Program creates social connections for older adults in Southside Virginia
November-December 2025
Margaret Wong demonstrates the proper brush strokes in a Chinese calligraphy class. (courtesy Community Matters)
by Laura Emery, Staff Writer
Simon and Margaret Wong are all smiles as they greet people filing into the Pocahontas Landmark Center in Powhatan, Va., for a ukulele and dulcimer concert.
Their matching T-shirts, which read “Ask Me About Community Matters,” hint at the pride they have for the program that has given them a true sense of belonging.
The Wongs’ journey to Powhatan began in 2006 when they left behind the busy streets of Chicago, Ill. — and, before that, their childhood home in Hong Kong — for the winding back roads and vast, open fields of Powhatan County.
The Wongs quickly settled into their new home, which is served by Southside Electric Cooperative. “At night, it was so dark that we couldn’t see our fingers. It was scary and exciting at the same time,” says Simon, who had just retired from the pharmaceutical industry.
Between Margaret’s career in software engineering and the arrival of their first grandchild, there was little time for making new connections within the community.
Then, one afternoon while reading Powhatan Today, the Wongs discovered an article about the Community Matters program encouraging residents to get involved.
For the Wongs, it was the invitation they had been waiting for.
LEARNING, SHARING, BELONGING
Jane Lloyd
The Community Matters program was created to address the need among adults 55 and older for in-person opportunities to connect, foster personal growth, pursue lifelong learning and build a strong sense of belonging through the community. The program is administered by the Department of Social Services in Powhatan County.
Jayne Lloyd, the program’s coordinator, saw how deeply the senior demographic was impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic and created the program in response to those needs. “During COVID, we learned how important neuroplasticity, brain health and social connection was for older residents — and I wanted to do something about it,” she says.
Community Matters isn’t limited to Powhatan County residents. “It’s for anyone 55 and older from Powhatan County, or surrounding counties, who is interested and able to attend,” she says.
The program offers free classes and interactive sessions on a wide range of topics, as well as presentations from inspirational speakers. Classes previously offered include disability awareness, neuroplasticity, mental health, elder law, technology and Medicare resources. Participants have also enjoyed fitness activities, learned to play musical instruments and explored new languages.
“We’ve had everything from cane self-defense, Pilates and tai chi classes to seasonal crafting workshops, history presentations and game days. These examples highlight just how diverse our programming is,” she says. Lloyd encourages people to inquire about the program’s current offerings.
Simon has led several Community Matters classes on writing, a personal passion he enjoys sharing with others. He most recently hosted “Writers/Readings,” where participants were invited to come listen to local authors and writers read aloud from their work.
Margaret has taught origami and Chinese calligraphy. “We enjoy sharing our culture — as well as our knowledge and experiences with others,” she says.
“Simon and Margaret enjoy opportunities to learn, connect and experience, but they — like many others — also step in to help in any way they can. They believe in the concept because of what it has meant in their own lives,” Lloyd says.
Adults learn tai chi during a class offered through the Community Matters program. (courtesy Community Matters)
MEETING A NEED
At the heart of the Community Matters program is its mission to prioritize the needs and well-being of residents 55 and older — while celebrating the diversity of experiences, talents and perspectives that they bring to Southside Virginia. The program wouldn’t be what it is without Lloyd.
“Jayne is resourceful and creative. The variety of programs she has put together appeals to all types of people from different socioeconomic statuses, and she continues to adapt the program to meet the expressed needs of the community,” says Meghan Carroll, director of social services for Powhatan County.
In September 2023, Lloyd was featured on WWBT/ NBC12’s Acts of Kindness on-air feature. “The seniors [participating in the program] nominated her,” Carroll points out. “It takes time to get that kind of trust and respect from your community, and Jayne has done it.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced many into isolation, Lloyd made it a priority to look after the community’s older residents. She secured funding, purchased and divided food and supplies, mapped routes, and coordinated with volunteer teams to deliver items to residents 60 years and older who needed the support.
“Jayne has done — and continues to do — everything she can to help older adults in our community get what they need and stay connected,” Carroll says. “Community Matters is a program that the community can be proud of.”
Community Matters also empowers participants to give back in meaningful ways. Through the HumbleBee Project, participants create, tag and package blankets that are delivered to the Children’s Hospital of Richmond to provide warmth and comfort to children navigating the challenges of medical care. The motto: “Show up. Do good. Be kind. Make a difference.”
“We invite anyone who wants to come and help. It’s an opportunity to socialize and connect with others while plugging into the opportunity to bless the children at the hospital who get to take the blankets home after medical treatment,” Lloyd explains.
Margaret and Simon Wong are pictured in their Community Matters shirts. (by Laura Emery)
STAYING CONNECTED
The Wongs now wear their Community Matters shirts proudly — not just as participants but as unofficial ambassadors. To anyone willing to listen, they’re quick to share how the program has made their retirement years more vibrant, purposeful and connected.
“It is not just about giving people our age something to do. It’s about connections and providing meaning and purpose to life. It’s about belonging,” Simon explains.
Margaret adds, “This program is important to us.”
For more information, contact Jayne Lloyd at 804-698-0438 or visit facebook.com/communitymatters.
POWER IN PLAYING
Studies show that playing musical instruments with others helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve memory and brain health, directly impacts natural healing processes, and fosters social connection. Community Matters offered dulcimer and ukulele practices on alternating Tuesdays — culminating in a concert on Sept. 24.
Donald Warf, a member of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, found his way to Powhatan, two hours away from his hometown of Nokesville, after reading about the Community Matters concert in Cooperative Living’s Happenings column.
He says, “The mountain dulcimer and ukulele concert was well worth the drive from Nokesville to Powhatan. … Given the enjoyment on the faces of both the musicians and audience, I would say that this performance was a success and a testament to community engagement.”