OLLI Celebrates Surviving the Pandemic

On a incredibly hot summer season day in July I met with Ellie Monroe, President of Osher Lifelong Understanding Institute known as OLLI to go over how they kept the courses heading by the pandemic. “It was complicated and discouraging,” said Monroe, “We instantly couldn’t arrive on campus. The ceramics class misplaced so a lot product, we experienced to change the fridge because no 1 cleaned it out and the interior experienced mold beyond mend. Our personal computers and other devices had been not getting updated routinely and you know electronics get outdated so rapidly if you really don’t keep on it.”

Monroe and Bob Kovacev, Vice President of Exterior Relations informed me about the hardships that the pandemic induced OLLI. The crew observed on their own scrambling to learn how to use and instruct Zoom to associates who didn’t individual or had an aversion to computer systems. Two of their members, Bob Newcomb and Jim Monroe compensated 1000’s out of their individual pockets to aid keep the total application likely. They had been reimbursed pretty much two decades later on. Twelve OLLI associates went earlier mentioned and beyond aiding each and every other navigate the pandemic and continue to keep OLLI alive.

“We had 1600 users and then we went down to 750.  Our membership is up to 1050 now as we are able to do more hybrid and in individual classes,” mentioned Monroe.

“Jim Monroe, Ellie Monroe, Bob Newcomb, Joyce Ono, Richard McCamann, Tom La Casa, Mark Hammel, Susan Hanna, Rick Hearn, Renee Cabrera, and Bob Riley were important persons who formulated displays and workshops to get courses up and functioning,” said Kovacev.

“We began with 30 courses online and by the end of summer time we experienced 45, it has been progressively increasing,” explained Monroe, “We are like a huge loved ones.”

Just then Patsy Burns walked more than to us. We have been released and she said, “Oh explain to them that this is the best software ever. It stimulates your brain and keeps you lively. Everybody is aware that a stimulated mind keeps you younger and that a sedentary life is lousy for your well being.”

Viewers at an OLLI course. Photo by Janice Jeng.

OLLI is owning an Open Residence on Saturday, August 6 from 9am to noon. Situated at Cal State Fullerton in the Ruby Gerontology Constructing on Gymnasium Dr. All are welcome.

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