People Program ignites many hidden interests

By Macie Capote
Clarion Herald

At a time when inflation and the cost of living have sky-rocketed, the People Program NOLA, an educational non-profit for seniors, has not kept up with the times. Intending to keep as many seniors as possible in the Greater New Orleans area engaged and involved in a community and out of isolation, the People Program has kept its prices low.

“We try to keep it that way so many can afford it,” said Jan Martino, the People Program’s Lakeshore program coordinator. 

For just $200 during a 15-week semester, students can take as many classes as they want. From jewelry making and painting, yoga and pickleball to Bible studies and writing memoirs, the People Program offers more than 175 different classes across its three campuses. 

In the 1970s, the Archdiocese of New Orleans encouraged the Catholic community to be more intentional about having programs for seniors.

Taking that suggestion to heart, the program just celebrated its 50th year in business, being founded in 1974 by Sister Alice Marie Macmurdo of the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

“She wanted to develop a community of people who were retired and still wanted to have a purpose in their lives, to come together and share their gifts,” Martino said.

Grown to 1,000 students

Starting with only 35 people, the People Program community has grown by leaps and bounds with now to over 1,000 students annually and over 125 volunteer teachers and assistants across the Lakeshore, Westbank and online campuses. 

Funded by tuition payments, Martino said that the People Program’s main goal is to “provide a place to come together to learn, to laugh, to connect and to feel great about what the day has in store for each person.”

“These are vibrant people who want to stay vibrant and make sure that they’re aging healthily,” she said. “As we get older the most essential way to stay healthy is not just through exercise and what we eat, but also through connection to a community and building relationships.”

Martino proved to be right. According to a study conducted by Harvard University on adult happiness, cultivating relationships as you age is the key to staying healthy. 

“The major cause of rapid aging is isolation,” Martino said. “That doesn’t mean loneliness, it means no connection. If we don’t have fun, we lose our soul.”

In light of this, Martino said the People Program tries to provide classes that cover three important aspects of our lives: mind, body and spirit. 

Martino said she believes they’ve achieved in these areas because the energy that radiates throughout their building is contagious. 

“Energy is not just a physical thing, it’s also a spiritual thing,” she said. “It’s so important that we feel good not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.” 

Student Meg Cahill said it would be a missed opportunity for someone to pass up the possibility of being inspired and excited by new knowledge and skills at the People Program.

“I’m surrounded by like-minded people taking classes that interest me and making friends at the same time. I’m taking guitar, yoga, tap dance, pickleball and paper-flower folding,” she said.  “With all volunteer teachers and a terrific staff, the People Program has a very friendly and accepting atmosphere.”

Martino highlighted one of the program’s largest communities – the art community – where students and teachers alike have found their calling. She recalled one of the art teachers who had never drawn until joining the People Program and has now gone on to win awards for her art. 

“There are people here who never knew they had a gift until they started here,” Martino said.

Former employee, now student, Jane Dassey, agrees with this sentiment, saying that no one is ever too old to learn.

“The spirit of People Program is contagious,” Dassey said. “Meeting new people and being creative in so many ways is what retired life is all about.”

The People Program also has many activities outside of the classroom, with a Fall Festival in October, an annual gala and an end-of-the-year showcase.

Register for the summer or fall semester by going to https://www.peopleprogram.org/, or by calling (504) 284-7678. The fall semester begins Aug. 26.

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