Wesley Palms Retirement Community Receives Community Partner of the Year Award

Wesley Palms, a full-service Front Porch retirement community located in Pacific Beach overlooking San Diego’s Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, received the “Community Partner of the Year Award” for its work (along with its philanthropic partner, the Pacific Homes Foundation) to help pioneer the unique and engaging Junior Joy Giver intergenerational music program. The award was presented on Oct. 24 by Resounding Joy, Inc.

Launched in 2011, the Junior Joy Giver program trains volunteers ages 8-18 in an intergenerational setting, where the volunteers learn how to use recreational and supportive music activities to interact with older adults. During this program, the young volunteers experience leadership opportunities, teamwork and the benefits of volunteerism.

The program uses music to promote creative and safe interactive volunteer opportunities for multiple generations. Its goal is to use music to bring youth and seniors together to create a sense of community by developing opportunities to volunteer, increase self-expression, socialize and promote health and wellness.

The Junior Joy Giver program has trained more than 60 Junior Joy Givers from nine schools at Wesley Palms. More than 150 Wesley Palms residents have participated in the program since its inception.