Meet Lauren Grattopp of Central Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Grattopp

Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started riding horses when I was around 9 years old. I absolutely fell in love with it and from then on I knew I wanted horses to be a part of my life forever. When I hit high school, I made friends with a couple girls in my class who had developmental disabilities. They quickly became my friends and I found that I loved being around them and working with them. My aunt introduced the idea of Equine Therapy to me and from the time I was 13 that became my goal.

When I got to college, I realized I should probably have a bit more of a broad background than just Equine Therapy which lead me to Recreational Therapy! I got my Bachelor’s of Science from Arizona State University in Therapeutic Recreation and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) the summer I graduated.

Throughout college and after graduating, I worked heavily with kids, teens and adults who had developmental disabilities. I had the opportunity to work in many different settings, including Equine Therapy! After a year or so, I found I was feeling burnt out, unfulfilled, and had found myself in some tough working environments. I started looking into working with seniors and was able to gain experience with them by doing mobile activities at different assisted living facilities. It wasn’t anything I ever thought I would do since my main background was kids and disabilities, but it opened my eyes to a whole new world and population that I was missing out on!

When I was looking for a new job, I got back in contact with a woman I had previously worked with who is a Licensed Geriatric Social Worker. She had a team of investors who were ready to start a day program for seniors, aka the Vintage Silver Center, and needed someone to create and run its Recreational Therapy based program! We have been working together since the beginning of the year and are launching on August 1st! It’s all in the “power of connection!”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I worked at some places I thought were my dream jobs or that were perfect situations for me and quickly realized it wasn’t all I had dreamed of it being. My professional journey has been filled with a lot of deep hurt and pain but at the same time I made connections with people that today I cannot imagine my life without! Although it hurt in the moment, I wouldn’t take back anything (and I know it sounds cheesy), because without it I wouldn’t be who I am today or where I am today!

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, otherwise known as a Recreational Therapist. I am the Program Director of the Vintage Silver Center, which is a Recreational Therapy based day program for seniors in Central Phoenix!

Along with our senior programs, we are known as the central resource hub that provides connections for families of seniors and professionals in the industry. We host support groups for families and caregivers as well as offer affordable Continuing Education Hours.

I am most proud that I have been able to advocate so heavily for the field of Recreational Therapy. Not many people know what it is or value it in healthcare fields. I like to say that everyone knows what PT, OT, and ST is, but why do those if you can’t then go and do what makes you, you? That’s where Recreational Therapy comes in!

What sets us apart is our Therapeutic Recreation foundation. Recreational Therapy is a purposeful, holistic process that intentionally uses your unique leisure interests to meet your strengths and goals. People of all ages, stages and diagnoses can benefit from it because it is completely based on you!

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The Vintage Silver Center is an incredible place where seniors who are experiencing boredom and loneliness can have a community. It’s a place where their families can feel supported and uplifted. It’s where professionals can come to connect and develop their skills to best serve their communities.

We are opening August 1st! I would love to talk more with anyone who is interested in the program or just wants to learn more.

Pricing:

• Package #1: 120hrs @ $18/hr
• Package #2: 90hrs @ $20/hr
• Package #3: 60hrs @ $22/hr
• Package #4: 30hrs @ $25hr
• * All packages can be used within 90 days of purchase.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vintagesilvercenter.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vintagesilvercenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Vintage-Silver-Center/61557722529518/?_rdr&checkpoint_src=any