San Ramon Student Writes, Distributes Over 1,000 Activity Booklets To Memory Care Centers Nationwide

SAN RAMON, CA — A Dougherty Valley High School junior donated more than 1,000 activity booklets to over 40 memory care centers across the country through her nonprofit Harmonizing Minds.

Laasya Munjeti founded Harmonizing Minds after spending a year volunteering at the Parkview Senior Memory Care Center in Pleasanton, where she worked closely with residents with conditions like Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. She noticed how small moments of joy and engagement improved their moods.

“I came up with the idea for the booklet because I wanted to design an activity that seniors could enjoy both independently and in groups, something that was easy to understand while still interesting and stimulating enough to engage their minds,” Munjeti told Patch. She printed a few copies of the booklets, which include crossword puzzles, word searches, and a section called "Walking Down Memory Lane" with prompts about favorite holidays, movies, or memories.

“I learned that these types of activities provide both cognitive engagement and moments of calm enjoyment,” she said.

Munjeti used a stipend from a past internship at Kaiser Permanent to print the booklets in bulk. She then collaborated with the American Progressive Telugu Association to distribute the booklets to memory care centers across the country.

“The response from memory care centers has been incredibly heartwarming,” she said. “Caregivers have shared that residents look forward to the booklets and often gather together to complete puzzles or color. One coordinator from Sunrise of Cary, North Carolina, told me the booklets improved residents’ moods and encouraged more participation in group activities. Knowing that something I created could brighten their day motivates me to keep expanding my efforts.”

She now hopes to release seasonal editions of the booklets, and partner with additional memory care facilities.

SEE ALSO:

• San Ramon Students Organize Wellness Days, Website For Teen Mental Health
• San Ramon Students Win A Total Of $15K In Community Event Competition
• San Ramon Student Writes Financial Literacy Book For Kids