TIME TOGETHER - ADULT DAY PROGRAM

• Mel Watson - Director

  

  Phone – (360) 321-1623
  Email – mel@islandseniorservices.org

  Born in the United Kingdom and growing up in Australia, Mel has over 25 years of experience in leadership for project management as an international independent musician. She has collaborated with numerous, non-profits and has collaborated on professional works in music and dance for people with special needs. Mel has been a caregiver to family members and has been serving participants and their families at Time Together Adult Day Services for 3 years. Mel has a deep respect for all people, and is committed to offering high quality meaningful programming, honoring the participants, their families and the community that she serves, by being present to their needs and wishes. Mel proudly continues the almost 20 year legacy of care that Time Together Adult Day Services has provided to caregivers and their families. Mel is a Buddhist meditation practitioner and has been teaching meditation in Seattle, and on Whidbey Island for over 10 years. She lives on Whidbey Island with her Spouse, and their menagerie of feathered and furry family members. 

• Melanie Lowie - Program Coordinator South Program

  

  Melanie brings to the table years of experience as an adult and youth theater director, and is a trained actor and singer. She has enjoyed similar work with special needs youth in a day program in Illinois. She finds this work – assisting and honoring elders with needs, as well as their caregivers – personally meaningful, as she has struggled in her family life with Alzheimer’s. Melanie’s commitment to offering meaningful, thoughtful engagement at Time Together is palpable, her positive energy gives an infectious joy to those she serves. Melanie lives on Whidbey Island with her dog, Quentin Tiberius. She enjoys classical and modern music, opera, theater, literature, dance, comedy, animals and nature.

• Sydney Coughlin - Program Coordinator North Program

  Born in Pensacola Florida, the daughter of a Naval Officer, Sydney traveled the world before finally calling Oak Harbor, Washington her home in 2009 at the age of 16. She attended Oak Harbor High School and graduated with the class of 2011. Her senior year, she participated in the Medical Internship, and graduated with the qualifications for her certified nursing assistant license.

  The summer following graduation Sydney accepted her first job as a specialized Dementia and Alzheimer caregiver at Home Place of Oak Harbor. After 2 years of caregiving, Sydney was promoted to the Life Enrichment Activity Coordinator of Home Place. She was solely responsible to implement and execute daily enriching activities that provided a sense of excitement and purpose to the everyday life of residents’. Following her job as the Life Enrichment Activity Director, Sydney broadened her experience by accepting a position as a home care aide with autistic children.

  Sydney is an avid artist and gardener, she spends her free time painting with acrylics, or growing plants and vegetables in her home. She is a rescue mother of a three-year-old German Shepherd, who stole her heart without speaking a word. Sydney enjoys taking him on hikes, and trips to the beach to swim.

  Sydney, a naturally compassionate, caring human being who strives to brighten the days of those around her. Sydney’s background with mental illness and developmental disabilities has provided her with the skills and resources to thrive in this atmosphere.