Joyce Bolden

Our second featured elder friend is a life-long resident of Brooklyn, Joyce Bolden, mother of 3 children, who have been active and a positive role model in her community for more than four decades.

In the late 1960’s, Ms. Bolden served as Congressional Aid to the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm, working with her on daycare legislation, community service programs, and housing. Ms. Bolden also worked with several politicians and community leaders to develop a housing complex for senior citizens. She has served many years on Community Board 8 and played a significant role in the implementation of daycare and welfare reform legislation.

Among some of her other community activities, she served as President of the Child Care Providers Business Coalition and as Chairperson of the Big Brother Big Sister Tutorial Program. Ms. Bolden also founded Integrity Day Care, which provided services to children and their families.

She is now the President of the St. John’s Recreation Senior Group and President of the St. John’s Tenant Association. Ms. Bolden currently gives lectures to senior citizens, especially those who are physically challenged. She is the Coordinator of Senior Fashion Shows. As a competitive swimmer, Ms. Bolden has taken home several gold and silver medals in the Empire State Senior Games, inspiring others to take part in sporting events that encourage them to stay healthy.

Joyce is an active member of her church at the Christian Cultural Center with a senior group known as the “Golden Saints.” She participates as an actress in annual events in the dramatic arts department. She is known as a woman with class, poise, and dignity. Despite her physical challenges at 78 years old and undergoing four surgeries in the past five years, she continues to dedicate her life serving others and to make a positive impact around her.

As the President of the St. John’s Recreation Senior Group, Ms. Bolden can’t stress enough the importance of physical activities and informational workshops that are conducted on site. Such activities promote friendship and socialization amongst seniors in her community and help alleviate the sense of isolation so many older adults experience as a result of living alone, physical disabilities, improper health care, and other factors that contribute to the marginalization of the elderly population.

The St. John’s Senior Group currently meets the 1st Friday of every month from 9:30 am until 11:30 am on the 3rd Fl. of St. John’s Recreation Center located on 1251 Prospect Pl. between Schenectady and Troy Ave.

Every year at the Center, a group of seniors age 50 and older, travel to Cortland, NY to participate in the Empire State Senior Games and compete among peers in NY state in sports ranging from volleyball, running, tennis, bowling, swimming, card games and many more.

Leading up to the time of the competition, the senior group also takes part in the Brooklyn Senior Games from May 7-11, 2018. Participation is FREE with an NYC Parks Recreation Center Membership, but space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit: nyc.gov/parks/senior-games

In addition to the physical benefits of training for this annual event, participants also benefit by strengthening their mind, building friendships, learning about endurance, nutrition, proper physical preparedness – all vital skills needed to continue thriving as an older person residing in the community. As Joyce Bolden often shares about physical activity: “Activation prevents stagnation.”

The next edition of the Empire State Senior Games will take place from June 9-16, 2018, and all levels are welcome to participate. Participants of the Brooklyn Senior Games leave by bus in the morning on June 12th from St. John’s Recreation Center. You can find a complete list of sports and more about registration at www.nyseniorgames.com