Newton, MA
Barbara is a people person, a networker, a connecter. Someone once said if she got paid to bring people together, she’d be more than rich. Fostering connections brings her all the wealth she desires. In her early years of working at Harvard University, her office was adjacent to Robert Putnam’s and she followed his research and work after the publication of “Bowling Alone.” She has always been active in her community and has served on numerous volunteer teams. Her good friend, Michael Brown, is the founder of City Year which is an unparalleled model of bringing individuals together to work for the greater good. When individuals come together for a purpose outside themselves, relationships are forged and purpose is instilled. Almost fifteen years ago, she became certified to teach yoga and found yet another avenue for building community. In the various venues she teaches, she sees friendships have flourished over the years and once total strangers are now looking out for one another. Particularly in working with the elderly, widowed, and single populations, she feels it vital to enhance and create opportunities for connection. She is currently teaching for her city’s Senior Center and has established her own business – Yoga for All. She has worked at Harvard for over thirty years and can attest that the relationships that have developed in the pursuit of academic excellence is the real take-away from the Harvard experience.
SOCIAL Framework Sectors: Arts & Culture | Food & Nutrition | Health | Built Environment | Education
Isolation leads to mental health issues – depression, anxiety, fear, dementia and many other detrimental outcomes. Social connectivity is the antidote. I met a retired woman who lived alone at a community education knitting class. I noted that she barely made eye contact and did not participate in the weekly discussions. I made a point of sitting next to her and shared my life’s ups and downs with her. By the end of the term we had made beautiful sweaters and had also made real connections around the room. Sue was now included in lunch dates and outings outside of class. At one lunch she met another woman who had transitioned to community living. This woman invited Sue to come check out her complex. By the end of the year, Sue had not only moved to the new community environment but had also enrolled in almost every activity there. She writes me often to say that I opened the door to change for her. For so long she felt alone and didn’t feel well physically or mentally.
She is now flourishing.
This anecdote slots into multiple sectors of the SOCIAL Framework:
I strive to foster connectivity particularly amongst teens and seniors, two at risk populations. As a yoga instructor, my classes are inclusive. I work hard to foster community within my classes. I also host weekly gatherings at the University where I work cross-departmental, cross-discipline, and cross-culture.