Villages of Santa Fe
Ensuring the health of our older generation
Ensuring the health of our older generation is of utmost importance. Exercise plays a crucial role in preventing falls, a strategy that can significantly enhance the health and well-being of our older adults. At Villages of Santa Fe, we understand the need for accessibility, so we offer exercise and lifestyle programs for older adults through convenient online classes and an extensive video library.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and independence is all about movement. Our nine weekly sessions focus on balance, flexibility, strength, and mental awareness. Led by experienced instructors who are also older adults, these classes are tailored to the specific needs of our older participants. Whether you need stretching, a calm mind, or a boost of strength, our instructors, Judith, Maria, kk, and Sharon, are here to guide you.
Great teachers offer a variety of classes to all levels of fitness. It keeps me motivated to exercise. Kathleen R.
Our strategies at Villages are not just effective; they are life-changing. By combining paid and free classes, we ensure that even adults on a fixed income can participate. The results speak for themselves—our participants report improved balance, fitness, and attitude. In other words, they are healthy, resilient, and engaged adults.
"I commonly refer those individuals who are struggling with social isolation and those who want to improve or maintain physical health. I have specific patients that have improved their balance and strength from the exercise classes. This has improved their overall quality of life by decreasing their fall risk and encouraging independence." — Ann Garcia, MD, CHRISTUS St. Vincent's Geriatric Medicine
We want to build a healthy community. By 2030, 32.5% of New Mexico's population will be 60 or older. Our programs serve older adults of all income levels without geographic constraints. Preventing falls is a lifesaving strategy for older adults that significantly impacts health, well-being, and independent living.
Since beginning online exercise classes in April 2020, our participants have logged over 50,000 attendances; 65.1% are over 65, and 59% live in Santa Fe or Santa Fe County. Our strength is our delivery method - a simple online platform.
With the help of Santa Fe Community Foundation and Las Campanas Community Fund, Villages is an excellent resource for older adults wanting to stay healthy and active and open to our entire New Mexico community and beyond.
"These classes have become a big part of my life. Thank you so very much for them and the instructors. Their impact has been huge in a very positive way!" — Lynn G.
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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited local nonprofits to submit stories related to our March topic of Senior Services.
New Mexico Environmental Law Center
As the only public interest nonprofit law center in the state focused on environmental justice, New Mexico Environmental Law Center's client-directed work prioritizes environmental issues that disproportionately impact Indigenous, Black, Latinx, rural and low-income communities. We advocate for equitable and just environmental laws and policies that protect the health and wellbeing of all New Mexicans.
Randall Davey Audubon Center
The Randall Davey Audubon Center is Santa Fe’s nature center, with over 185 acres of habitat, trails, wildlife gardens, a historic estate, outdoor classrooms, and a new Nature Discovery Area. Their mission is to conserve birds and the places they need for the benefit of wildlife, nature, and people. We do this work through partnerships and on-the ground efforts in conservation, science, policy, and education.
Quivira Coalition
For over 25 years, Quivira Coalition has helped foster resiliency not only in New Mexico's working lands, but also in the people who steward the land and the communities which rely on their vitality. Like almost everything in agriculture and social movements, change has to start at the ground level, and for Quivira, that means prioritizing soil health to help combat the climate crisis.
