Page 3 - September 2020

Senior in Action:
Senior in Action: Toni Mosley Active, Working, Purposeful, Older Adult
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Senior in Action:
Toni Mosley
Active, Working, Purposeful, Older Adult
Active, Working, Purposeful, Older Adult
Active, Working, Purposeful, Older Adult
Active, Working, Purposeful, Older Adult
Toni Mosley
Toni Mosley
Toni Mosley
I transferred to other counseling positions
Senior in Action – Toni Mosley within L.A. CADA.”
As told to Marilee Marrero Stefenhagen Question: Did you attend concerts before
Question: How old are you, Toni? Tell NBY the health department closed music
readers about your passions. venues?
Toni Mosley: “I was born 65 years Toni Mosley: “I loved going to
ago in Toledo, Ohio where I spent most of concerts and always purchased the best
my young adult life. I don’t consider myself seats to observe the singer’s facial
a senior citizen, just a person trying to use expressions. Music soothes me. There are
my gifts and talents here and now. What lots of good musicians doing things online
nurtures my spirit is music, prayer, and being during the coronavirus pandemic. I can’t
around uplifting people; those who “believe get enough of good music; jazz, gospel,
in the beauty of their dreams.” I tell my clients, country western, I love it all! I let the
“Don’t feel limited or worried because of COVID- music and lyrics teach me and
19.” Take, for example, my 2020 vacation. I communicate life lessons. I’ve enjoyed
usually visit my friends or family in Texas combining my love of music with therapy
and Ohio, but instead took a STAYcation. I for women in transition.”
live near the ocean in Long Beach, so I walked Question: Are you part of an organized
to the beach where I found safe places to relax faith community?
and reflect. I took day trips, driving up the Toni Mosley: “I was involved in
coast, for a change of scenery.” three different churches due to my work
Question: What brought you to the Golden and school schedule. All three churches
State? now provide online worship with a good
Toni Mosley: “I completed my message. I admire the spiritual leaders
undergraduate degree in Psychology at the and others who are adapting to meet new
University of Cincinnati, and my Master’s health requirements; being creative,
Degree in Corrections from Xavier teaching and uplifting other people.”
University. But MUSIC was calling, so I Question: Do you like to cook?
relocated to California near my two uncles. Toni Mosley: “Oh yes! The best
I’m single, which allowed me time to develop part of fellowship is when you cook and
close relationships with my nieces and eat together. Two of my favorite cooking
nephews. I ‘d previously tried a music career friends are Filipinas. At our get-togethers,
in New York, but that city overwhelmed me. we go house to house, one served hors Toni Mosley, 65
In California, I took music classes and d’oeuvres, another cooked the main meal,
accepted a part-time job in Substance Abuse and the third served dessert. We would OK, NBY readers! Here’s your
Treatment, the same career I had in Ohio. travel to each other’s homes for every I use the gifts God has given me and challenge. Tell us how you are being
creative during this pandemic! Are you
My supervisors rewarded my work with course. Wonderful ambiance, and so much dedicate my service to the strong trying new recipes and sharing your
promotions. Eventually, music was relegated fun! Here’s a funny story about my friend women who mentored me.” cooking? Scrapbooking, or writing
to my part-time hobby as I focused full-time Rachel. She asked me to be in her wedding For more information about your memoir? Building playhouses in
on addiction treatment.” party, and I happily agreed. When I substance abuse treatment & counseling the backyard for the grandkids? We
Question: What drew you to the field of opened the invitation, I nearly fainted services offered during COVID-19 by want to hear your story. Submit c/o
substance abuse treatment? when I saw that the wedding ceremony L.A. CADA, visit www. lacada.com nbynews@juno.com or mail to Not Born
“I have two sisters, and one of them would be in the Philippines! But I booked or call (213) 6626-6411 Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822
struggled with addiction for many years. my flight, and her family put me up in a
After seeing what my sister and our family lovely hotel. What a great adventure in
experienced, I felt compelled to focus on culture and food; I had a ball!
female addicts. Addiction can destroy Question: Any parting thoughts for NBY
families. That’s why I’m pursuing my license readers?
in Marriage and Family Counseling. I “There are two special traits from
encourage addicts to forgive themselves and my parents which I admired, and try to
let go of guilt and shame. My biggest gift is incorporate into my life. My father had a
the ability to LISTEN. Sometimes no-one keen sense of humor. Laughter is
has ever really heard the addict’s story. In important in life, and I incorporate light-
2000, L.A. CADA (Los Angeles Centers for hearted humor in my work. I would say
Alcohol and Drug Abuse) started a program my mother was a “go-getter.” No-one
for incarcerated women who were pregnant bullied her. She stood up for her beliefs
or had babies, called the “Family Foundation and followed through on her promises. I
Program” which turned into my dream job. have a reputation for being an advocate
FFP allowed me to use my gifts to design the for my clients. I look at the emotionally
program. I fell in love with the moms and or mentally wounded and help them see
babies. When that program’s funding ended, their behavior in relation to early trauma. Social Distance Be In Charge of Your Safety

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