Joy’s Story

After being closed for more than a year due to the pandemic, Around Town DC at St. Alban’s returned in September 2021 to the delight of both longtime and new participants.

“There’s a real sense of gratitude,” says Site Manager Frances Bucien. Participants 60 years and older come for a variety of reasons: exercise, coffee and conversation, a daily meal, fresh produce from the twice-monthly farmer’s market, to see old friends make new ones. Mostly, they come to be part of a supportive community – all too important during a pandemic and a time of life when
many older adults feel isolated and alone.

This is confirmed by longtime participant Joy Allen, 68. She gestures to Harold Cupid, 82, who is sitting next to her at lunch. “I’ve known this gentleman since day one. When things shut down, I really missed my friends. I like being around people who are at my stage of life.” Harold loves the program so much that he takes three buses to reach St. Alban’s from his in Ward 5.