The Journey On… View All Posts

About The Journey On…

Jeff Getek is the public affairs manager for Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community in Silver Spring. Working with over 2,500 residents provides Jeff with an amazing opportunity to share their life experiences, adventures and continued contributions in the community. As one resident recently told Jeff, “retirement from a career... Read more

Discover Other Local Blogs

We have a great number of amazing blog posts contributed by our local bloggers. Discover what is happening in your neighborhood by reading their latest posts.

Around the RiderWORLD Highlights Diversity

Montgomery County is blessed to enjoy great cultural, ethnic and religious diversity within its population.  This provides ample opportunities to learn and grow from each other.

Recently, the residents and employees of Riderwood, the Erickson Living retirement community in Silver Spring, hosted Around the RiderWORLD.  The event was a lively celebration of the diversity found at the 120-acre campus.

Enjoy the wrap-up below, including three video reports from Aline Barros of Montgomery Community Media.

Riderwood is physically located in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, two of the most diverse jurisdictions in the State of Maryland.

It was fitting then that the Erickson Living retirement community of 2,500 residents and 1,200+ employees hosted Around the RiderWORLD on September 30th.

Sponsored by the Erickson Living Values Team and the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, the interactive event highlighted the cultural diversity found at Riderwood.

All told, residents and employees created twenty-four exhibits that showcased an array of cultural, religious, musical, ethnic and culinary contributions.  Those in attendance interacted at each exhibit through lively conversation and seeing colorful displays, photos and personal mementos.

Additionally, guests dined at food stations filled with delicious cuisine like beef empanadas, oriental spring rolls and miniature quiche.

Visitors were also entertained via a series of demonstrations on the main floor of Maryland Hall.  Residents and employees shared their talent through dance (Martin Swetnick’s Moving to the Latin Beat and Sylvia Koroma’s Jonny African Dance), music (Paul Forbes and Elizabeth White on the piano), poetry (Icie A. Jackson) and much more.

Chip Warner, Executive Director of Riderwood, told Montgomery Community Media during an interview that “we have a tremendous amount of diversity within our community both among our residents and our staff.  We looked for a way to bring different traditions and different perspectives together in one event.”

The Erickson Living Values Team is a committee that is dedicated to promoting the values and mission throughout Riderwood.  It is comprised of employees from a range of departments who are committed to what these values have to offer.

The Riderwood Diversity & Inclusion Committee works to ensure a welcoming, respectful and creative community.  It reviews and enhances the multiple ways in which diversity and inclusion are implemented and celebrated.

Special words of appreciation were provided to the Riderwood Catering Team, Arbor Ridge staff members and the General Services Department for their support of Around the RiderWORLD.

Three special reports from Montgomery County Media can be viewed here:

PFLAG: A family Support Group at Riderwood in Silver Spring

PFLAG

PFLAG- Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays- is a support group at Riderwood Senior Living Community in Silver Spring affiliated with the D.C. PFLAG Chapter. On this MyMCMedia Extra, Paulette Goodman, one of Riderwood’s PFLAG Co-founders, shared some the group’s mission statement. The group meets on the fourth Wednesday of every month for discussion, […]

Read more

Flavors, Colors, and Heritage: Diversity Celebration in Silver Spring (VIDEO)

Riderwood

It was an afternoon to celebrate differences and similarities. The third annual Riderwood Diversity Fair shared culture, heritage and lots of music. “We have a tremendous amount of diversity within our community both among our residents and our staff. We’re looking for way to bring different traditions, different perspectives together in one event,” said Chip Warner, […]

Read more

A Martial Arts That Focuses on Energy, Flexibility and Balance (VIDEO)

TaiChi

On this MyMCMedia extra, Chung-Jen Chang, a Tai Chi instructor at the Riderwood Senior Living Community, explains the health benefits of practicing Tai Chi.  

Read more
Like this post? Sign up for our Daily Update here.
Aline Barros

About Aline Barros

Aline Barros is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She can be reached at Abarros@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter at @AlineBarros2.

Comments

| Comments are closed.

Engage us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter