In November 2017, I headed to sunny North Carolina to my mom’s assisted living facility to do a test run. Twenty-four seniors gathered in the dining hall and shared their favorite color, favorite food, favorite past time, and advice they would give to the younger generation.

At the end of the activity, each senior and staff member chose a necklace or bracelet of their choice as a memento. During later visits to see my mom, I saw seniors still wearing their jewelry. Because of the activity, I learned the names of my mother’s neighbors and formed a deeper connection with her community.
Mission accomplished!

After seeing the positive impact of the project, I decided to turn the Gladys Love Project from an independent art project into a nonprofit organization. In partnership with Melissa O’Connell, Anna Bella, and Gloria Singleton, the nonprofit was founded in January 2020.