East Prince Seniors Initiative (EPSI) opened its doors in July 2010 with a mandate to involve the 50-plus group and a focus on wellness, lifelong learning and productivity. During the last 10 years EPSI has hosted hundreds of workshops, a number of provincial conferences, partnered with multiple community organizations and worked with members of the community in a social inclusion group to prevent social isolation, as well as a learning community group to provide learning opportunities for seniors.
A number of programs provided through EPSI include reading pals, where senior volunteers read with elementary students at Parkside School; a grandparents support group; numerous technology workshops; a bi-weekly computer tutor program; a number of educational sessions involving a variety of topics, delivered free of charge; and a free service to record sharing your memories on video, helping seniors record their stories and memories for their families and future generations.
Seniors of Summerside and East Prince have learned with regret and dismay that EPSI will cease as of June 30, 2020. This association, located at the Inspire Learning Centre on 57 Central St., Summerside, will be sorely missed, as will the cheerful, smiling face of Gloria Schurman, the heart and soul of EPSI. We wish to thank her for her dedication and for all the planning she has done to provide new learning experiences for seniors, and for the many fine people she has recruited over the years. It will be interesting to see what new program will replace EPSI.
One quote from EPSI’s brochure is particularly fitting to this tribute. “EPSI is truly a home away from home. It lets you be who you are, learn what you want and helps you grow into your senior years in an engaged and healthy life.”
Thank you to all the EPSI team, and especially to Gloria Schurman for a fabulous 10 years!
Dorothy Farish lives in Summerside.
