, The Guidance Center worked to keep teens healthy: Recently, the Summer Wellness program for tweens and teens was a two-week program offered free to local youth; and the prevention dances are held monthly, with a minimal admission charge, and up to 100 young people in attendance.
