Ahead of Valentine’s Day, preschoolers from Hopkins House brought joy and laughter to The Senior Center at Charles Houston during an annual celebration last week.
The k-prep class from Helen Day Preschool Academy joined Alexandria seniors for a lively morning of crafts and dancing on Friday, Feb. 6. About a dozen students made handmade valentines for seniors, many of whom are regular visitors to the center.
“Seeing all these kids, it brought me to back to when I first started at the school system,” said Patsy Battle, who served Alexandria City Public Schools as a food service manager for 40 years. “They are so sweet.”
The nonprofit Hopkins House provides educational programs to nearly 40 students through the Helen Day academy and kids’ program for students ages 5 through 10. Last week, the school announced plans to construct a new location in the redeveloped Samuel Madden Homes community by late 2028 with $2.5 million in federal funding.
Principal Justin Thomas said he brought the class to the center “to just show love and give love to the seniors here in the Alexandria area.”
“This is why we decided to come, just to put some smiles on their faces,” Thomas said, as students and seniors sang songs like “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
The annual Valentine’s event is one of many programs and activities the center hosts for seniors, including regular shopping trips, exercise classes and seasonal celebrations. The center, operated through a city partnership with the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, sees about 20 regular participants every day, Assistant Manager Margaret Wilborn said.
Last week’s event was all about connection, Wilborn said.
“Sometimes, as we get older, we stay in the house, thinking we’re all right, and sometimes, we’re not all right,” Wilborn said. “We need to interact with other people … Some people are lonely and don’t even know it.”
Students left with goodie bags filled with items like spring toys and heart bead necklaces.
“We’re having a good time singing with them,” senior Harryette Anderson said. “They’re teaching us songs, and we’re teaching them real old songs, but they’re enjoying it, so we are too.”
Hopkins House estimates its new location will be able to serve at least 300 children, youth, and families annually while employing 25 to 30 education and support staff, according to a release. A capital campaign expected to start later this year will aim to raise the remaining $600,000 required to fully fund the expansion.
