Have you ever wondered how our Community Life teams continue to dream up fresh, meaningful and Have you ever wondered how our Community Life teams continue to dream up fresh, meaningful and downright fun experiences for residents year after year? One of their secrets: they never stop learning—and they never stop connecting.
Earlier this month, four Community Life teammates from Presbyterian Village North (PVN) headed across town to attend the National Association of Activity Professionals (NAAP) Annual Conference, held April 7–9 at the Renaissance Dallas North Hotel. The theme? Shaping the Future—and that’s exactly what they were there to do, thanks to the generosity of the Curtis and Patricia Meadows Health Career Scholarship program which seeks to further their education and expand their expertise in their chosen fields.
PVN Community Life Managers Maurisha Bowie, Daisy Fuentes, Ronda Jasper and Community Life Coordinator Betty Brown were in attendance for this lively, three-day event. It brought together activity professionals from all over the country to explore what’s new, what’s next and what’s working best in senior engagement. From hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions to vendor showcases filled with the latest in engagement tools and tech, our PVN team soaked up a wealth of knowledge—and a healthy dose of inspiration, too.
Here’s a peek at what made the experience so valuable:
- Connection with Purpose: They mingled with fellow professionals who share a passion for bringing joy and enrichment into senior living—swapping ideas, stories and best practices.
- Learning That Sticks: The conference offered pre-approved continuing education credits (CEs) through NCCAP, NCTRC and NCCDP—meaning our team brought home both inspiration and certification hours.
- Fresh Ideas, Straight from the Source: From memory care innovations to inclusive programming and sensory engagement, the sessions sparked exciting new ideas our team can tailor to PVN’s own vibrant community.
- Motivation to Keep Shining: Keynote speakers reminded attendees why they do what they do—leaving our team energized, appreciated and ready to dive into the next season of programming.
- Fun with a Purpose: Yes, there was laughter. Yes, there was music. Yes, there may have even been a conga line or two. Because learning is even better when it comes with a side of joy.
The result? Our team returned to campus with new tools, new energy and a renewed sense of purpose—all in service of continuing to create the warm, creative and engaging environment our residents know and love.
“As first-time attendees, this conference was such an uplifting experience. It reminded us why we’re so passionate about serving our residents and gave us a wealth of new ideas to bring back to our community.” Fuentes said. “We left feeling inspired, connected and grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside so many dedicated professionals. We’d like to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to PVN, whose unwavering support has always fueled our work and commitment to making a difference. And a special thank you to the Meadows Scholarship Program, which made this experience possible for us. Without this incredible opportunity, we wouldn’t have been able to attend and bring back these valuable insights. We’re already looking forward to next year, and we’re excited to continue sharing what we’ve learned with those we serve.“
Following the conference, Takako Serizawa, President of the Diversional Therapy Association of Japan (DTAJ), visited PVN to meet the Community Life team, tour the campus and gain a firsthand look at how purposeful programming is woven into daily life in Texas senior living communities. Her visit sparked meaningful dialogue around global approaches to resident engagement and offered an exciting opportunity for cross-cultural learning.
So the next time you attend a themed event, see a clever program pop up on the calendar, or witness a room full of residents lighting up during an activity… you’ll know there’s a bit of NAAP magic behind the scenes.
