MOSAIC and the Chinese Community Response Network (CCRN) co-organized a large-scale art event on June 15 in Burnaby, to raise awareness about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
More than 200 seniors, volunteers and supporters built a nearly 1,000-square-foot, large-scale labyrinth with small stones on the lawn of Burnaby Central Park and walked the labyrinth to destress and get in touch with nature.
As part of this collective art creation, participants honoured in silence those seniors in the community who have been exploited or abused, and have been unable or too scared to speak out or report.
Labyrinths are an ancient symbol appearing throughout the ages across the global community. In recent years, after the Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011, some artists recreate labyrinths to provide the public with a spiritual space for post-disaster trauma healing.
Jacqueline Kurio, author of “Drawing and Walking Labyrinths,” also led a labyrinth walk in the UK concurrently to this event, and made a call to stop elder abuse, calling it a global human atrocity.
Daisy Au, Coordinator of MOSAIC’s Seniors Program, said, “Seniors suffer from different forms of exploitation every day. Today’s event is to call on the public to raise awareness of older adults’ rights and mental health.”
Au noted that the Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) reported that in 2022-2023, it had received more than 6,500 inquiries and calls for help — nearly 200 more than the same period last year.
Newcomer seniors needing support, help or advice can connect with MOSAIC Seniors Program by contacting (604) 362-4318 or seniors@mosaicbc.org Or check out MOSAIC’s seniors club for more programs.
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