Legos are now providing resident of Presidential Place in Cranston and Olmsted Gardens in Providence with a fun, creative challenge.

A new initiative called the Unleash Builder Lego Pilot Program provides seniors with the principles of building with Legos, with a focus on overcoming obstacles, creating a good environment and fostering a sense of accomplishment.

Spearheaded by Armine Donabedian, community life service coordinator at Presidential Place located at 70 Lincoln Ave. and Olmsted Gardens located at 3 Olmsted Way in Providence, the program kicked off on Sept. 11 at Presidential Place, a senior housing unit.

Donabedian attended the 2019 New England Resident Service Coordinator Conference, which was held in North Falmouth, Massachusetts, in May.

“During this conference, I had signed up to take a workshop called ‘Innovative Programming for the Future in Aging Communities’ by Loretta Marino Sanford. There is a wave of new ideas, approaches, and techniques needed to adjust to changes and demands to improve the quality of lives in aging communities,” Donabedian said.

Participants in the workshop were instructed on how to identify tips and techniques to evaluate programs, and how to stay ahead of the curve on keys issues such as bullying, inclusion, and community engagement.

“Throughout the workshop, we explored and shared ideas, case studies and stories on innovative programs throughout New England, and their impact on these communities,” Donabedian said. “When I returned from the conference, my operation manager, Theresa Smith, along with the community manager, Edgar Belliard, and I sat down and discussed that it would be a wonderful opportunity to have this pilot program at Presidential Place along with our sister building Olmsted Gardens working together and coming together to work as one.”

She added: “We are the only two buildings for elders in the state of Rhode Island chosen to participate in this pilot program.”

The city of Providence provided transportation to Presidential Place and Mayor Allan Fung was on hand to see the program in action.

The pilot program will take place in four sessions. The first was held on Sept. 11, and future sessions will be held on Wednesdays in October, November and December.

“This pilot program includes both sites coming together at Presidential Place and working together,” Donabedian said. “This is the first time that this has happened.”

She added: “We are excited with the response of our residents. We are looking forward to the following three sessions.”