Transformational Coach Cara Hopkins, Supervisor Kim De Serpa, Aptos Friend Pat Emard
By Carolyn Mish
Over the past three months, the Friends have hosted a trifecta of engaging workshops, all centered around the theme Social Isolation: Strategies for Understanding, Coping and Healing in a Disconnected World.
The three workshops were each hosted at the Aptos Branch Library and featured unique guest speakers. In January, Dr. Maureen Cahill of Aptos presented on the connection between isolation and physical health and wellness. In February, 2nd District Supervisor Kim DeSerpa, who is also a licensed clinical social worker, presented her perspective on loneliness and aging, with a unique focus on policy interventions to help combat the effects of isolation on our community. Finally, in March, transformational coach Cara Hopkins gave a practical talk centered on providing attendees with tools to help them forge new friendships in adulthood.
“We did the first one a year ago, and it was very successful, so we decided to do it again this year, but spread across three events with three speakers,” said organizer and Aptos Friend Pat Emard, who designed the program after wondering how to best combat isolation within her community.
After experiencing a personal loss in 2023, Emard dove into books about grief. One in particular — Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy — delves into the author’s perspective on isolation as an epidemic not just in America, but around the world. The book inspired Emard to do more research, share what she’d learned with her community, and bring them together in doing so.
“I just kept researching and researching, and eventually I really felt we ought to do this,” Emard said. “It worked really well.”
The series has been a resounding success, with many attendees and regular library patrons noting just how well received the programming has been. “We had over fifty people at each event,” Emard noted. “It was a great turnout. The speakers were fabulous. Each of them brought something unique and it was great.”
The events proved to be a great way to get people engaged and interacting with one another. Emard and other organizers aren’t sure whether they plan to repeat or redevelop the series in the future, or turn their attention to other causes the community may benefit from.
Check the calendar for many upcoming programs to stay connected to your community.
Carolyn Mish holds a position at the Division of Undergraduate Education at UCSC as a Student Writer. She reports on events and community stories in order to highlight voices and perspectives.
Photos courtesy of Kim De Serpa