My pastor, Bishop Darue Bryant asked me what I thought about teaching a crochet class, as an art activity, for the senior citizen program in our church. The year prior they were painting and the seniors inquired about me teaching them crochet. I was delighted and honored to be asked and help in any way.

We set up the class to be two hours, once a week between breakfast and lunch and we all ate together. There were some seniors who already knew how to crochet but they felt I was better equipped to teach them. I worked with the head of the senior program to purchase supplies such and yarn and needles that would be the appropriate size for fragile hands. I started with the basics like making a chain, yarn tension and needle holding posture. As classes progressed, I taught them how to single and double crochet. By week four, the class was ready to make projects. Some made beautiful scarves and shawls. This experience inspired me because these individuals wanted to learn something from little ol’ me and felt I was skilled enough to teach them. The following month I was also selected to teach crochet to children with another group. Each week I watched their faces light up as they increased in skill.

I hope there are more activities or classes like this for seniors and children. Some seniors are lonely and this is a great way for them to interact with other people. As for the children, this helps them to stay busy and out of trouble. The only thing I get out of contributing/volunteering to my community is joy. I’m able to pass down a skill to willing individuals. They learn from me and can in turn make their own masterpieces.