Arlington Alliance for the Mentally Ill (AMI) will host its monthly support group meeting for family members and friends of persons suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, at the Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 1500 N. Glebe Road. Call Richard and Betsy Greer at 703-525-8616.
The Arlington Red Cross, 4333 Arlington Blvd., will hold its Red Cross Summer Youth Program Orientation for children 12-18, and their parents or guardians, on Thursday, May 30, from 7-9 p.m. Attendees will learn about summer volunteer opportunities, including group activities such as park cleanups, nursing home visits and food deliveries, hospital and nonprofit administrative support, and First Aid and safety skill training for children at summer day camps. To sign up , call Jennifer at 703-527-3010, Ext. 705, or e-mail ricejen@usa.redcross.org.
CrisisLink will hold its annual volunteer awards gala and silent auction on Friday, June 7. This year’s theme is “A Monumental Affair.” The nonprofit organization, which provides a 24-hour hot line and provides referrals for callers seeking information and support, is seeking corporate and community sponsors, as well as donations for the auction. For more information, call Stacy Brooks at 703-516-6768, or visit www.crisislink.org.
The Volunteer Recognition Luncheon for the Arlington United Way will be held on Friday, June 7, at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway. Reception is at 11:30 a.m., lunch at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m. Speakers include Arlington County manager Ron Carlee. Award winners include Patricia Skonier of Northern Virginia Community Hospital, CrisisLink, St. George’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry and SRA International. Cost is $25 per person. Call 703-522-0606.
The End-of-the-Year Potluck Supper will be held at Clarendon House, 3141 N. 10th St., at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12. Join the Arlington Alliance for the Mentally Ill, The Friends of Clarendon House Inc. and The Members of Clarendon House for this annual event. Bring a main dish, salad or dessert for five or six people. Donations may also be made to The Friends of Clarendon House, 3141 N. 10th St., Arlington, VA 22201, to help defray costs. Call Clarendon House at 703-228-5236.
The Arlington Center for Well-Being, at 3800 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 5, offers workshops throughout the year. Call 703-522-7710 to register and for fees:
v Inner Transformation, a weekly support group for people who want to look at personal issues that get in the way of healthy relationships. Requires a minimum six-week commitment on Sundays at 5 p.m. Cost is $30 per session;
v Being Heard, Being Healed. This weekly group gives members a place to share their stories and experiences for a healing transformation. Thursdays, from 8-10 p.m.
The Arlington County Seniors in Action program offers a wide range of activities for seniors 55 and over. Fitness programs include aerobic exercise classes, strength training, walking groups, water aerobics, line dancing, square dancing, tennis, bowling, golf, yoga and Tai Chi. Join the Senior Adult Programs for $5 annually and access all activities. In some instances, an additional cost, such as $2 a class, may be necessary. Call 703-228-4744.
v Computer Classes. The Office of Senior Adult Programs and Arlington County Adult Education have collaborated in designing computer classes for seniors. A five-class session is available at $25 per class or separate classes at $28 per class. The classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Clarendon Education Center (old Sears building). Call 703-228-7200 to register.
v Cyber Seniors/Cyber Teens is a program of youth teaching seniors how to use the computer, Internet and e-mail. Each course consists of four 1-hour sessions taught at a local school or senior center at a cost of $20 per class. Currently there are three basic instruction courses being offered, a health-related course and classes in Word and Excel. Individuals over 50 are eligible to register for the classes by calling Joyce Bissonette at 703-228-6425.
v Senior Wellness. Kristen Taranto, senior wellness programmer, Office of Senior Adult Programs, meets weekly with seniors at Aurora Hills and Lee senior action centers. Taranto discusses ways to access county services and programs available to seniors.
She will be at Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18th St., on Mondays at 10 a.m., and at Lee, 5722 Lee Highway, on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. There is no fee.
v Fitness and Exercise. Seniors who belong to the county’s Office of Senior Adult Programs, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, are eligible to use the fitness and exercise equipment at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. Second St., free of charge. Hours are Monday-Friday, from 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Participants pay a $5 annual registration fee, which allows them access to the fitness programs, as well as any program at senior centers countywide.
v Hearing Loss. A demonstration of small listening devices to help seniors with hearing difficulties will be held Wednesday, May 22, at 11 a.m., at the Gunston and Drew Senior Centers at the Carver Community Center. No fee. Newcomers welcome. Call 703-228-5700 for details.
v Walking Club. The Lee Walkers at Lee Senior Action Center will travel to Huntley Meadows Place for their weekly walk on Friday, May 24, at 10 a.m. Fee is $2.50. Newcomers welcome. Call to register, 703-228-0555.