In the fall of 2003, the Werner and Elaine Dannheisser Testamentary Trust awarded HAI a grant of $120,000 to expand services to elderly individuals in New York City. In the first six months, this grant reached 14,656 seniors with 183 events. These included:

* 176 performances held in nursing homes, reaching an audience of 11,600. Performances were presented by professional artists in a variety of disciplines - music, dance, theatre, circus arts and more.

* 7 HAI Special Events performances reached 3,056 seniors.

The Little Blackberries, Hebrew Home for the Aged, January 2004

"Thank you for the wonderful program for Martin Luther King Jr. Day! What could be better than a group of talented, enthusiastic, energetic teenagers performing for an adoring and responsive audience of nursing home residents? This was a great experience for both the teens and the residents....

"Our elderly residents are getting more and more frail. They can no longer get out and about to enjoy the rich cultural offerings of our beloved city. Your HAI In-Facility programs fulfill a very important need in nursing home programming.” Barbara Brian, Director Therapeutic Activities.

Nytehawke, Gurwin Jewish Geriatric Center, May 2004

"Nytehawke mesmerized the audience. What a singer! Each time I announce and post that we are going to have an HAI performance, not only do residents make sure they have nothing on their schedule to interfere with the date but families as well come in to spend quality time with the residents.” Karen Nash, Therapeutic Recreation Director

Scarborough Trio, University Nursing Home, May 2004

"Tom Caffari... told the residents that they were taking a musical trip to the South of the Border, Mexico, as he displayed the virtuosity of the
keyboard... The Scarborough Trio gave thirty-one residents a chance to enjoy the sound of another culture and to be reacquainted to the famous ballroom dance “The Tango”. As they played familiar instrumental tunes, the residents chimed in with their voices, especially one who resounded louder than all because he loves to sing.

“Personally I was impressed with the way the music affected the wanderers. They either danced or sat quietly listening. One Cuban born lady had such a sweet expression on her face while she danced and appeared to be reminiscing.” Tonkya De Havia, Director of Recreation

New York Mandolin Orchestra,Isabella Geriatric Center, Jan 2004

"Thank you, Dannheisser Testamentary Trust. What magnificence you provide. Our audience, which does not applaud consistently, applauded consistently. Residents with dementia who often wander sat mesmerized. One resident who often talks nonstop in Spanish was silent and stated to staff ‘ta buena’, it’s good.” Lesley Halliday, Director of Recreation

Timmy Cappello, Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, April 2004

"The Therapeutic Activities Department strives to maintain a high quality of life for the residents, including maintaining contact with the community and with the arts. Mr. Cappello’s concert served all these goals. This means so much to the residents because so few of them can leave the nursing home to attend a concert. We are so very grateful.” Vicky Youngman, Director of Therapeutic Activities

Carolina Slim, JASA, February 2004

"Without the musical performances which you provide to our residents, our people would rarely see any live performance...Our program would be dreary and extremely limited without the continued support in the form of live performances from your organization and your funders.” Sheryl Reed, Program Director

Music from China, Greenpark Care Center, February 2004

"One resident, of Chinese extraction, who has been refusing to leave his unit for months, came and said he felt “energized” by the performance, and will now consider coming to more events and programs! Events such as this show our Chinese speaking residents that their arts and culture are respected, and can be enjoyed by those who aren’t Chinese, helping to create a bond between us all at Greenpark!” Risa Segan, Director of Activities.