Graduate Interns Drive Artistic Spirit at The Cambridge Homes

CAMBRIDGE, MA— Graduate students at Tufts University and Lesley University have found unique and fulfilling ways to connect with and care for the older adults in the Cambridge area. The universities’ internship programs in Occupational Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy combine creativity, selflessness, professionalism and problem solving to encourage growth for interns and residents. 

For doctoral student Tessa Cockerill, Tufts University’s Occupational Therapy internship at The Cambridge Homes was an eye-opening experience. The program encourages students to gain hands-on experience working with individuals in a small-group setting and build their leadership skills. Tessa collaborated with The Cambridge Homes’ EnrichedLIFE Director, Margit Griffith, to create and lead enriching activities for the residents focusing on creative artistic expression through drawing and painting. 

“My internship with The Cambridge Homes has been a fulfilling and enriching learning experience where I have felt truly supported by both residents and staff,” shares Tessa.

Now, Tessa is set to continue her internship at The Cambridge Homes. As part of her doctoral capstone project, she will also conduct research on residents who self-isolate and how to engage with them. She is excited to keep building bonds with the residents and let their artistic talents shine. 

Tessa says, “Leading an arts-based group and learning from the residents has been incredibly valuable, allowing me to build professional relationships and gain experience and knowledge that will carry with me to my future work as an occupational therapist.”

For Danny Reinan, who is pursuing an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy with a specialization in Drama Therapy at Lesley University, the opportunity to intern at The Cambridge Homes has made a huge impact. For his internship, Danny created and led a dramatic arts workshop for residents, promoting mental well-being through storytelling and other forms of creative expression. In this weekly small-group setting, Danny leads the residents in improvisation games and helps them with character work. The residents sharpen their acting and performance skills over the course of a few months as they study a play and develop their characters. As the residents did not want this exploration of the dramatic arts to end with Danny’s internship, he has eagerly stayed on as a fulltime vendor for The Cambridge Homes and continues to run his workshop once a week. 

“Our Graduate Expressive Therapies students have been interning at The Cambridge Homes for the past two years and have overwhelmingly loved the experience they have gained,” shares Chris Yang, LMHC, Interim Director of Field Training for the Expressive Therapies Division at Lesley University. “They have loved bringing expressive therapies to the community and have received so much support from the staff and supervisors at The Cambridge Homes.”

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A trusted senior community for over 135 years, the not-for-profit Cambridge Homes features 44

independent and assisted living apartments and offers residents a wide variety of cultural, educational, wellness and social programs. This gracious community is a good choice for individuals who wish to enjoy the many benefits of city living but who also desire security, personalized services and companionship. Learn more online at www.TheCambridgeHomes.org.