Gage Samaddar and Aani Nagaiah, co-founders of Our Ode To You / Supplied

Arizona-based Indian-American high schoolers Aani Nagaiah and Gage Samaddar through their non-profit Our Ode To You (OOTY) recently brought joy to elders with art and music in multiple care facilities.

The students started OOTY with a belief that art and music should be accessible to everyone no matter their age or background. “It’s all about the joy of creation,” Nagaiah, a student at Arcadia High School told NIA in an email interview.

OOTY pairs up talented young people with the elderly to help spark a sense of happiness in them, Samaddar explained. 

Talking about the inspiration behind OOTY, Nagaiah, who volunteers at several locations alongside running her non-profit, said she realized a need for the initiative after volunteering at a memory care hospice facility. 

“After playing my flute as a musical volunteer at a memory care hospice facility, I felt as though something was missing— that there was creativity within these seniors that could not be shown through the dull facility that they were in,” she said.

 

Seniors engaging in musical activities arranged by Our Ode To You / Supplied

Noting that creativity takes a backseat to routine in nursing homes,  Nagaiah said it often leads to a sense of meaninglessness. Samaddar added that their nonprofit is significant as it not only addresses the issue but also helps to enhance the creative talents of volunteers. 

“When you find a simple way to harness creative mindsets through community work, everyone’s excited,” he said. 

A typical OOTY session at senior care facilities starts with an art activity during which the seniors are guided through prompts to engage their minds. The second portion is the music portion, in which the seniors play the instruments that volunteers bring.

“They range from simple touch instruments like maracas to guitars, violins, and ukuleles. We’ve even had a Carnegie Hall alumni who serenaded us with his violin playing,” Nagaiah mentioned. While the two founders interact with seniors once a fortnight, other volunteers show up more often, they said.

Notably, the high schoolers encourage young people to start their own OOTY chapters. “We provide all the support for starting out and it will lead them to a lot of rewards and successes through community service, described up front,” Samaddar explained. 

Those willing to volunteer with OOTY may do so by reaching out to their email or Instagram page.