Hello Friends,
I hope you are all doing well! I’m excited to be writing to you today from the newly minted Empowered Aging HQ! You may have heard the news that we changed our organization name to Empowered Aging. If not, I’m proud to welcome you to this new chapter we’re embarking on.
As you may know, our organization has been boots-on-the-ground advocates for residents in long-term care for over 50 years. But, with each passing year, we’ve continued to grow, expanding our vision and reach for elder justice and services provided to seniors, adults with disabilities, and their families. I’m so proud to say that our organization has become full service, answering the call for innovative solutions to the toughest issues facing a vulnerable and fast-growing population, especially here in California. After a lot of discussion, work, and investment, we decided it was time to embrace who we’ve become, leading a movement of older adults through programs like Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassurance, Healthcare Career Pathway, Healthcare Career Pathway, elder abuse prevention, systemic work, and so much more. Uniting a powerful force of stakeholders, partners, communities, and individuals, Empowered Aging is driving a new era of comprehensive support services and education.
If you weren’t able to join us last week for our big virtual reveal celebration, you can watch a replay on our website and find some fun digital party favors to help you show support for Empowered Aging. I want to say a special thank you to Senator Bill Dodd, Congressman DeSaulnier, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, our Board President Michelle Hasan, and Vice President Robert Jacques for taking part in our announcement event. I’d also like to thank all of our partners who have made the name change and celebration possible including, Q2Mark, Nina Pomeroy Photography, Kalina Institute, MIGHTYminnow, Nicole Sylvester Designs, and Fast Signs Pleasant Hill.
I know many of you are our long-time partners, but if you’re new here or are looking to join our team, please consider becoming a monthly donor or joining one of our volunteer openings.
Thank you all, again, for being here and for supporting our mission. I want to wish you all a safe and happy Fourth of July, wherever you may be celebrating. I hope you will continue reading for more about our transition to Empowered Aging.
Best wishes,
Nicole Howell
Executive Director
What Does Empowered Aging Mean to You?
Over the last few months, we’ve been digging into the meaning behind our new identity. We’ve been discussing the journey in aging, how older adults, adults with disabilities, and their families define what Empowered Aging looks like. We’ve also been discussing what that means to each of us. Below we’re featuring a few of our team members and their responses.
Meet Brenna Benjamin, Community Engagement Coordinator, Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassurance – Solano. Listen in for her response!
Over the last few months, we’ve been digging into the meaning behind our new identity. We’ve been discussing the journey in aging, how older adults, adults with disabilities, and their families define what Empowered Aging looks like. We’ve also been discussing what that means to each of us. Below we’re featuring a few of our team members and their responses.
Meet Brenna Benjamin, Community Engagement Coordinator, Friendly Visiting and Telephone Reassurance – Solano. Listen in for her response!
Meet Carlene Ancheta, Regional Supervisor in Contra Costa. To her, Empowered Aging means having the confidence and control over decisions in your life, whether that be quality of life or quality of care received. It means having the support and resources to comfort you throughout the aging process and know that you are still the center of it all.
Join Our Friendly Visiting Team
Meet Sam, an 83-year-old gentleman from Guyana. He is a lover of board games, enjoys reading, going for walks, and listening to older Middle Eastern music. He is also fluent in a variety of languages, including French, English, Latin, and Arabic. Sam is looking for a friend to learn a new language with, play games, or just to have a good laugh. If you or someone you know is available in the early afternoon to spend time with him, please consider joining our Friendly Vising volunteer team! For more information, visit our program page.
